2021 Update:
Not only can creatine literally save a child’s life (see below…), it may be of benefit to unborn babies as well as the mother. An important review paper just published examines the literature examining the role of creatine across the spectrum of topics such as fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and hypoxia-induced perinatal injury. The abstract is below as well as a link to the full paper. (1)
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Yes, literally, and could save other children from a lifetime of ill health easily avoided. Genetic disorders effect millions of children, and there’s 29 currently screened for by simple blood test, but not the one this baby and others suffer from. Some children have been mistakenly diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (and likely other disorders) when in fact it was an easily treatable disorder known as GAMT deficiency or simply “creatine deficiency disorder.”
GAMT deficiency, which can be tested for easily, has some researchers pushing for newborn screening that would use the same blood test that screens for 29 recommended disorders. Without early intervention, brain damage can be permanent, so it must be caught early.
This recent story really brings home how this inexpensive non-toxic nutritional supplement could be a life saver for children with this easily testable genetic disorder:
Creatine deficiency among disorders underdiagnosed, researchers say
A developmental pediatrician diagnosed John with cerebral palsy.
‘It kind of took our world and flipped it upside down,’ Melissa said.
Then, when John was 13-months-old, a second opinion changed everything. A team at Duke University Medical Center diagnosed him with a creatine deficiency, known as GAMT deficiency.
‘Creatine is essential to the body storing and retrieving energy for normal function of muscle and brain,’ said Dr. Dwight D. Koeberl, MD and associate professor at Duke University Medical Center’s Division of Pediatrics.
John’s body wasn’t making any. Within a few months of his diet and adding supplements, John began to walk and talk.”
A web site set up by the mother of the child who was saved by creatine, as a resource for other parents can be found HERE.
A more all encompassing term being used at the site linked above is, Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes (CCDS). CCDS “… are a group of inborn errors of creatine metabolism including AGAT, CTD, and GAMT. Symptoms may include: intellectual delays, expressive speech and language delay, autistic-like behavior, hyperactivity, seizures, projectile vomiting in infancy, failure to thrive, and movement disorders”
Bottom Line
As anyone who my stuff is well aware, I have been a big proponent of creatine (as monohydrate ) for decades, and studies continue to grow showing a wide variety of potential health benefits and that directly impact various diseases in a positive manner. I don’t think there’s anyone who would not benefit in some way from this supplement at this point, but it’s especially important that infants get tested for CCDS as they are for other inborn errors of metabolism.
If you want more info on the various benefits of creatine, searching the BrinkZone will also bring up articles and vids HERE.
(1) Creatine Metabolism in Female Reproduction, Pregnancy and Newborn Health. Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 490;
Abstract;
Creatine metabolism is an important component of cellular energy homeostasis. Via the creatine kinase circuit, creatine derived from our diet or synthesized endogenously provides spatial and temporal maintenance of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production; this is particularly important for cells with high or fluctuating energy demands. The use of this circuit by tissues within the female reproductive system, as well as the placenta and the developing fetus during pregnancy is apparent throughout the literature, with some studies linking perturbations in creatine metabolism to reduced fertility and poor pregnancy outcomes.
Maternal dietary creatine supplementation during pregnancy as a safeguard against hypoxia-induced perinatal injury, particularly that of the brain, has also been widely studied in pre-clinical in vitro and small animal models. However, there is still no consensus on whether creatine is essential for successful reproduction.
This review consolidates the available literature on creatine metabolism in female reproduction, pregnancy and the early neonatal period. Creatine metabolism is discussed in relation to cellular bioenergetics and de novo synthesis, as well as the potential to use dietary creatine in a reproductive setting. We highlight the apparent knowledge gaps and the research “road forward” to understand, and then utilize, creatine to improve reproductive health and perinatal outcomes.
Full Paper HERE.
Will Brink is the owner of the Brinkzone Blog. Will has over 30 years experience as a respected author, columnist and consultant, to the supplement, fitness, bodybuilding, and weight loss industry and has been extensively published. Will graduated from Harvard University with a concentration in the natural sciences, and is a consultant to major supplement, dairy, and pharmaceutical companies.
His often ground breaking articles can be found in publications such as Lets Live, Muscle Media 2000, MuscleMag International, The Life Extension Magazine, Muscle n Fitness, Inside Karate, Exercise For Men Only, Body International, Power, Oxygen, Penthouse, Women’s World and The Townsend Letter For Doctors.
He’s also been published in peer reviewed journals.
Will is the author of the popular e-books, both accompanied by private members forum access , Bodybuilding Revealed & Fat Loss Revealed.
You can also buy Will’s other books on Amazon, Apple iBook, and Barnes and Noble.
Great story. Hopefully it will help someone else who may need this information.
My sister was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson ’s disease (she was in her early 40’s). I told her to start taking Creatine Monohydrate and that it might help her. On her next visit to her doctor she told the doctor what I suggested. The doctor threw up her arms and spent 5 minutes telling my sister how dangerous Creatine is. My sister reported this to me about the same time I found your site and paper on Creatine.
I printed out the paper (I had a web address to your site hand written on the print out) and gave it to my sister who took it to the doctor. One month later the doctor apologized and told my sister to start taking Creatine.
The doctor, herself, actually followed up on the references in your paper on Creatine and was EXTREMELY impressed.
Keep up the good work Will. You’re changing the world.
Was it the Creatine Report you gave the doc? I wrote that specifically for both clinicians (medical professionals. etc) and non science types so they could get the full info on creatine. Although the report could use some updating, studies published since the original report have simply continued to support, or add new benefits, of creatine. Glad it helped your sister.
Yes it was the Creatine Report. This doctor is world renown and one of the top 10 doctors in the Parkinson’s arena and she was impressed with your Creatine Report. The world thinks the only information we bodybuilders get is from Bro Science, but they don’t know about guys like you.
As I wrote for virtually every major bbing publication for years and am fairly well
known via the net, plenty of bbers do know my creatine info. But, there’s
plenty who don’t and yes, depend on the bro science. Im happy to say
many docs, etc have read that report.
Great story Will but you might want to fix your typos. You’re spelling John at least three different ways 😉
I’m Mr Typo Pat, but you’ll note the spelling of his name is inside quotes. So, that’s the person I cut and pasted the quotes from. The kids name is John Klor, and it looks like they sort of combined his name into one in a few spots. I changed them all to John, but technically not an exact quote now. If you see typos outside the bold quotes, that’s me for sure.
Amazing! Way to go Will. I have been preaching the bennies of creatine for years to family and friends. Years ago, the show CSI aired a episode in which a young athlete died from creatine. No overdose mind you. And this is what people remember. Like Melatonin and some other sup’s, creatine just gets better and better. Thanks Will.
CSI is a fun show. The problem is many get their “facts” from silly shows like CSI. 🙁
Question: did the creatine help with the Parkinson?