Smash Chronic Fatigue: A Concise, Science-Based Guide to Help Your Body Heal, and Banish Fatigue Forever by P. D. Mangan

Author:P. D. Mangan [Mangan, P. D.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-02-23T16:00:00+00:00

In an animal model, mice in this case, creatine protects neurons in models of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (24) , and this is due to creatine's known properties of increasing cellular energy production, as well as it's antioxidant, anti-apoptotic (prevents cellular self-destruction), and anti-excitotoxic effects. Creatine extended the life span of mice by 9%. (24). “Creatine may, therefore, be a promising food supplement to promote healthy human aging.”

The cited study mentions that human clinical trials in Parkinson's, Huntington's, and ALS failed to show results because they were perhaps “underpowered”, which essentially means that the studies didn't have enough experimental subjects. Human research is ongoing, however.

So, we have established that, at least in mice, creatine has strong neuroprotective effects, as well as the ability to increase longevity. Regarding humans, some researchers see great promise, and advocate “the widespread application of creatine supplementation.” (25) The sports world has recognized creatine as the most effective nutritional supplement for enhancing exercise tolerance, muscle strength, and muscle mass. In illness, evidence supports the efficacy of creatine in a wide range of diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and type 2 diabetes.

One way creatine works its beneficial effects is through decreasing oxidative stress and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential. Recall that mitochondrial dysfunction appears to be central to the pathology of chronic fatigue. Creatine performed well in this regard in an animal model of epilepsy. (26); a “growing body of evidence indicates that creatine (Cr) exerts beneficial effects on a variety of pathologies where energy metabolism and oxidative stress play an etiological role.” Since chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by a decrement in energy metabolism and increased oxidative stress, creatine ought to be of value in treating it.

Perhaps more relevant, a trial of creatine supplementation in fibromyalgia found that it increased muscle strength, although it failed to decrease other symptoms, such as pain. (27)

As we have previously discussed, chronic fatigue and depression are co-morbid, that is they share many signs and symptoms and the causes may be similar. In that light, the effect of creatine on depression is of interest. In one study, a group of women with major depression were treated with antidepressant medication, with half of the group taking 5 g/day creatine over 8 weeks, the other a placebo. The creatine group showed significantly more improvement as early as 2 weeks into the study, and maintained their improvement at 4 and 8 weeks. (28)

As we see, creatine has potential to improve energy production, including in the brain, and has efficacy against depression an other neurological disorders.

Creatine is available at any supplements store or online, and is inexpensive. The dose is .03 g/kg body weight daily, or about 2 grams for a 150 pound person. It comes most commonly as a bulk powder, which can be easily added to, say, your daily whey protein shake, or to any other liquid. If you get creatine in capsules, you will need to take an awful lot of capsules, so powder is better.

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