Long-term creatine supplementation is safe in aged patients with Parkinson disease

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#creatine #dietary-supplements #dose-response-relationship-drug #female #follow-up-studies

Long-term creatine supplementation is safe in aged patients with Parkinson disease

Bender et al., 2008 | Nutr Res | Rct

Citation

Bender Andreas, Samtleben Walter, ... Klopstock Thomas. Long-term creatine supplementation is safe in aged patients with Parkinson disease. Nutr Res. 2008-Mar;28(3):172-8. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2008.01.001

Abstract

The food supplement creatine (Cr) is widely used by athletes as a natural ergogenic compound. It has also been increasingly tested in neurodegenerative diseases as a potential neuroprotective agent. Weight gain is the most common side effect of Cr, but sporadic reports about the impairment of renal function cause the most concerns with regard to its long-term use. Data from randomized controlled trials on renal function in Cr-supplemented patients are scarce and apply mainly to healthy young athletes. We systematically evaluated potential side effects of Cr with a special focus on renal function in aged patients with Parkinson disease as well as its current use in clinical medical research. Sixty patients with Parkinson disease received either oral Cr (n = 40) or placebo (n = 20) with a dose of 4 g/d for a period of 2 years. Possible side effects as indicated by a broad range of laboratory blood and urine tests were evaluated during 6 follow-up study visits. Overall, Cr was well tolerated. Main side effects were gastrointestinal complaints. Although serum creatinine levels increased in Cr patients because of the degradation of Cr, all other markers of tubular or glomerular renal function, especially cystatin C, remained normal, indicating unaltered kidney function. The data in this trial provide a thorough analysis and give a detailed overview about the safety profile of Cr in older age patients.

Key Findings

The data in this trial provide a thorough analysis and give a detailed overview about the safety profile of Cr in older age patients.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population older age
Sample Size 40
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Creatine
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Kidney
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Safety
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: creatine-neurological

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09