By Yomna Al-Irian and Dr. Behn. Banihashemi MD FRCPC FACC
The Role of Creatine Supplementation in Health and Performance
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound created in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas from amino acids such as glycine, arginine, and methionine. It is stored primarily in skeletal muscle as phosphocreatine, where it plays an important role in the production and rapid regeneration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the primary energy molecule used by muscle cells during short bursts of high-intensity activity (1).
Why Supplement Creatine?
Creatine is both synthesized by the body, and consumed in small amounts through dietary sources like meat and fish. The amount obtained through diet and what the body creates is often insufficient to fill the muscle’s stores, especially for individuals following plant-based diets. For this reason, creatine supplementation has become a well-supported strategy for enhancing physical performance, improving body composition, and supporting muscle and brain health. The benefits of creatine are summarized below.
Musculoskeletal Benefits and Exercise Performance
1. Increased Strength and Lean Body Mass: Multiple studies have shown that creatine supplementation significantly improves muscular strength, power output, and lean body mass, particularly when combined with resistance training. It has also been found to help in preventing or reducing the severity of injuries, as well as helping in the rehabilitation process after injury (1).
2. Muscle Health in Aging Adults: In older populations, creatine has shown beneficial effects in counteracting sarcopenia and improving physical function. A meta-analysis conducted by Devries and Phillips (2014) concluded that creatine supplementation combined with resistance training leads to greater improvements in muscle strength and mass in older adults compared to training alone. Further research is needed given the limited number of studies included (3).
The Science Behind Creatine’s Muscle Benefits
Once ingested, creatine is converted to phosphocreatine and stored in skeletal muscle. During high-intensity exercise, phosphocreatine donates a phosphate group to regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The increased production of ATP will help to enhance muscle performance, and therefore will lead to better preservation of muscle strength, functional capacity and overall mobility when combined with resistance training (1).
Cognitive and Neurological Effects
1. Cognitive Enhancement: There is growing interest in creatine’s role in brain health. A placebo-controlled trial by Rae et al. (2003) demonstrated improvements in cognitive tasks such as memory and reaction time in healthy individuals taking creatine (2). The proposed mechanism involves increased phosphocreatine availability in the brain, which may support cognitive processing under stress or fatigue.
2. Neurodegenerative Conditions: Preliminary studies have explored creatine as a potential therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. While early results are promising, large-scale clinical trials are required to establish efficacy (4).
How Creatine Powers the Brain
The brain, like muscles, uses ATP for energy-intensive tasks. Creatine supplementation increases brain phosphocreatine stores, which can help sustain ATP production during periods of high cognitive demand or metabolic stress (1). With these increased stores, creatine can therefore also help to stabilize mitochondrial function, and can have protective effects on neurons (4).
What Type of Creatine Has the Most Benefits?
Among the various creatine formulations, creatine monohydrate remains the most researched and clinically supported. It has demonstrated consistent efficacy and safety in both athletic and clinical settings. Other forms such as creatine ethyl ester lack the same level of support and have not shown superior outcomes in direct comparisons (5).
Recommendations for Supplementation
Should You Use Creatine?
Creatine supplementation is suitable for individuals involved in high-intensity physical activity, older adults aiming to preserve muscle mass, and potentially those with specific neurological conditions. It is generally well-tolerated with a strong safety profile when used within recommended guidelines.
Consult a healthcare provider: It is important to discuss with a healthcare provider about starting creatine supplementations, especially if you have any preexisting health conditions.
- Recommended guidelines for usage:
Loading Phase (optional): 20 grams per day divided into 4 doses for 5–7 days - Maintenance Phase: 3–5 grams per day
- Timing: It can be taken at any time however, post-workout intake with carbohydrates may enhance uptake (1)
How to select high quality Creatine:
- Look for 100% pure creatine monohydrate
- Choose supplements certified by third-party labs (e.g., NSF Certified for Sport, Informed-Sport)
- Avoid proprietary blends or products with unverified claims
Controversies and Safety Considerations
Creatine supplementation is considered safe for long-term use in healthy individuals. The most common side effect is mild weight gain due to increased water retention in muscles. Concerns regarding kidney or liver damage have not been supported by current clinical evidence in people without preexisting renal conditions (7). Nevertheless, those with kidney disease or other chronic conditions should consult a healthcare provider before initiating supplementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does creatine do in the body?
Creatine helps regenerate ATP, the primary energy course of cells, especially during short, intense exercise. Therefore, it helps with enhancing physical performance and muscle strength. It also has roles in neurological and metabolic health, including improvements in cognitive tasks such as memory and reaction time.
How much creatine should I take daily?
A typical maintenance dose is 3-5 grams per day.
Is creatine safe?
Creatine is considered safe for healthy individuals when used at recommended doses. However, if you have pre-existing kidney disease or other serious medical conditions, you should consult a healthcare provider before starting supplementation.
Does creatine cause bloating or water retention?
Initial weight gain due to water retention within muscle cells is common, but typically temporary and not harmful.
Can creatine harm kidney function?
In individuals with normal kidney function, creatine has not been shown to impair renal health. However, those with kidney disease or other health conditions should consult a physician before use.
How do I pick a creatine supplement?
Choose a pure creatine monohydrate product, ideally with third-party certification. Avoid products with fillers, additives, or unproven forms of creatine.
What are the best dietary sources of creatine?
Animal-based products, particularly red meat and fish, are the best natural sources of creatine. Beef and fish provide about 1–2 grams per pound (6).
This blog post has been fact checked by a medical professional.