Creatine in Healthy Aging: Not Just for Muscle Performance Anymore

Summary:

Any healthy adult who wants to combine an active lifestyle with resistance training to improve their muscular strength can benefit from creatine supplementation, but there can be additional benefits too. This American Society on Aging Generations Now blog describes what creatine is, how its use extends beyond athletic performance, and how it can benefit healthy aging.

Key Takeaways:

• Creatine supplementation improves muscle strength, performance, and power when combined with resistance training.
• While creatine supplementation has largely been used by athletes to improve performance and recovery, creatine has been studied and shown benefits in a variety of clinical conditions, including diabetes, sarcopenia, bone health, and cognitive function.
• Creatine is a well-researched, widely used supplement with benefits that extend beyond athletic performance. Emerging evidence supports its role in improving muscle strength, functional capacity, and potentially cognitive resilience across a variety of groups, including older adults and women.

Related Questions & Answers

• What is creatine?
  Creatine is a natural compound that is important for energy production in the body.
• Who can benefit from creatine supplementation?
  Any healthy adult who wants to combine an active lifestyle with resistance training to improve their muscle strength can benefit from creatine supplementation.
• Is creatine only for bodybuilders and athletes?
  No, creatine has been studied and shown benefits in a variety of clinical conditions including diabetes, sarcopenia, bone health, and cognitive function.

Disclosures:

• Jillian Hyttenhove, MA, RD, CSOWM, LD, CHES, is a Medical Science Liaison at the Nutrition Division of Abbott in Columbus, Ohio. 
• Sara Thomas, PhD, RDN, is a Senior Research Scientist at the Nutrition Division of Abbott in Columbus, Ohio.