Creatine, depression, . . . and other stories

Dietary creatine

Creatine is central to the energy metabolism of muscle, and weight lifters and body builders often take creatine supplements in the belief that they will enhance muscle mass and strength. Creatine also has a critical role in brain bioenergetics, and small studies have hinted that dietary supplements might protect against depression. Data from a large nutritional survey are compatible with the idea. Among 20 000 participants, the prevalence of depression was almost twice as high in those in the lowest quarter of the distribution of creatine intake compared with those in the highest quarter (Transl Psych doi:10.1038/s41398-020-0741-x …