My Fit Station
  • Home
  • Supplements
    • Protein Powder
    • Fat Burner
      • Vegan
      • Non-Stimulant
      • Nighttime
    • Pre-Workout
      • Vegan
    • BCAA
    • Multivitamin
    • Creatine
    • Collagen
  • Contribute
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
My Fit Station
  • Home
  • Supplements
    • Protein Powder
    • Fat Burner
      • Vegan
      • Non-Stimulant
      • Nighttime
    • Pre-Workout
      • Vegan
    • BCAA
    • Multivitamin
    • Creatine
    • Collagen
  • Contribute
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

CREATINE – How Does it Work on the Brain?

CREATINE – How Does it Work on the Brain?
Isabella Walker Written by Isabella Walker
Last Updated on August 22, 2022

Creatine is a substance stored in the muscles, heart and brain. Over the years, awareness of the role of creatine supplementation has been growing not only in sports, but also in the context of brain health. People with depression, the elderly, people with diseases associated with certain genetic defects (where there are disturbances in the production and storage of creatine in the brain) are just some groups of people in whom creatine supplementation may be helpful.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • What can creatine help?
  • Creatine by heart
  • Creatine and the elderly
  • Creatine and depression
  • Creatine improves cognitive functions
  • Creatine and brain injuries
  • Creatine and stress
  • Creatine for health!

What can creatine help?

Creatine deficiency in the brain may be associated with depression, depressed mood states, mental fatigue, and neurodegenerative and genetic diseases. Mental fatigue and a large amount of mental work can also deplete the body’s creatine resources. The important blood flow through the blood vessels in the brain is reduced.

The main function of creatine is to immediately deliver energy to tissues with increased energy needs, such as muscles and the brain. (Persky and Brazeau, 2001)

Creatine by heart

The energy metabolism of our brain is related to the resources of this compound in the brain tissue. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that creatine supports brain function. Increasing the energy in the brain increases the power of the brain, which directly translates into an improvement in its overall abilities:

Creatine administered exogenously (externally through supplementation) increases the supply of energy to neurons in healthy adults. (Rawson and Volek, 2003)

Supplementation with creatine can increase its level in the brain to the threshold above which excess is excreted. (Joncquel-Chevalier Curt et al. 2015)

Higher resting creatine levels improve cognitive performance. (Ferrier et al., 2000)

In the elderly, as a result of aging processes, there are, among others, reduce the amount of creatine stored in the brain, which can worsen cognition. In one of the experiments, Dr. Rae from 2015 (“Creatine as a booster for human brain function. How might it work?”) Observed that creatine supplementation can improve cognitive functions and some types of memory. Creatine supplementation in this case may be useful for the elderly, but not only. Perhaps also in people who require increased mental performance in the short term (e.g. students).

Creatine works for the brain

Creatine and the elderly

There is also evidence that creatine contributes to the protection of the brain (neuroprotection) by improving mitochondrial function (eg in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson, Alzheimer, Huntington, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – ALS).

Creatine and depression

Regarding depressive disorders (especially those difficult to cure with conventional drug-resistant methods), creatine supplementation brought some therapeutic benefits. In one experiment, people with depression were given 3-5 g of creatine (as monohydrate). After four weeks, there was a marked improvement in well-being and mood. In another experiment, similar beneficial effects were observed in adolescents – symptoms of depression were significantly reduced. Moreover, creatine may also be useful in people with depressed mood and anxiety (post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia).

More frequent abnormalities in the concentration of creatine in the cerebrospinal fluid are encountered

Creatine improves cognitive functions

Creatine may have a better effect on complex cognitive functions. In particular, it may work more favorably in people who have sleep disorders. People who supplemented creatine had better mood and motor parameters. (McMorris et al. 2007)

Creatine and brain injuries

The neuroprotective effect of creatine supplementation as a result of brain damage is to maintain adequate energy in the brain, thanks to which the “energy factories” (mitochondria) work more efficiently and more efficiently. As a result of damage to the head, for example, the efficiency of the cerebral vessels may also deteriorate, worsening the patient’s condition and prolonging the potential convalescence.

In this case, thanks to creatine, it can improve the maintenance of an adequate (constant) energy level in the brain (stabilization of ATP – the energy carrier), which improves the stability of the mitochondrial membrane and improves the work of blood vessels. (Prass et al. 2007; Sullivan, 2000)

Creatine and stress

Stress is still an underestimated source of many health problems. Chronic stress leads to disturbances in the body’s metabolic and energy transformations, and increases the susceptibility of nerve cells to damage due to oxidative stress. It is also worth knowing that, according to the current state of knowledge, chronic stress is one of the most important factors preceding the development of many psychiatric disorders. As it turns out, in this context, creatine supplementation may have some positive effects. As shown by scientific research, it helps to eliminate mitochondrial disorders resulting from stress, and also protects nerve cells due to its antioxidant properties.

Creatine for health!

Creatine supplementation may improve cognition and some types of memory. During the convalescence period, it can play a supporting role, which may indirectly influence the effectiveness of the entire treatment process. Older adults with frequent dementia-related episodes and those with neurodegenerative diseases may also benefit from creatine supplementation. However if you have any mental health problems and if you are during the treatment we recommend to ask your doctor if it interacts with your medications.

Pin
Share
Tweet
Isabella Walker
Isabella Walker

Isabella is the founder of My Fit Station. Her mission is to spread a healthy, balanced and FUN approach to mind/body health & fitness, one that encourages growth, empowerment and a lavish dose of self-loving. Find out more about me here.

previous post
JERF Breakfast: The Best Recipes to Fuel Your Morning
next post
How To Do Cable Crunches for a Strong and Sculpted Core

You may also like

What Is The JERF Diet And How Much Can It Change Your Life?

What Is The JERF Diet And How Much Can It Change Your Life?

June 10, 2014
What’s the Best Workout Programs for Women? Female Training Plans

What’s the Best Workout Programs for Women? Female Training Plans

October 20, 2019
Femme Fit: Finding the Best Pre-Workout for Women

Femme Fit: Finding the Best Pre-Workout for Women

June 2, 2023
The Shred Meal Plan: A Simple Guide To Losing Weight and Getting in Shape

The Shred Meal Plan: A Simple Guide To Losing Weight and Getting in Shape

January 3, 2023

5 Things Tuesday: My Top Fit Products !

April 30, 2013
10 Best Workout Programs for Women in 2023

10 Best Workout Programs for Women in 2023

May 2, 2023
Three Triathletes and their Inspirational Stories !

Three Triathletes and their Inspirational Stories !

September 8, 2013
How to Get a Bigger Butt 7 Day Training Plan to Build Your Booty

How to Get a Bigger Butt
7 Day Training Plan to Build Your Booty

September 22, 2019
One Life Fitness: The Ultimate Health and Fitness Review

One Life Fitness: The Ultimate Health and Fitness Review

September 22, 2022
The Women’s Multivitamin Industry Is Changing Fast. Here’s How to Keep Pace

The Women’s Multivitamin Industry Is Changing Fast. Here’s How to Keep Pace

November 12, 2021
Footer Logo

Address: 126 Fremont Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90005 USA | Phone: +1 845-559-4142 | Email: contact@myfitstation.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Community Talks
We provide information about fitness, nutrition, and other related subjects. The contents, materials, or links in this blog are not intended as medical advice or treatment.

Copyright © 2023 by My Fit Station


DMCA.com Protection Status

loader
Get 200 Easy Workouts Free!
A complete collection of visual routines for all fitness levels
Best Pre-Workout for Women

Email Address*

Name