While creatine is commonly known for its ability to improve energy production and enhance muscle performance, its benefits extend beyond just energy build. Creatine has several other potential therapeutic and ergogenic effects:

1. Cognitive Processing and Brain Health: Creatine supplementation may improve cognitive processing, particularly under conditions characterized by brain creatine deficits like acute stressors (e.g., sleep deprivation, exercise) or chronic pathologic conditions (e.g., mild traumatic brain injury, aging, Alzheimer's disease)¹. It can also enhance working memory and executive functioning².

2. Neurological Conditions: There is growing evidence that creatine can be of value in the treatment of neurological conditions such as age-related cognitive decline, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder)³⁴.

3. Muscle Health and Recovery: Creatine is effective in increasing lean muscle mass, improving resistance to fatigue, enhancing muscular strength, and aiding in the management of muscle-related conditions such as myopathies⁵.

4. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties: Recent research indicates that creatine might also serve as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, which could have additional health benefits⁶.

Thus, creatine offers a range of benefits that go beyond merely increasing energy and building muscle. Its potential in improving brain health, aiding in recovery from traumatic brain injury, and supporting muscle and neurological health makes it a versatile supplement with broad applications.

Footnotes

1. Hamilton Roschel, "Creatine Supplementation and Brain Health," NCBI, 2021 ↩

2. Richard B. Kreider, "Creatine in Health and Disease," NCBI, 2021 ↩

3. Darren G. Candow, "“Heads Up” for Creatine Supplementation and its Potential Applications for Brain Health and Function," NCBI, 2023 ↩

4. Richard B. Kreider, "International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine," NCBI, 2017 ↩

5. Richard B. Kreider, "Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?" NCBI, 2021 ↩

6. Holly Clarke, "The Evolving Applications of Creatine Supplementation: Could Creatine Improve Vascular Health?" NCBI, 2020 ↩