Research on creatine is done to understand it’s action on muscles , the emerging brain health evidence is surprising. The brain is a high energy demanding organ and creatine directly fuels the ATP system that powers neurons and muscle.
The evidence for creatine and brain health is at an earlier stage but several findings are consistent, creatine supplements improves performance on tasks which require short term memory and rapid information processing particularly under conditions of mental fatigue or sleep deprivation.
The brain accounts for 2% of body weight but consumes 20% of the body’s total energy output . Creatine provides phosphate thus changing ADP to ATP replenishing the energy currency .
The brain stores creatine obtained from diet and from the small amount the liver synthesizes and uses it just like muscles does thus creatine is sometimes described as a cellular energy buffer rather than a stimulant . It doesn’t create new energy, it helps the brain deploy the energy it already has but faster .
Creatine for brain health works best as a low-risk addition to other fundamentals like sleep , nutrients and exercise not a replacement for them. The highest of effect is obtained when brain is stressed , so it’s best understood as a support during dire times than a general enhancer.
Before adding any new supplements to your diet it’s best to take advice from your current doctor regarding your health profile , as this is a emerging evidence not a settled science .
Would you consider taking creatine as its has dual purposes? Which type of creatine has more scientific evidence of working better?
MBH/PS