Creatine - More Than Just Athletics?
When we talk about Creatine, people usually think "gym gains." And they're not wrong. Creatine's proven athletic benefits are prominent.
But here's the shift: It seems to be evolving beyond the gym, becoming a cornerstone of an overall supplement regime- especially in the world or cognitive health.
A 2024 review paper looking at Creatine for Traumatic Brain Injuries shows that creatine helps to maintain energy levels in the brain, which is crucial following a TBI due to the increased energy demands and reduced blood flow that occur. The authors highlight that if creatine stores are depleted at the time of injury, the damage can be more severe. The text also notes that creatine levels in the brain naturally decrease after a TBI, further supporting the potential benefits of supplementation.
The authors reference a study by Sakellaris et al. that investigated the effects of creatine supplementation in children and adolescents with severe TBI. The study found that creatine supplementation improved various TBI-related outcomes, including the duration of post-traumatic amnesia, time spent in intensive care, and overall recovery. The supplementation also improved cognitive function and social skills. Importantly, no evidence of toxicity was observed. With further information needed, it would be interesting to see Creatine as a supplement for youth who engage in sports!
The text also mentions studies that have shown that creatine supplementation can improve cognitive function in healthy individuals and athletes, particularly in those who experience frequent sub-concussive impacts.
More studies are always needed, but overall, Creatine is a very exciting supplement that I'm hoping to see much more of!