- Jun 25, 2006
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Creatine, the most studied and probably the most effective sports supplement, reduces the concentration of antioxidants in the blood. Brazilian researchers at the Federal University of Para discovered this in an experiment they did with a few dozen handball players. The Brazilians did not discover any adverse health effects.
The Brazilian study lasted 32 days, during which 26 male handball players did weight training. Some of them took nothing [COT], some were given a placebo [GP] and others were given creatine [GC]. The athletes in the creatine group were given 20 g creatine every day for the first five days, and then 5 g for the remaining days.
The supplementation had no effect on body composition. The weight with which the athletes could do maximal 1 rep did increase, as is shown in the simplified table below. If you click on it, a table with more information will appear.
The amount of antioxidants [TAS] in the players’ blood decreased, as shown in the table above. This table is also a simplified version. Click on it for the full figure.
If the antioxidant levels in athletes’ blood decline, you’d expect an increase in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]. The more thiobarbituric acid reactive substances there are in your blood, the more fatty acids in cell membranes are damaged by aggressive molecules – the free radicals. Normally antioxidants clear up free radicals.
But as you can see, there is no evidence of a statistically significant rise in the concentration of TBARS.
“These results suggest that creatine supplementation, despite promoting acute muscle strength improvement, may be harmful as it induces oxidative stress and decreases total antioxidant status”, the Brazilians conclude. “Nevertheless, further research is needed in this field to fully attest these results.”
Creatine reduces antioxidant levels in athletes
The publication of the Brazilian study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN) prompted Stephen Daniells of nutraingredients.com to get in touch with Jose Antonio, the president of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and editor in chief of the JISSN. [nutraingredients.com 31-Jan-2013]
Antonio found the Brazilian study ‘interesting’ but doubted whether the measured effects would have medical consequences. Animal studies have shown that mice live longer if they are given a small amount of creatine in their food, was Antonio’s response.
“Unless someone can demonstrate that having greater oxidative stress with creatine supplementation in turn causes something of clinical significance, then in my opinion, this study will be a mere footnote in the annals of sports supplement research”, added Antonio.
We reserve judgement for the time being. Although we know many athletes who use creatine without problems, we also know a few who can’t take creatine without feeling nauseous. Maybe this study explains why.
Effects of creatine supplementation on oxidative stress profile of athletes.
Percário S, Domingues SP, Teixeira LF, Vieira JL, de Vasconcelos F, Ciarrocchi DM, Almeida ED, Conte M.
Source
Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil. [email protected].
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Creatine (Cr) supplementation has been widely used among athletes and physically active individuals. Secondary to its performance-enhancing ability, an increase in oxidative stress may occur, thus prompting concern about its use. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Cr monohydrate supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and oxidative stress profile in healthy athletes.
METHODS:
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled method was used to assess twenty-six male elite Brazilian handball players divided into 3 groups: Cr monohydrate supplemented group (GC, N = 9), placebo group (GP, N = 9), no treatment group (COT, N = 8) for 32 days. All subjects underwent a resistance training program. Blood samples were drawn on 0 and 32 days post Cr supplementation to analyze the oxidative stress markers, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and uric acid. Creatine phosphokinase, urea, and creatinine were also analyzed, as well. Fitness tests (1 repetition maximum – 1RM and muscle endurance) were performed on the bench press. Body weight and height, body fat percentage (by measuring skin folds) and upper muscular area were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA.
RESULTS:
Only GC group showed increase in 1RM (54 ± 9 vs. 63 ± 10 kg; p = 0.0356) and uric acid (4.6 ± 1.0 vs. 7.4 ± 1.6 mg/dl; p = 0.025), with a decrease in TAS (1.11 ± 0.34 vs. 0.60 ± 0.19 mmol/l; p = 0.001). No differences (pre- vs. post-training) in TBARS, creatine phosphokinase, urea, creatinine, body weight and height, body fat percentage, or upper muscular area were observed in any group. When compared to COT, GC group showed greater decrease in TAS (-0.51 ± 0.36 vs. -0.02 ± 0.50 mmol/l; p = 0.0268), higher increase in 1RM (8.30 ± 2.26 vs. 5.29 ± 2.36 kg; p = 0.0209) and uric acid (2.77 ± 1.70 vs. 1.00 ± 1.03 mg/dl; p = 0.0276).
CONCLUSION:
We conclude that Cr monohydrate supplementation associated with a specific resistance program promoted a meaningful increase in muscle strength without inducing changes in body composition. The observed significant increase in uric acid and the decrease in TAS suggest that creatine supplementation, despite promoting acute effects on muscle strength improvement, might induce oxidative stress and decreases total antioxidant status of subjects.
