Does creatine supplementation improve glycemic control and insulin resistance in healthy and diabetic patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#blood-glucose #creatine #diabetes-mellitus #dietary-supplements #glycemic-control

Does creatine supplementation improve glycemic control and insulin resistance in healthy and diabetic patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Delpino et al., 2022 | Clin Nutr ESPEN | Meta Analysis

Citation

Delpino Felipe Mendes, Figueiredo Lílian Munhoz. Does creatine supplementation improve glycemic control and insulin resistance in healthy and diabetic patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022-Feb;47:128-134. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.11.006

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Creatine supplementation shows promising effects on diabetes, especially in glucose management and insulin secretion. This study aimed to review the literature on studies that evaluated the effects of creatine supplementation on parameters of diabetes in humans. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, until December 2020, in the following databases: Pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane. It included experimental studies that investigated the effects of creatine supplementation on diabetes treatment or prevention and its relationship with fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in the review, from which five showed some benefit of creatine supplementation in at least one diabetes parameter. In diabetic individuals (n = 2), creatine was beneficial. In the meta-analysis, there are no significant effect on fasting blood glucose [SMD: 0.05; CI95%: -0.53, 0.63; p = 0.28; I2 = 22%] and insulin resistance [SMD: -0.38; 95% CI: -0.90, 0.14; p = 0.22; I2 = 33%]. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated an insufficient basis to state that creatine can positively affect diabetes parameters. Future studies should be conducted with diabetic individuals due to the potential of creatine on diabetes parameters.

Key Findings

Nine studies were included in the review, from which five showed some benefit of creatine supplementation in at least one diabetes parameter. In diabetic individuals (n = 2), creatine was beneficial. In the meta-analysis, there are no significant effect on fasting blood glucose [SMD: 0.05; CI95%: -0.53, 0.63; p = 0.28; I2 = 22%] and insulin resistance [SMD: -0.38; 95% CI: -0.90, 0.14; p = 0.22; I2 = 33%].

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 2
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Creatine
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Glycemic Control
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

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