Creatine, widely known as a dietary supplement to enhance athletic performance and build muscle, is opening a new door for scientists to study its potential role in treating depression.
However, the scientific evidence available so far is still insufficient to adopt it as a treatment option, as a scientific review published in the journal "Brain Medicine" concluded that the results of studies on the effectiveness of creatine in treating depression were mixed, which calls for larger and more comprehensive research before recommending its use for this purpose.
Creatine plays a vital role in providing cells with energy. The body produces it naturally, and it can also be obtained from foods such as meat, poultry, and fish, or through dietary supplements. While it is often associated with muscle health, it is also found in the brain, prompting scientists to investigate its potential impact on mental health.
The scientists reviewed the results of five randomized clinical trials involving 238 people with depression or bipolar disorder.
Two studies conducted on people with major depressive disorder showed encouraging results; one showed that adding creatine to the antidepressant escitalopram helped improve symptoms, while the other found that the supplement enhanced the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy.
In contrast, three other trials, including a study involving people with bipolar disorder, found no significant improvement in participants who took creatine.
The researchers noted that the supplement was generally well-tolerated, with side effects in most cases limited to mild gastrointestinal disturbances. However, two participants with bipolar disorder experienced either a hypomanic or full-blown manic episode while taking the supplement.
They stressed that these results appear promising, but do not amount to conclusive evidence, emphasizing the need for broader and longer-term studies to determine whether creatine can become part of the treatment for depression.
The study's lead author, Bassam Jirous Fares, a medical student at the University of Ottawa in Canada, said: "The findings are interesting, but they are not conclusive evidence. Two trials showed positive results, while three trials reached different conclusions. This is not enough to change clinical practice, but it confirms that the topic deserves further research."
