Evidence supporting the use of: Creatine
For the health condition: Depression
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Creatine is an amino acid derivative well-known for its role in sports nutrition, but recent research has examined its potential role in supporting mood disorders, including depression. The scientific rationale stems from the fact that creatine serves as a critical component in cellular energy metabolism, particularly in brain cells. Several studies have found that people with major depressive disorder (MDD) may have impaired brain energy metabolism, which creatine supplementation could potentially ameliorate by increasing brain phosphocreatine stores.
A handful of small randomized controlled trials and open-label studies have explored creatine as an adjunct to standard antidepressant therapy, particularly in women. Some studies, such as a 2012 RCT in Biological Psychiatry, found that adding creatine (5g/day) to escitalopram improved depressive symptoms more rapidly and to a greater extent than placebo. However, other studies have found mixed or modest effects, and sample sizes have generally been small. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews to date suggest a possible benefit but emphasize the need for larger, high-quality trials to confirm efficacy and clarify the populations most likely to benefit.
Overall, while there is emerging scientific support for the use of creatine in depression, the evidence is still preliminary and not strong enough to recommend routine use. The evidence rating is 2/5, reflecting early but promising findings that require confirmation.
Other ingredients used for Depression
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Agarwood
Agmatine
Albizia
algal oil
Algal protein
Almond fruit
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpinia galangal
amino acids
Amor seco
anchovies
Angelica
aniracetam
anthocyanins
apigenin
Ardisia
arginine creatine
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
basil
bee products
Beef liver
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacterium longum
biogenic amine
biopterin
Black Hellebore
black tea
blackboard tree
brahmi
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
cannabichromene
cannabidiol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
caryophyllene
catalpol
Centella asiatica
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chocolate
choline
cistanche
citicoline
Citrus
Clary sage
clove
cocoa
coconut
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
commiphora
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
creatine
creatine monohydrate
crocin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
Cymbopogon martini
D-phenylalanine
damiana
devil\'s club
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
docosahexaenoic Acid
dodder
dopamine
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
egg
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
estrogen
fatty acids
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flavonoids
flavonols
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
fragrant rosewood
frankincense
fungus
gardenia
gastrodia
gastrodin
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glutamate
Glycine
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guanidinoacetic acid
Gypenoside
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
hemp
hemp oil
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
hyperforin
Hypericin
Hypericum
icariin
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inositol
inositol phosphate
isoliquiritigenin
jasmine
Jatamansi
jujube
kanna
Kokilaksha
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactalbumin
lactium casein decapeptide
lactoglobulin
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
Lebbek
lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
linalool
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
liquid liver fractions
lithium orotate
little ironweed
long pepper
luteolin
Lycopodium
maca
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Marine protein
Matcha
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Mesembrine
Methylcobalamin
Methylxanthine
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Monkey flower
Morinda
Moringa
Mugwort
Muira puama
Mulungu
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
Oroxylum indicum
Osthole
Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
phosphatidylserine
Phosphocreatine
phospholipids
Physalis angulata
phytocannabinoids
Phytoestrogens
Piper nigrum
poly-thyronine
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
polyphenols
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
Pulsatilla
Purple Monkeyflower
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rosabin
rosavins
rose
rose oil
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Rubiaceae
rue
Safed musli
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvia
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sandalwood
Sarcosine
sceletium
Schizochytrium Oil
Scleranthus annus
selenium
Sensitive Plant
Sete sangrias
Shankhpushpi
Shilajit
Sichuan Lovage
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
spirulina
St. John's Wort
star of Bethlehem
Stereospermum
Sulbutiamine
suma
Sweet Orange alcohol
Tea
Terpenoids
Tetrahydropalmatine
Thymoquinone
thyroid substance
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Trichilia catigua
Tumerone
turmeric
Uncaria
Uridine
Valerian root
velvet bean
Vervain
Vetiver
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Whey protein
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yerba buena
Yerba mate
Ylang ylang
Yohimbine
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingiberene
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by creatine
Alzheimer's DiseaseAthletic and Exercise Aids
Depression
Diabetes
Fatigue
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Migraine
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Parkinson's Disease
Wasting