Should you take Creatine to boost your brain?

What is creatine?

Creatine is a compound of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Over 90% of our body's creatine is stored in our muscles. It is made from methionine, arginine, and acids glycine. Even though we have natural creatine, supplementation can dramatically increase our levels by 50-fold or higher.

Creatine and the brain's energy metabolism

Research has revealed that supplemental oral creatine does increase the brain's creatine levels and may help counteract mental fatigue. Brains are incredibly energy intensive. They use over 20% of our body's energy despite only making up about 2% of our weight. Considering this, creatine's energy-supplementing effect could, in theory, present significant benefit for the brain.

Who could benefit most from creatine?

According to data, older adults & those who are vegan and vegetarian. Given what we know about its role in brain energy, it may be worth special consideration when our brains are under higher levels of metabolic stress (for example, if we're psychologically stressed or sleep-deprived).