Common fitness supplement may help treat major depressive disorder symptoms
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New research suggests that creatine, a common muscle-building supplement, may help improve symptoms of depression.
A systematic review published in Genomic Press’s journal Brain Medicine found that creatine monohydrate may be useful as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder, although the evidence remains preliminary.
Canada-based researchers analyzed data from five randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of creatine monohydrate intake on mental health.
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Four of the studies examined major depressive disorder, and the other examined bipolar disorder with a current depressive episode.
A trial in women with depression who took 5 grams of creatine per day plus the antidepressant escitalopram showed greater improvement after eight weeks. Another study found that adding creatine to cognitive behavioral therapy provided benefits.
One study showed benefits when creatine was added to cognitive behavioral therapy. (iStock)
Other studies involving teenage girls found no benefit from various creatine dosages after eight weeks. The bipolar depression study also found no significant improvement when 6 grams of creatine was added to the medication after six weeks.
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In a press release, researchers said previous studies had found that people with mood disorders process creatine differently in the brain. Because creatine helps produce energy, some scientists believe that disruptions in this process may contribute to depression.
Although creatine is also associated with increasing dopamine and serotonin, which most antidepressants target, the authors emphasized that the link between brain creatine and mood “remains correlational” because depression has “many moving parts.”
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The lead author of the study, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine student Bassam Jeryous Fares, said in a statement that the signal was “interesting, but a decision cannot be made.”
“Two trials pointed in one direction and three trials pointed in another direction,” he said. “This is not the kind of evidence that can change clinical practice. It’s the kind of evidence that tells you the problem is worth further investigation.”
Although creatine is also associated with increasing dopamine and serotonin, which most antidepressants target, the authors emphasized that the link between brain creatine and mood “remains correlational.” (iStock)
Corresponding author Nicholas Fabiano, a psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa, noted in the same press release that creatine “appears to be a safe intervention” and that side effects were limited to mild stomach pain.
“We can’t yet reliably say whether creatine helps depressive symptoms or whether the findings are generalizable to everyone,” he added.
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Dr. D., psychologist and director of wellness programs at NYU Langone. Thea Gallagher said that although creatine is known for supporting muscle performance, it also helps the brain produce and use energy.
“Researchers believe that some people with depression may have changes in brain energy metabolism and that creatine may help support these energy-producing pathways,” Gallagher, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “There is also new evidence that it may affect neurotransmitters and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, but these mechanisms are still under investigation.”
Creatine should be seen as a “promising addition” to treatments for depression, a doctor has said. (iStock)
Gallagher emphasized that research suggests creatine may be most helpful when combined with established depression treatments rather than as a replacement.
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“This research is encouraging because it adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that supporting brain energy metabolism may be another way to improve symptoms of depression,” he said.
“It’s exciting when we identify another potential tool that could complement existing treatments, especially one that is relatively inexpensive and widely available.”
Limitations and warnings
The researchers acknowledged that the new study was a review of previous research rather than a new clinical trial, which could be a limitation, adding that “larger, well-controlled studies are still needed.”
Gallagher noted that creatine should be viewed as a potentially promising addition to treatment rather than a replacement for psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, regular exercise, or healthy sleep habits.
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“While creatine has a strong safety profile for most healthy adults, it is still important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplements, especially if you have kidney disease, are pregnant, or have other medical conditions,” he advised.
Gallagher recommends seeking evidence-based mental health care for those experiencing symptoms of depression.
“Although creatine has a strong safety profile for most healthy adults, it is still important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplements, especially if you have kidney disease, are pregnant, or have other medical conditions,” one doctor says. (iStock)
The doctor noted that depression “is a highly heterogeneous condition, so we still don’t know which patients are most likely to benefit or what the optimal treatment approach is.”
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Gallagher also cautioned that supplements have been known to cause “early excitement” before larger studies reveal “more modest effects.”
“Right now I can say that creatine is promising but not definitive,” he concluded. “This is an area that deserves continued research, but it’s not something people should consider as a standalone treatment for depression.”
