Benefícios do uso de creatina em doenças neurodegenerativas: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by the progressive and irreversible loss of neuronal function. Given the complexity of these conditions and the absence of a definitive cure, there has been growing interest in complementary therapeutic approaches, such as creatine supplementation. This study aimed to investigate the potential positive and/or negative impacts of creatine supplementation in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, analyzing its safety, appropriate dosage, and the safe duration for chronic use. Information was retrieved through the following combinations of descriptors: creatine supplementation or creatine or supplementation and neurodegenerative diseases or Parkinson disease or Alzheimer disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and side effects or adverse effects, using the databases SciELO, LILACS, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and the CAPES Journal Portal. Inclusion criteria consisted of full-text articles available online in Portuguese or English, published within the last ten years. Exclusion criteria included publications prior to 2014, editorials, letters to the editor, books and book chapters, dissertations, and theses. The final sample comprised five studies. Although creatine supplementation was generally well tolerated, the clinical benefits remain inconclusive, particularly in already diagnosed patients. Some studies showed promising effects in early or pre-manifest stages of Huntington’s disease, with doses ranging from 5 to 30 g/day and a favorable safety profile even with prolonged use. Conversely, clinical trials involving patients with Parkinson’s disease and ALS did not demonstrate consistent functional benefits. The data suggest that creatine has neuroprotective potential, especially in early stages, but its use should be cautious and supervised by qualified professionals, such as nutritionists, emphasizing the critical role of Nutrition in the multidisciplinary care of neurological disorders.