Creatine Supplementation for Health and Clinical Diseases

<p>Creatine plays a critical role in cellular metabolism primarily by binding with phosphate to form phosphocreatine (PCr) as well as shuttling high-energy phosphate compounds in and out of the mitochondria for metabolism. Increasing the dietary availability of creatine increases the tissue and cellular availability of PCr and thereby enhances the ability to maintain high-energy states during intense exercise. For this reason creatine monohydrate has been extensively studied as an ergogenic aid for exercise training and sport. Limitations in the ability to synthesize creatine and transport and/or store dietary creatine can impair metabolism and is a contributor to several disease states. Additionally creatine provides an important source of energy during metabolically stressed states particularly when oxygen availability is limited. Thus researchers have assessed the role of creatine supplementation on health throughout the lifespan as well as whether creatine availability may improve disease management and/or therapeutic outcomes. This book provides a comprehensive overview of scientific and medical evidence related to creatine's role in metabolism health throughout the lifespan and our current understanding of how creatine can promote brain heart vascular and immune health; reduce the severity of musculoskeletal and brain injury; and may provide therapeutic benefits in glucose management and diabetes cancer therapy inflammatory bowel disease and post-viral fatigue.</p>