The Effect of 4-Week Creatine Supplementation on Lipid Profile in Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives: Elevated levels of circulating cholesterol, lipids and glucose have been associated with pathologies such as heart disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Whilst pharmaceuticals help to manage these diseases, nutraceuticals have also been shown to elicit promising effects upon lipids and glucose sensitivity. Growing evidence also suggests that creatine supplementation, a popular ergogenic aid, may also serve as a therapeutic strategy for various pathologies. In addition to both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, evidence suggests that creatine may also attenuate circulating lipids and blood glucose. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of 4 weeks of creatine on lipids and blood glucose levels in older adults. Methods: Twelve older adults (M = 6, W = 6, 58 ± 3 years) consumed creatine monohydrate (CM) and placebo for 4 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Pre-and post-supplementation, participants underwent a fasted venous blood draw. Plasma levels of cholesterol (CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), non-HDL cholesterol (nHDLc), low density lipopro-tein (LDL), very LDL (vLDL), and glucose (GLU) were then analyzed using a Piccolo Xpress clinical chemistry analyzer. Results were analyzed by 2 × 2 Repeated Measures ANOVA, with significance accepted as p < 0.05. Results: Following CM supplementation there were significant improvements in fasted TG (Pre: 99.81 ± 35.35 mg/dL, Post: 83.82 ± 37.65 mg/dL, p