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Creatine: Difference between revisions
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===Blood Sugar Regulation=== | ===Blood Sugar Regulation=== | ||
Creatine supplementation has shown potential in managing blood sugar levels by increasing the body's ability to utilize glucose as metabolic fuel. This is particularly beneficial for diabetic individuals. Studies have shown creatine supplementation alongside moderate exercise improves oral glucose tolerance test results, indicating creatine's potential benefit in blood sugar regulation. | Creatine supplementation has shown potential in managing blood sugar levels by increasing the body's ability to utilize glucose as metabolic fuel. This is particularly beneficial for diabetic individuals. Studies have shown creatine supplementation alongside moderate exercise improves oral glucose tolerance test results, indicating creatine's potential benefit in blood sugar regulation. | ||
==Potential Therapeutic Role== | |||
== Potential | |||
=== Creatine Deficiency Syndrome === | === Creatine Deficiency Syndrome === | ||
Robust evidence highlights the significance of creatine on cognitive function, particularly observed in individuals with creatine deficient syndromes known to deplete brain creatine stores. Creatine deficiency syndrome is marked by mental and developmental disorders, including learning delays and seizures. Notably, these symptoms are, to some extent, reversed by creatine supplementation. Human studies have yielded mixed results. While some studies have discovered benefits on cognitive functioning, others found no such effects, as comprehensively reviewed by Roschel and colleagues in 2022. {{#pmid:35267907|pmid35267907}} | Robust evidence highlights the significance of creatine on cognitive function, particularly observed in individuals with creatine deficient syndromes known to deplete brain creatine stores. Creatine deficiency syndrome is marked by mental and developmental disorders, including learning delays and seizures. Notably, these symptoms are, to some extent, reversed by creatine supplementation. Human studies have yielded mixed results. While some studies have discovered benefits on cognitive functioning, others found no such effects, as comprehensively reviewed by Roschel and colleagues in 2022. {{#pmid:35267907|pmid35267907}} | ||
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Although more research is needed, there is some evidence suggesting that creatine may help manage some types of depression and/or anxiety disorders, particularly when combined with choline. This indicates that creatine supplementation might be a supportive measure for mental health. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}} | Although more research is needed, there is some evidence suggesting that creatine may help manage some types of depression and/or anxiety disorders, particularly when combined with choline. This indicates that creatine supplementation might be a supportive measure for mental health. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}} | ||
==Safety and Dosage== | === Pregnancy === | ||
Creatine, known for boosting cellular energy, has sparked interest for its potential use during pregnancy to aid neural development and lessen complications from birth asphyxia. The fetus depends on the mother for creatine until late pregnancy, making creatine crucial during this period. Animal studies show that maternal creatine supplementation could enhance neonatal survival and organ function post birth asphyxia. While creatine needs do increase in pregnant women, the research on creatine supplementation during pregnancy in humans is still limited. Though creatine has been found safe in many groups, its safety and effectiveness during pregnancy need more investigation. Hence, while creatine might support the nutritional needs and health of both mother and child, recommending its use during pregnancy should be done with caution due to the limited human studies. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}} | |||
===Immune Support=== | |||
One of the more novel potential uses of creatine is its influence on the immune system. A number of in vitro and animal studies indicate that creatine has immunomodulatory effects. In this regard, several studies have reported that creatine supplementation may alter production and/or the expression of molecules involved in recognizing infections like toll-like receptors (TLR). Creatine might also affect cytokine dynamics, possibly reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, which could explain its observed neuroprotective benefits in certain central nervous system-related diseases. However, its effects on inflammation and immune response are complex, with some studies indicating potential exacerbation of exercise-induced asthma, while others suggest benefits in lung ischemia and certain respiratory conditions. Additional research is needed to understand creatine’s anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects, but it is clear that creatine can affect these pathways. Thus, there is evidence to suggest that supplementation may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}} | |||
===Reproductive Health=== | |||
There's interest in the potential of creatine to improve fertility due to its role in energy production, crucial for sperm motility. Creatine kinase activity has been associated with better sperm quality and function (4 studies). Some fertility treatments have experimented with adding creatine to the medium during intrauterine insemination to boost sperm viability and the success rates of the procedures, as reported in multiple studies (6 studies). While these initial findings are promising, more research is necessary to fully understand creatine's role in fertility and reproductive health. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}} | |||
=== Skin Health (Direct Application) === | |||
Research has shown that creatine can be beneficial for skin health when applied topically. It's believed that creatine's impact on energy availability in skin cells and its antioxidant properties may be the driving factors behind its potential benefits. Studies have found that applying creatine on the skin can protect against various cellular stress conditions such as oxidative and UV damage, which are known to contribute to premature skin aging and damage. Additionally, topical creatine application has been shown to penetrate the skin, stimulate collagen synthesis, and even affect gene expression and protein levels in the skin. Notably, a study observed that applying a creatine-containing formulation on the skin for 6 weeks led to a significant reduction in sagging cheeks, crow's feet wrinkles, and under-eye wrinkles. These findings suggest that creatine could be a valuable ingredient for topical treatments aimed at preventing and addressing skin aging. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}} | |||
== Safety and Dosage == | |||
===Safety === | ===Safety === | ||