Thursday, February 3, 2011

Creatine-Levels are Lower in Vegetarians

Creatine is found mostly in meat, fish and other animal products. This is why creatine levels are known to be lower in vegetarians.

Creatine is an endogenous (made by the body) substance that is present in every human cell. It functions as an energy storehouse. Creatine is required for physical and mental exertion.

Due to it’s key role in the provision of energy, the influence of Creatine on cognitive functioning was examined, contrasting the effect in omnivores and vegetarians.

A random, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted by Benton D & Donohoe R at the Department of Psychology, University of Swansea, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK. involved 128 young adult females.  They were supplemented with creatine (20 g/d) for a period of 5 days. The Creatine supplementation was found to improve memory in the vegetarian subjects, and decrease the variability in the responses to a choice reaction-time task in both vegetarian and omnivorous subjects. These results suggest that vegetarian young women may benefit from supplementation with creatine.

For more information see Micronized Creatine