Study finds creatine may help ease depression symptoms when added to antidepressants

Researchers from the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa in Canada say the widely used sports supplement creatine may help reduce depression symptoms. Creatine, which helps cells produce energy and occurs naturally in food, is also present in the brain and may play a role in treating psychiatric conditions, the team said. The study, published in a peer-reviewed neuroscience journal, reviewed five clinical trials covering 238 patients with depression and bipolar disorder. In two of the trials, patients with depression who took creatine alongside antidepressant medication showed higher response rates than those on medication alone. Other studies reviewed also indicated that creatine contributed to improvements in cognitive impairment. The supplement did not produce meaningful improvement in patients with bipolar disorder, and two patients developed mild hypomania. Speaking to HealthDay, the researchers said the findings were promising for people with depression but remained preliminary, adding that further studies are needed before any formal recommendation can be made in clinical psychiatry.