Creatine monohydrate supplementation for older adults and clinical populations

BACKGROUND: The biological process of aging is typically associated with a decrease in muscle quantity, muscle performance (primarily strength), bone mass and architecture, functionality and neurological/cognitive function. From a healthy aging perspective, interventions that have the potential to overcome or attenuate these decrements are clinically relevant. METHODS: We conducted a narrative review on the efficacy of creatine monohydrate supplementation (CrM) in older adults. RESULTS: Accumulating research shows that CrM, primarily when combined with exercise training, is safe and has beneficial effects on measures of whole-body lean body mass, regional muscle size, muscle strength, bone area and thickness, functional ability, glucose kinetics, cognition and memory. CONCLUSION: CrM has multiple benefits in older adults and may have application for treating age-related sarcopenia, osteoporosis, frailty, and those with metabolic and neuromuscular disorders.