Has anyone tried creatine for post covid fatigue?

Posted by bmd @bmd, Sep 22, 2023

I read an article recently about taking creatine to help with post covid fatigue. I was wondering if anyone here has tried it.

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what do you expect the creatinine can or will do? and what form would you take?
thank you,

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This review summarizes creatine’s impact on mitochondrial function besides restoring ATP-storage. Creatine monohydrate is one of the best-known nutrient supplements mainly being used for improvement of athletic performance. However, there is growing evidence for a broader therapeutic spectrum of this nitrogen–amino-compound. Various health-promoting effects on cell-metabolism after the intake of creatine have been shown. Its impact on mitochondrial integrity has become of special interest. Mitochondrial dysfunction has become a central pathological hallmark of non-communicable diseases. The supplementation of creatine monohydrate may have some synergistic effects in the treatment of CND. This seems to be directly related to its protective effects on mitochondria. Different from pharmaceutical products, the intake of creatine is safe age- and gender-independent with nearly no side-effects [49,50]. Although these findings are promising, much of the available data has been generated with in vitro or animal studies. Therefore, there is a need to conduct more clinical trials in humans to assess the potential therapeutic effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on conditions influencing mitochondrial function.

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I’m considering capsule form.
From what I’ve read, its efficacy depends also on exercising regularly for optimal benefit. Fluid retention is a possible side effect which I do not welcome, but it appears that happens with large dosage, which I would not do.
Before taking this, I urge you to speak with your doctor as individual conditions must be
considered before trying something new.

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@bmd

I’m considering capsule form.
From what I’ve read, its efficacy depends also on exercising regularly for optimal benefit. Fluid retention is a possible side effect which I do not welcome, but it appears that happens with large dosage, which I would not do.
Before taking this, I urge you to speak with your doctor as individual conditions must be
considered before trying something new.

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i can see why you are considering this.
i will bring it up with my functional doctor.
i have tried several things that don’t work like antihistamines,
and antidepressants.
amla has worked for gut issues.

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This is a frustrating journey!
If you do try it, I hope you get some good results.

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I just read about this yesterday.
After three months of taking creatine, patients also registered 'significantly improved scores' for other several long-Covid related symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, body aches, headache and brain fog – and further improved scores after a six-month follow-up.

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That sounds great. Was suggested to me by a very smart friend of mine who researches everything.
Sounds like it’s worth a try for sure. I’ve resigned myself that these issues will be with me for the rest of my days, but maybe the creatine can help manage them better.

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Here is a copy of an article that details the study more thoroughly. They used 4g creatine a day. Promising!
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230922/Could-creatine-supplementation-be-the-answer-to-post-COVID-19-fatigue.aspx

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@bmd

This review summarizes creatine’s impact on mitochondrial function besides restoring ATP-storage. Creatine monohydrate is one of the best-known nutrient supplements mainly being used for improvement of athletic performance. However, there is growing evidence for a broader therapeutic spectrum of this nitrogen–amino-compound. Various health-promoting effects on cell-metabolism after the intake of creatine have been shown. Its impact on mitochondrial integrity has become of special interest. Mitochondrial dysfunction has become a central pathological hallmark of non-communicable diseases. The supplementation of creatine monohydrate may have some synergistic effects in the treatment of CND. This seems to be directly related to its protective effects on mitochondria. Different from pharmaceutical products, the intake of creatine is safe age- and gender-independent with nearly no side-effects [49,50]. Although these findings are promising, much of the available data has been generated with in vitro or animal studies. Therefore, there is a need to conduct more clinical trials in humans to assess the potential therapeutic effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on conditions influencing mitochondrial function.

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I found the same information you posted when I investigated this too. However, I m going to begin taking it for restoration of lost muscle mass. This was a result of extreme fatigue that created a lengthy phase of inactivity post 2nd COVID. Muscle loss is very serious for an older person. The water retention another post mentioned from creatine is a temporary effect of this chemical for muscle development when used in conjunction with resistance and weights exercises. It's an aspect of the muscle building process and is in the developing muscle and not generalized edema. I chose a product from Amazon, also for sale online via Walmart, that's a bulk 100% single pure non-capsulated product so I can titrate my dose easily. I hope to also get cellular-based energy from it, but that's not my primary purpose for this. It'swonderful to have options we are free to use for self care which don't require direct medical prescription. However, I've submitted requests to my insurance company for coverage of my extensive nutritional supplements because THEY HAVE IMPROVED 75% of my SYMPTOMS OF PASC (long COVID) with medical evidence of such. I've been informed they are considering my request. They gave me a route to pursue this. My Dr has supported this by a prescription. I spend approx $200/month on supplements but can't afford all that benefits me at one time. I'm not financially secure at this point. But I need creatine now, and in loose bulk it's not too expensive. I'll give up something else for this and see what results I get until I get potential insurance reimbursement. The cost-benefit for me to take this and use light weights for muscle building is extreme. One fall, or the loss of an ability to perform even one essential activity of daily living would result in a downhill vortex of significant medical expenses for the insurance company. There is an incentive for insurers to pay for non-covered items in new situations is they have evidence of efficacy.
I'll be reading and posting here. There is always hope, but we don't always feel that way with chronic or misunderstood illnesses. Our inner spirits keep us seeking + trying. We keep finding. That's the beauty of America and other nations which allows the freedom to reach out for available options.

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@elliep

what do you expect the creatinine can or will do? and what form would you take?
thank you,

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See my post for my unsolicited response.

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