PMID: 23259853 [PubMed] PMCID: PMC3543170
Source: Effects of creatine supplementation on... [J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI
The Brazilian study lasted 32 days, during which 26 male handball players did weight training. Some of them took nothing [COT], some were given a placebo [GP] and others were given creatine [GC]. The athletes in the creatine group were given 20 g creatine every day for the first five days, and then 5 g for the remaining days.
The supplementation had no effect on body composition. The weight with which the athletes could do maximal 1 rep did increase, as is shown in the simplified table below. If you click on it, a table with more information will appear.
The amount of antioxidants [TAS] in the players’ blood decreased, as shown in the table above. This table is also a simplified version. Click on it for the full figure.
If the antioxidant levels in athletes’ blood decline, you’d expect an increase in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]. The more thiobarbituric acid reactive substances there are in your blood, the more fatty acids in cell membranes are damaged by aggressive molecules – the free radicals. Normally antioxidants clear up free radicals.
But as you can see, there is no evidence of a statistically significant rise in the concentration of TBARS.
“These results suggest that creatine supplementation, despite promoting acute muscle strength improvement, may be harmful as it induces oxidative stress and decreases total antioxidant status”, the Brazilians conclude. “Nevertheless, further research is needed in this field to fully attest these results.”
Creatine reduces antioxidant levels in athletes
The publication of the Brazilian study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN) prompted Stephen Daniells of nutraingredients.com to get in touch with Jose Antonio, the president of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and editor in chief of the JISSN. [nutraingredients.com 31-Jan-2013]
Antonio found the Brazilian study ‘interesting’ but doubted whether the measured effects would have medical consequences. Animal studies have shown that mice live longer if they are given a small amount of creatine in their food, was Antonio’s response.
“Unless someone can demonstrate that having greater oxidative stress with creatine supplementation in turn causes something of clinical significance, then in my opinion, this study will be a mere footnote in the annals of sports supplement research”, added Antonio.
We reserve judgement for the time being. Although we know many athletes who use creatine without problems, we also know a few who can’t take creatine without feeling nauseous. Maybe this study explains why.
Effects of creatine supplementation on oxidative stress profile of athletes.
Percário S, Domingues SP, Teixeira LF, Vieira JL, de Vasconcelos F, Ciarrocchi DM, Almeida ED, Conte M.
Source
Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil. [email protected].
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Creatine (Cr) supplementation has been widely used among athletes and physically active individuals. Secondary to its performance-enhancing ability, an increase in oxidative stress may occur, thus prompting concern about its use. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Cr monohydrate supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and oxidative stress profile in healthy athletes.
METHODS:
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled method was used to assess twenty-six male elite Brazilian handball players divided into 3 groups: Cr monohydrate supplemented group (GC, N = 9), placebo group (GP, N = 9), no treatment group (COT, N = 8) for 32 days. All subjects underwent a resistance training program. Blood samples were drawn on 0 and 32 days post Cr supplementation to analyze the oxidative stress markers, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and uric acid. Creatine phosphokinase, urea, and creatinine were also analyzed, as well. Fitness tests (1 repetition maximum – 1RM and muscle endurance) were performed on the bench press. Body weight and height, body fat percentage (by measuring skin folds) and upper muscular area were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA.
RESULTS:
Only GC group showed increase in 1RM (54 ± 9 vs. 63 ± 10 kg; p = 0.0356) and uric acid (4.6 ± 1.0 vs. 7.4 ± 1.6 mg/dl; p = 0.025), with a decrease in TAS (1.11 ± 0.34 vs. 0.60 ± 0.19 mmol/l; p = 0.001). No differences (pre- vs. post-training) in TBARS, creatine phosphokinase, urea, creatinine, body weight and height, body fat percentage, or upper muscular area were observed in any group. When compared to COT, GC group showed greater decrease in TAS (-0.51 ± 0.36 vs. -0.02 ± 0.50 mmol/l; p = 0.0268), higher increase in 1RM (8.30 ± 2.26 vs. 5.29 ± 2.36 kg; p = 0.0209) and uric acid (2.77 ± 1.70 vs. 1.00 ± 1.03 mg/dl; p = 0.0276).
CONCLUSION:
We conclude that Cr monohydrate supplementation associated with a specific resistance program promoted a meaningful increase in muscle strength without inducing changes in body composition. The observed significant increase in uric acid and the decrease in TAS suggest that creatine supplementation, despite promoting acute effects on muscle strength improvement, might induce oxidative stress and decreases total antioxidant status of subjects.
PMID: 23259853 [PubMed] PMCID: PMC3543170
Source: Effects of creatine supplementation on... [J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI