Creatine for six months can improve long COVID fatigue

A small study suggests that taking creatine as a supplement for six months may significantly improve clinical features of post–COVID-19 fatigue syndrome (long COVID). Those symptoms are:

Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Joint pain
Cognitive difficulties often referred to as “brain fog.”

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, found that creatine supplements led to reduced fatigue and improved scores for various long COVID-related symptoms, such as loss of taste, breathing difficulties, body aches, headaches, and concentration problems.

Creatine is a natural compound found in small amounts in certain foods and produced by the body, mainly in muscles. It plays a crucial role in the Adenosine Triphosphate -Phosphocreatine (ATP-PC) energy system, which is the primary source of energy for short bursts of intense activities lasting from 1 to 30 seconds, like weightlifting or sprinting.

Supplementing with creatine has been proven to increase the body's phosphocreatine stores, supporting the production of ATP, the primary energy source for cells. This supplementation can enhance strength, power, and endurance during exercise. Additionally, creatine has been studied for its potential to improve muscle recovery and reduce inflammation after exercise.

The ATP-PC system acts as a bridge between our short-term, high-intensity energy system and the intermediate energy system that burns sugars (glycolysis). Recycling energy through the ATP-PC system is vital for sustaining energy during exercise and, by extension, meeting the physical demands of daily activities.

The study also observed increased creatine levels in the brain and reduced lung and body pain among participants.

However, experts caution that the study's small sample size and the fact that the patients had recent COVID infections make it difficult to generalize the results, and further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of creatine supplements in treating long COVID. There were no major side effects reported from the creatine supplementation.

Slankamenac, J., Ranisavljev, M., Todorovic, N., Ostojic, J., Stajer, V. and Ostojic, S. M. (2023) Food Science & Nutrition. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.3597. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fsn3.3597

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