Does creatine supplementation improve glycemic control and insulin resistance in healthy and diabetic patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Creatine supplementation shows promising effects on diabetes, especially in glucose management and insulin secretion. This study aimed to review the literature on studies that evaluated the effects of creatine supplementation on parameters of diabetes in humans.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, until December 2020, in the following databases: Pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane. It included experimental studies that investigated the effects of creatine supplementation on diabetes treatment or prevention and its relationship with fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance.
RESULTS
Nine studies were included in the review, from which five showed some benefit of creatine supplementation in at least one diabetes parameter. In diabetic individuals (n = 2), creatine was beneficial. In the meta-analysis, there are no significant effect on fasting blood glucose [SMD: 0.05; CI95%: -0.53, 0.63; p = 0.28; I2 = 22%] and insulin resistance [SMD: -0.38; 95% CI: -0.90, 0.14; p = 0.22; I2 = 33%].
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrated an insufficient basis to state that creatine can positively affect diabetes parameters. Future studies should be conducted with diabetic individuals due to the potential of creatine on diabetes parameters.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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