Creatine Supplementation Shown To Improve Type 2 Diabetic Management

James Meschino DC, MS, ROHP
Studies conducted over the past two decades have shown that supplementation with creatine  increases strength, explosive power, speed endurance and lean mass gains in athletes of all ages.Creatine supplementation has also been shown to preserve strength and lean mass in aging persons, helping to keep them more functional. Other medical uses for creatine supplementation include improving strength and functionality in patients with multiple sclerosis, other neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic heart failure.Creatine supplementation has also been shown to minimize atrophy of immobilized limbs, as would occur when a limb is put in a cast to heal a bone fracture. (1)

A landmark study published in 2010 by Gualano et al, showed that creatine supplementation may also benefit type 2 diabetic patients. This study involved 25, type 2 diabetic patients. All patients where provided with an exercise regime. A sub-group of patients were also put on creatine supplementation, at a dosage of 5 gm (5000 mg) per day, for a period of 12-weeks.  Compared to the placebo group the diabetic patients supplemented with creatine showed improvement in a number of important parameters related to blood sugar control and other blood test that predict risk of long-term diabetes management in regard to related health problems such as diabetic eye disease (retinopathy),  diabetic kidney disease (nephropathy) and diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Creatine supplementation was shown to improve the ability of body cells to extract sugar (glucose) from the blood stream and use it as an energy source. This helps to overcome the primary defect in type 2 diabetes, whereby cells have difficulty transporting blood sugar from the blood stream into the cell.

The authors of this study conclude, “Creatine supplementation combined with an exercise program improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients”. (2)

As such, it may be advantageous to add 5 gm of creatine supplementation to the dietary and lifestyle management of type 2 diabetes.

References:

1. http://www.dynamicchiropractic.ca/mpacms/dc_ca/article.php?id=55698
2. Gualano B, Lancha AH Junior, et al. Creatine in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial,” Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2010 Sep 24