Most people know that creatine is one of the most popular and effective bodybuilding supplements. Creatine differs from many other sports supplements offered on the market because it has an extensive and solid scientific data base. Studies show that creatine is an effective ergogenic aid for 80% of those who use it.But creatine is far more than just a sports supplement. Various published studies show that it may provide therapeutic effects for a wide variety of pathological conditions, including neurological illness involving the brain. Recent research even suggests that creatine may play a role in helping to slow down the aging process.
How would creatine affect the aging process? Calcium is an essential and important mineral, but it tends to build up in the brain with age. Excess calcium ions in the brain promote a cascade in the brain's neurons that results in the death of the neurons. Creatine helps to increase the brain's energy stores in the form of ATP. This increased ATP, in turn, powers calcium pumps that prevent the excess deposition of calcium in neurons, and thus prevent their premature death. As we age, the brain's innate antioxidant defense system becomes less efficient. This is a serious problem because the brain is largely composed of fat, which is susceptible to oxidation. Increased oxidation in the brain is associated with such degenerative diseases as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.In the brain, creatine provides antioxidant activity, particularly in the portions of the cells where energy is produced, the mitochondria. In doing so, creatine lowers excess oxidative activity, preserving mitochondria, which also results in a protective effect against the destruction of neurons. Studies in which creatine was given to aged mice show definite anti-aging effects, along with a significant increase in lifespan. While it would be premature to label creatine an "anti-aging" substance in humans, continuing research will likely further clarify creatine's role in helping to blunt some of the ravages of aging, particularly in the brain.
