Creatine Non-Athletic Benefits

Part 1 of 2
The Non-Athletic Benefits of Creatine.

Creatine, the unexpected ally for brain health and depression mitigation? Let's dive in.⁣
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While we often associate Creatine as a must-have in your supplement regime for improving strength and increasing muscle size, its role extends far beyond those boundaries. The massively overlooked component of creatine is its role in the brain as a potent energy source. ⁣
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Our brain, much like our muscles, relies on ATP for energy. When brain cells don't have enough energy, they can't function as effectively, potentially leading to various problems, including mood disorders like depression. However, introducing Creatine may address this concern by producing and storing phosphocreatine, which offers the brain a readily accessible energy reserve.⁣
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What's the connection to depression? Our brains use approximately 20% of the body’s energy at rest and therefore depend on cellular metabolism (the process by which energy is provided in the body for optimal functioning).⁣
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If the brain has impaired cellular metabolism, it can cause one to feel emotionally and mentally exhausted, potentially leading to depressive symptoms. Creatine acts as a buffer and stores phosphocreatine in the cells providing a stable energy source.⁣
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In a placebo-controlled dose-ranging study, 34 adolescent and young adult women with major depressive disorder that were unresponsive to standard antidepressant treatment were given either 2 grams, 4 grams or 10 grams per day of Creatine Monohydrate for 8 weeks.⁣
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The study revealed that phosphocreatine levels in the frontal lobe were inversely correlated with depression scores. Each creatine-treated group, at all dosage increments, had lower depression scores than those treated with a placebo.⁣
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Although these results and studies could be promising for those suffering from mental illness, we are not recommending forgoing standard treatments. However, it’s great to see more research conducted surrounding the ever-expanding benefits of an already excellent supplement, and we’re excited to see its utility surrounding mental health in the future!

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26907087/