Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Properties of Muscle, Bone, and Brain Function in Older Adults: A Narrative Review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether creatine supplementation alone (independent of exercise) could improve muscle mass, bone strength, and brain function in older adults.
Results Summary
The abstract suggests that creatine may have favorable effects on muscle, bone, and brain health in older adults, though adherence to resistance training guidelines remains low. The review examines existing research but does not provide specific outcome data.
Population
Older adults (> 55 years of age)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
resistance training | decrease | reductions in muscle and bone mass and brain function | older adults | - | appears to be most beneficial | #1 |
resistance training | no change | recommended amount | older adults (> 55 years of age) | less than 20% | less than 20% adhere to performing | #2 |
aerobic exercise | no change | aerobic exercise guidelines | older adults (> 55 years of age) | less than 12% | less than 12% regularly meet | #3 |
other lifestyle interventions (independent of exercise) | increase | aging muscle quality and quantity, bone strength, and brain function | - | - | can have beneficial effects | #4 |
Creatine | increase | muscle, bone, and brain health (independent of exercise) | older adults | - | has the potential to have favorable effects | #5 |
creatine supplementation alone | neutral | measures of muscle mass and performance, bone mineral and strength, and indices of brain health | older adults | - | effects | #6 |
Aging is associated with reductions in muscle and bone mass and brain function, which may be counteracted by several lifestyle factors, of which exercise appears to be most beneficial. However, less than 20% of older adults (> 55 years of age) adhere to performing the recommended amount of resistance training (≥ 2 days/week) and less than 12% regularly meet the aerobic exercise guidelines (≥ 150 min/week of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise) required to achieve significant health benefits. Therefore, from a healthy aging and clinical perspective, it is important to determine whether other lifestyle interventions (independent of exercise) can have beneficial effects on aging muscle quality and quantity, bone strength, and brain function. Creatine, a nitrogen containing organic compound found in all cells of the body, has the potential to have favorable effects on muscle, bone, and brain health (independent of exercise) in older adults. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine and summarize the small body of research investigating the effects of creatine supplementation alone on measures of muscle mass and performance, bone mineral and strength, and indices of brain health in older adults.