Creatine is one of the most popular sports supplements in the world. Many athletes and gym users take it to improve strength, power, and exercise performance. Now scientists are asking a very different question.
Could creatine also help people living with depression? A new systematic review from researchers at the University of Ottawa examined the available clinical studies and found some encouraging results, but it also showed that the evidence is still too limited to recommend creatine as a treatment. The review was published in the journal Brain Medicine.
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide. It can cause ongoing sadness, loss of interest, tiredness, sleep problems, poor concentration, and feelings of hopelessness.
Although antidepressants and psychological therapies help many people, they do not work for everyone. Researchers continue searching for new treatments that may improve recovery.
Instead of carrying out a new experiment, the researchers collected and evaluated previous clinical trials. They found six published reports covering five randomized controlled trials.
In these studies, participants received either creatine or a placebo without knowing which treatment they were taking. Altogether, 238 people took part. Most participants were women, and the average age was about 36 years.
Four studies involved people with major depressive disorder, while one included people with bipolar disorder who were experiencing depression. Because the studies used different methods, doses, and treatment plans, the researchers examined each study separately instead of combining all the results.
The findings were mixed. Two studies involving women with major depressive disorder found that creatine improved depression symptoms when added to standard treatment.
In one trial, participants taking creatine together with the antidepressant escitalopram improved more than those taking the medicine alone. Another study found better results when creatine was combined with cognitive behavioural therapy.
However, three other studies found no meaningful benefit. These included people whose depression had not responded to medication, adolescent girls, and people with bipolar depression.
Researchers also reported that two participants with bipolar disorder developed hypomania or mania while taking creatine, suggesting that the supplement may not be suitable for everyone.
Scientists are interested in creatine because the brain requires enormous amounts of energy to function. Creatine helps cells quickly produce ATP, the main source of energy used throughout the body.
Researchers think that supporting the brain’s energy supply might improve the function of brain cells involved in mood. Some laboratory studies also suggest that creatine may influence brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which are important for emotional wellbeing. However, these ideas still require further research.
The review’s authors stressed that the current evidence is not strong enough to change medical practice. The studies were relatively small, lasted only a short time, and involved mostly women. Larger studies including more diverse participants will be needed before doctors know whether creatine is truly helpful for depression.
This review summarizes the best evidence currently available and shows both the promise and the limitations of creatine for depression. Some carefully conducted studies reported meaningful improvements, while others found no benefit.
The inconsistency means there is not yet enough evidence to recommend creatine as a routine treatment. Until larger clinical trials are completed, people with depression should continue following medical advice and discuss any supplements with their healthcare provider.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and results showing Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.
Source: University of Ottawa.
