title: Effects of long-term low-dose dietary creatine supplementation in older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the effects of a one-year low-dose creatine supplementation trial on bone health, lean mass, and muscle function in older postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo controlled trial was conducted between November 2011 and November 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Postmenopausal osteopenic women were randomly allocated (1:1) into creatine (n=56; 1g/d) or placebo group (n=53; dextrose at same dose). At baseline and after one year of intervention, we assessed parameters of bone health, body composition, and muscle function. Blood parameters were also assessed before and after the intervention and adverse events were recorded throughout the trial. Possible differences in dietary intake were assessed by three 24-h dietary recalls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bone mineral density at lumbar spine, femoral neck, total femur, and whole body did not differ within- or between-groups. No significant changes in body weight, BMI, absolute and relative body fat, and body lean mass were observed. Muscle function, as assessed by timed-up-and-go and timed-stands tests, were not significantly changed within- or between-groups. Safety laboratory parameters remained unaltered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A one-year low-dose creatine supplementation (1g/d) was free of adverse effects, but did not affect bone health parameters, lean mass, or muscle function in older women. Further studies with longer follow-up periods and higher doses of creatine supplementation are warranted. (Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01472393).
authors.affiliation: Bone Laboratory Metabolism, Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel Medeiros
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tritto
authors.affiliation: Bone Laboratory Metabolism, Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luana Rodrigues
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Bone Laboratory Metabolism, Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paloma Borges
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Bone Laboratory Metabolism, Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiana Braga
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Benatti
authors.affiliation: Bone Laboratory Metabolism, Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; School of Physical Education and Sport, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hamilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roschel
authors.affiliation: AlzChem AG, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nieß
authors.affiliation: Bone Laboratory Metabolism, Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; School of Physical Education and Sport, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: gualano@usp.br.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gualano
authors.affiliation: Bone Laboratory Metabolism, Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rosa Maria Rodrigues
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003401:Creatine
keywords: Aging; Bone mass; Muscle function; Nutrition