From the Guidelines
Creatine monohydrate does not have established benefits for neurological conditions, and its use is not recommended without further research, as evidenced by a lack of supportive data in the literature 1. When considering the potential benefits of creatine monohydrate, it is essential to prioritize the most recent and highest quality studies. However, in the context of neurological benefits, the current evidence is limited and inconclusive. The study published in The Lancet Neurology in 2010 1 found no clear benefit of creatine in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and did not establish recommendations for its use. Some potential benefits of creatine monohydrate include:
- Enhancing exercise performance
- Increasing muscle strength However, these benefits are not directly related to neurological conditions, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential effects of creatine monohydrate on the brain. Key points to consider when evaluating the use of creatine monohydrate include:
- Lack of supportive data in the literature
- No established recommendations for use in neurological conditions
- Potential for renal dysfunction with creatine use, particularly in individuals with pre-existing kidney issues 1. In real-life clinical practice, it is crucial to exercise caution when considering the use of creatine monohydrate, especially in the absence of strong evidence supporting its benefits for neurological conditions.
From the Research
Benefits of Creatine Monohydrate
- Increases muscle performance in short-duration, high-intensity resistance exercises 2
- Enhances postexercise recovery, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and exercise capacity when used with short-duration, high-intensity exercise 3
- Increases lean muscle mass and strength gains 3, 4
Potential Neurologic Benefits
- Has neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo, protecting against excitotoxicity and β-amyloid toxicity 5
- May provide protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) 5
- Shows promise in the treatment of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, with ongoing clinical trials for Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease 5
Safety and Adverse Effects
- Generally considered safe and well-tolerated in healthy individuals, with few adverse effects reported 2, 3
- May cause transient water retention in the early stages of supplementation, and liver and renal complications when combined with other supplements or taken at higher than recommended doses for several months 2
- No significant effects on kidney function in healthy athletes and bodybuilders with no underlying kidney diseases, but caution is advised for individuals with pre-existing kidney disease or those at risk for kidney dysfunction 6