Cognitive decline is a personally challenging issue that degrades the quality of life for those affected. It is also a growing public health burden, with one in nine adults aged 65 years and older living with some level of cognitive impairment. Previous research has identified dietary components that reduce age-related cognitive impairment, including vitamin E, folate, and vitamin D. Authors of a new report investigated the effects of creatine on cognitive function in older adults.
Creatine is a compound found primarily in the brain and muscle that is involved with the production of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Creatine is obtained in the diet from red meat, poultry, fish, and seafood and is also available as a dietary supplement. In older adults, metabolic dysfunction decreases cellular energy, potentially contributing to cognitive decline. One meta-analysis found that dietary creatine improves aspects of cognitive function in young and older healthy adults.
The authors of the current study analyzed data from more than 1,300 participants (average age, 71 years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a long-term study collecting lifestyle and health data from people living in the United States. Participants completed cognitive testing and a 24-hour dietary recall during an interview with NHANES staff. The researchers analyzed the dietary data for foods containing creatine and calculated each participant’s estimated daily creatine intake. This assessment did not include supplemental creatine.
Participants with higher dietary creatine intake tended to have higher cognitive scores, even after taking into account other nutrition factors and socioeconomic status. Participants in the top 50 percent of creatine intake consumed more than 0.95 grams of creatine per day, the amount in about 14 ounces of cooked beef or fish. These participants performed better on cognitive testing than those in the bottom 50 percent.
These findings suggest creatine from food may be protective against age-related cognitive decline. Future research is needed to determine a dose of creatine that improves cognition without damaging kidney health, which is a concern for older adult populations.
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