Did you know that creatine can help your brain? Creatine is best known as a body building supplement, but taking this amino acid can also have huge implications for brain health. Creatine is used in the body for energy production, and the highest concentrations are found in muscles and the brain. Since it is highest in the muscles, it makes sense that body builders use creatine to support recovery from intense exercise and to build muscle mass. It can be an important supplement for many brain conditions too.
Research has been done looking at creatine supplementation for a wide variety of neurological conditions, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. Much of the research has been done on mouse models, but one practitioner who translated those mouse model dosages to human doses is Terry Wahls, MD. Dr Wahls is best known for The Wahls Protocol, which she developed to reverse her multiple sclerosis. In the initial stages of experimenting on herself, she started taking creatine along with other supplements including carnitine and CoQ10. It is important to note, she did this under medical supervision. As her protocol evolved she moved towards food sources of these nutrients. Two of the best sources of these nutrients are liver and heart.
Who Should Consider Creatine Supplementation?
Food sources will always be better utilized by the body, so if you have any kind of neurological condition then consider adding liver or heart to your diet. Pasture-raised versions of these can be found at health food stores, or you can talk to local farmers about sources. Don't like liver or heart? I hide them in meat loaf at a ratio of 3 parts ground meat to 1 part ground liver or heart. You can also put the liver into a blender and liquify it and mix it into soups.
In acute stages of a disease, or where muscle wasting or muscle function is a concern, therapeutic supplementation might also be beneficial. If you absolutely can't stomach the idea of consuming organ meats, then supplementation can offer an alternative.
If you think creatine supplementation might be of benefit to you then consult your doctor. If you have any kidney problems, then this supplement may not be appropriate for you. Any type of therapeutic supplementation should be medically supervised, whether it's with your GP or an ND.
Creatine Deficiency
Our bodies produce creatine from other amino acids, but there are genetic conditions that hinder the body's ability to use creatine. These conditions are called cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes, and there are several different conditions that fall under this category: guanidinoacetate methyltranferase (GAMT) deficiency, and l-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) deficiency, and creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency.
Who Do These Conditions Affect?
Since these disorders are genetic, a diagnosis can be made at any age, but males tend to be affected more due to the fact that it is an x-linked disorder. These disorders primarily affect the brain including mild to severe cognitive impairment, and speech delays. People with diagnosis such as autism, ADHD or developmental coordination disorder may have a creatine deficiency syndrome. Other symptoms can include seizures, slow growth, and delayed motor skills. A small number of individuals will also have microcephaly, and/or unusual heart rhythms.
What Do I Do If I Suspect A Creatine Deficiency Syndrome?
If your child or loved one has the symptoms above then it might be worth exploring a creatine deficiency syndrome. Talk to your doctor to see if it has already been ruled out, and if not, then a urine test can be done to measure creatine levels. If levels are high, then it means that the body hasn't been able to use the creatine, and is excreting it instead. If urine tests come back high, then the next step will likely be genetic testing. Once a creatine deficiency syndrome is confirmed, then a supplement protocol will be suggested. Supplementation may or may not be beneficial for individuals with these diagnosis, and it is not yet understood why some people benefit and others don't.
Creatine as a Brain Building Supplement
If you suffer from a neurological condition, then getting more creatine into your body is an important dietary step. Adding liver and/or heart to your meals might just be what your brain craves. Or talk to your doc about supplementing.
If a creatine deficiency syndrome is present, then testing might provide you with some answers to why symptoms are occurring.
Start adding liver or heart to your diet today. A homemade liver pate is hard to resist. http://paleoleap.com/simple-and-delicious-liver-pate-recipes/
Have you ever supplemented with creatine? What was your experience?
Happy, Healthy Eating!
Tracey