Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Muscle, Bone and Brain- Hope or Hype for Older Adults?
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of creatine monohydrate supplementation in counteracting age-related sarcopenia, including its effects on muscle mass, strength, functional ability, cognitive function, and bone health in older adults.
Results Summary
The study found that creatine monohydrate supplementation, combined with resistance training, improved lean mass, muscle thickness, strength, and functional ability in older adults. While some cognitive benefits were noted, creatine showed minimal impact on bone mass.
Population
Older adults experiencing age-related sarcopenia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
creatine monohydrate supplementation and resistance training | increase | measures of lean mass | older adults | - | improves | #1 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation and resistance training | increase | regional (limb) muscle thickness | older adults | - | improves | #2 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation and resistance training | increase | upper- and lower-body muscle strength | older adults | - | improves | #3 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation and resistance training | increase | functional ability | older adults | - | improves | #4 |
creatine (supplementation or habitual diet) | increase | some aspects of cognitive function | - | - | provides a ray of 'hope' for improving | #5 |
creatine | no change | measures of bone mass | older adults | - | is more 'hype' than 'hope' for improving | #6 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | neutral | - | older adults | - | provides some anti-sarcopenic benefits for | #7 |
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Sarcopenia, generally characterized by the age-related reduction in muscle strength, lean/muscle mass and functional ability, is also associated with reduced bone mass and strength and impaired brain health and function. One potential intervention which has received much 'hype' over the past few decades to countermeasure these negative consequences of biological aging is creatine monohydrate supplementation. RECENT FINDINGS: From a skeletal muscle perspective, the combination of creatine monohydrate supplementation and resistance training provides 'hope' for older adults as it improves measures of lean mass, regional (limb) muscle thickness, upper- and lower-body muscle strength and functional ability. Further, there is some evidence that creatine (supplementation or habitual diet) provides a ray of 'hope' for improving some aspects of cognitive function. The majority of research suggests that creatine is more 'hype' than 'hope' for improving measures of bone mass in older adults. Creatine monohydrate supplementation provides some anti-sarcopenic benefits for older adults.