Creatine: Its Role in Energy Production, Muscle Performance, and Potential Brain Health Benefits

Tue, 05 May 2026 13:23:00 +0200

Creatine, a compound naturally produced in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas from amino acids, plays a vital role in cellular energy by helping regenerate ATP through phosphocreatine. Primarily stored in skeletal muscles (about 95%), smaller amounts support the brain, heart, and other organs during high-energy demands. While popular among athletes for enhancing short bursts of power, sprint performance, and training capacity via creatine monohydrate supplementation, its benefits extend further. Research highlights potential cognitive advantages, including improved memory, mood, and processing speed, especially for individuals with lower baseline levels such as older adults, vegetarians, and vegans. Dr. Mehdi Boroujerdi’s review in the Handbook of Creatine and Creatinine In Vivo Kinetics underscores creatine’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, with ongoing studies exploring its applications in conditions like Parkinson’s disease, depression, and menopause-related muscle and b