A new study suggests that increasing dietary creatine intake may help reduce fatigue in individuals experiencing long-term symptoms of COVID-19. Creatine is a compound that plays a vital role in cellular energy production. Participants who took creatine for six months after reporting long COVID symptoms experienced improvements in fatigue, body aches, loss of taste, breathing problems, and concentration issues.
Long COVID, also known as post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS), is associated with a range of debilitating symptoms, including sleep problems, dizziness, chest pain, depression, and anxiety. People with PVFS may struggle to perform everyday activities and experience unsatisfying sleep. The study, which was conducted in Germany, tracked the effects of creatine on 12 individuals aged 18 to 65 with confirmed COVID-19 in the previous three months.
Half of the participants received four grams of dietary creatine daily, while the other half received a placebo. The study found that those given creatine experienced significant improvements in fatigue after three months, and by six months, they also reported improvements in body aches, breathing issues, loss of taste, headaches, and concentration problems.
While the study was relatively small, the results suggest that creatine may have potential benefits for individuals with long COVID. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the effects of creatine on different populations of long COVID patients, such as the elderly, those with more severe symptoms, and those who have not been vaccinated. Additionally, larger studies should investigate the potential interaction of creatine with other interventions, such as breathing exercises, physiotherapy, or psychological support.
It is important to note that there is currently no clear evidence of creatine deficiency in post-viral fatigue states or long COVID. The study’s authors acknowledge the limitations of their research and emphasize the need for independent replication of their findings. Overall, dietary creatine appears to be safe when administered in the dosage used in the study for up to six months.
Sources:
– Study published in Food Science and Nutrition
– Professor Andrew R. Lloyd, infectious disease physician and director of the UNSW Fatigue Clinic and Research Program
