Creatine, the common muscle-building supplement, may help improve depression symptoms, new research suggests.A systematic review, published in Genomic Press’ Brain Medicine, found that creatine monohydrate may be beneficial as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder, although the evidence remains preliminary.The Canada-based researchers analyzed data from five randomized controlled trials, evaluating the impact of creatine monohydrate intake on mental health.AMERICANS ARE GIVING UP MULTIVITAMINS FOR A DIFFERENT DAILY HEALTH HABIT, STUDY FINDSFour of the trials studied major depressive disorder, and another looked at bipolar disorder with a current depressive episode.In one trial of women with depression who took 5 grams of creatine per day, plus the antidepressant escitalopram, there was greater improvement after eight weeks.Another study revealed benefit when creatine was added to cognitive behavioral therapy.One study saw benefit when creatine was added to cognitive behavioral therapy.
(iStock)Other studies involving teen girls found no benefit from a variety of creatine dosages after eight weeks.The bipolar depression study also found no significant improvements when 6 grams of creatine was added to medication after six weeks.COMMON VITAMIN MAY INFLUENCE BRAIN AGING IN WAYS SCIENTISTS DIDN'T EXPECTIn a press release, the researchers said previous studies have found that people with mood disorders process creatine differently in the brain.
Because creatine helps produce energy, some scientists believe disruptions in this process may contribute to depression.Although creatine has also been associated with boosting dopamine and serotonin, which most antidepressants target, the authors stressed that the link between brain creatine and mood "remains correlational," as depression has "many moving parts."FINDING THE SLEEP 'SWEET SPOT' COULD HELP YOU LIVE LONGER, STUDY SUGGESTSLead study author Bassam Jeryous Fares, a student in the Faculty of Medicine at t...