Creatine Supplementation Shows Promise for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Medical News: In recent years, the spotlight on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a condition causing extreme fatigue and brain fog, has led researchers to explore potential treatments that could address its energy-related symptoms. One promising avenue is creatine supplementation, commonly known for its benefits in muscle performance. This study, involving researchers from the University of Oxford and other institutions, provides fascinating insights into how this nutrient affects not only muscle but also cognitive functions and energy levels in ME/CFS patients.


Creatine Supplementation Shows Promise for
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

This Medical News report highlights findings from the study conducted by researchers from Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry and the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, along with contributions from Maastricht University and the University of North Carolina. They looked specifically at how six weeks of creatine supplementation might increase brain creatine levels, improve fatigue, cognitive performance, and hand-grip strength in patients diagnosed with ME/CFS.
 
Understanding ME/CFS and the Role of Creatine
ME/CFS is a chronic disorder characterized by debilitating fatigue, muscle pain, memory issues, and cognitive impairments. Unlike typical fatigue, symptoms persist regardless of rest, and the condition currently lacks a specific pharmacological treatment. Given that creatine plays a vital role in energy management within the cells, researchers sought to explore its potential for alleviating symptoms of ME/CFS.
 
Creatine serves as an energy buffer, storing and transporting energy to cells with high energy demands, such as muscle and brain cells. Previous studies have hinted at lower brain creatine levels in ME/CFS patients, so the team designed a trial to assess the impact of creatine supplementation on brain function and fatigue in ME/CFS patients.
 
Study Design and Methodology
The study recruited 14 participants diagnosed with ME/CFS. They were administered a high daily dose of creatine monohydrate, 16 grams per day, for six weeks. Researchers selected this dosage and duration based on prior studies involving healthy and depressed individuals, where similar doses increased brain creatine concentrations by as much as 10%. The high dose aimed to ensure a measurable effect, as lower doses had shown inconsistent results in prior studies.
 
The researchers focused on two key brain regions for assessment: the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), both of which are involved in energy processing and cognitive functions.
 
Participants underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) scans before and after the supplementation period to observe changes in brain creatine levels. In addition, the study included cognitive tests and hand-grip strength measurements to assess overall improvements in energy levels, fatigue, and cognitive performance.
 
Key Findings: Brain Creatine and Cognitive Function
By the end of the six-week period, 11 participants completed the study. The results showed significant improvements in both brain creatine levels and overall fatigue levels, offering hope for ME/CFS patients. The pgACC and DLPFC brain regions showed an 8.3% and 2.9% increase in creatine concentrations, respectively. Participants also reported a reduction in self-assessed fatigue severity and improved performance on cognitive tasks.
 
The cognitive tests revealed enhanced reaction times on the Stroop test, which assesses inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. This improvement correlated with the increase in creatine concentration in the pgACC. Additionally, hand-grip strength, a measure of muscle function, improved by an impressive 27% after creatine supplementation, reflecting broader effects on both brain and muscle energy levels.
 
Interestingly, while participants noted subjective improvements in fatigue, the data did not show a direct correlation between fatigue reduction and brain creatine levels. This discrepancy highlights the need for further research, especially in controlled studies that could better separate the placebo effect from true treatment effects.
 
Understanding the Science: How Creatine Supports Energy
Creatine is widely recognized for its role in supporting energy in muscles, but it also plays an essential part in brain function. In muscle and brain cells, creatine undergoes a reaction that generates phosphocreatine, an energy reserve that quickly replenishes adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary cellular energy molecule. This rapid regeneration of ATP is crucial for cells with high energy demands, such as neurons and muscle fibers, which explains why creatine can potentially improve both mental and physical fatigue.
 
Previous studies in ME/CFS have pointed to issues with mitochondrial function, the energy-producing centers of cells. Dysfunctional mitochondria may struggle to generate sufficient ATP, contributing to the fatigue and energy issues characteristic of ME/CFS. Creatine’s ability to support ATP production may provide a way to counteract this energy deficit, offering potential relief for those with ME/CFS.
 
Cognitive Improvement and Brain Health in ME/CFS
The study's findings suggest that creatine supplementation might improve cognitive performance, particularly in tasks requiring quick mental responses. For ME/CFS patients who experience “brain fog” or cognitive slowing, creatine could represent a simple, nutrient-based intervention to enhance cognitive function. Additionally, previous studies have suggested that creatine may provide neuroprotective benefits by acting as an antioxidant, which may help reduce oxidative stress linked to fatigue and brain fog in ME/CFS patients.
 
The researchers also noted that the pgACC and DLPFC regions are involved in cognitive and emotional processes. Improvement in these areas could lead to a reduction in brain fog symptoms and enhance mental clarity, which many ME/CFS patients lack. The observed increase in brain creatine levels in these regions points to a potentially important therapeutic role for creatine, although more extensive research is needed to confirm these benefits.
 
Future Research and Limitations
This study highlights creatine’s potential as a non-invasive intervention for ME/CFS but also points to the need for further research. While the current study’s findings are promising, the lack of a placebo control makes it challenging to distinguish the effects of creatine from the influence of participating in the study. The researchers recommend conducting a larger, placebo-controlled study to explore these preliminary findings more rigorously.
 
Another limitation noted by the authors is that, although creatine increased in the brain regions tested, it remains unclear whether this effect applies broadly across other brain areas or is isolated to the pgACC and DLPFC. Long-term studies could provide additional insights into how creatine affects the brain and its long-term safety for ME/CFS patients.
 
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study offers hope for ME/CFS patients who struggle daily with fatigue and cognitive impairment. Creatine supplementation for six weeks appears to increase brain creatine levels, reduce fatigue, and improve reaction times, suggesting it could be a valuable support for brain health and physical stamina. However, given the study’s limitations, including the lack of a placebo group, additional research is necessary to confirm these results and optimize creatine supplementation protocols.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Nutrients.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/19/3308
 
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