Creatine a Possible Help for Depression
By Corgan Blosch and Rose George MD
In recent years, the supplement known as creatine has conjured up a storm in the health and fitness community. Many gym-goers will take creatine before starting their workouts as it provides energy during intense physical activity. Creatine is created in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It is turned into phosphocreatine in the body. During physical activity, the body turns phosphocreatine into ATP, an energy source for the body’s cells, and can help build muscle or improve athletic performance. Researchers are finding that creatine is good for more than just going to the gym. Recent studies have shown that creatine could have a positive effect for those struggling with Major Depressive Disorder.
In a proof-of-concept study done, researchers hypothesized that creatine may help MDD symptoms due to the pro-energetic effect, including the making of phosphocreatine. This study involved 52 South Korean women. Every participant took the antidepressant known as Lexapro during the trial. 25 of these women received creatine as a supplement, while 27 of the participants received a placebo. At the 2 and 4 week mark, the group that received the creatine supplement showed significantly higher improvement rates on depression screens than those who took the placebo. At the end of the trial, half of participants who were given the creatine showed no signs of depression, as compared to one quarter of the placebo group.
Research has shown that the quicker an antidepressant works, the better the outcome. This research could provide many people with relief and hope for the future. Because creatine is a dietary supplement, please be sure to speak to your doctor before introducing it into your diet. Another effective, already-FDA-approved form of treatment for MDD is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Please reach out to us to learn more about this non-invasive and effective treatment!
Lyoo, I. K., Yoon, S., Kim, T.-S., Hwang, J., Kim, J. E., Won, W., Bae, S., & Renshaw, P. F. (2012b). A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of oral creatine monohydrate augmentation for enhanced response to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in women with major depressive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(9), 937–945. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12010009