Most people associate creatine with bodybuilders and athletes looking to build muscle. But emerging research suggests this widely-studied supplement may offer benefits far beyond the gym—potentially supporting cognitive function, memory, and brain energy metabolism. For patients on a weight loss journey who want to optimize both physical and mental performance, understanding what science actually says about creatine and brain health is increasingly relevant.
As someone who studied neuroscience at UCLA before pursuing a career in medicine, Dr. Sepehr Lalezari has a unique appreciation for the intersection of nutrition, metabolism, and brain function. Here’s what current research reveals about creatine’s potential cognitive benefits—and what it means for patients focused on improving their overall health.
Understanding Creatine’s Role in Brain Energy
Your brain is an energy-demanding organ. Despite representing only about 2% of your body weight, your brain consumes roughly 20% of your total energy. This constant demand for fuel makes the brain particularly sensitive to changes in energy metabolism.
Creatine plays a crucial role in energy transport within cells. It helps shuttle energy molecules (ATP) from where they’re produced in mitochondria to where they’re needed throughout the cell. This function is just as important in brain cells as it is in muscle cells—perhaps even more so given the brain’s relentless energy requirements.
Research using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has confirmed that creatine supplementation can increase creatine concentrations in the brain, though the uptake is slower and more limited compared to muscle tissue due to the blood-brain barrier’s selective permeability. This finding establishes a biological basis for investigating creatine’s potential cognitive effects.
What Current Research Shows
A comprehensive 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition examined 16 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 500 participants. The findings offer nuanced insights into creatine’s cognitive effects.
Memory Function: The analysis found statistically significant improvements in memory with creatine supplementation, with moderate certainty of evidence supporting this benefit.
Attention and Processing Speed: Participants showed improvements in attention time and information processing speed, though the certainty of evidence for these outcomes was lower than for memory.
Who Benefits Most: Subgroup analyses revealed that creatine supplementation appeared most beneficial for individuals under metabolic stress—including those who are sleep-deprived, experiencing mental fatigue, or dealing with cognitive challenges related to aging or specific health conditions. Women and individuals aged 18-60 showed particularly notable responses.
A separate 2024 study published in Scientific Reports found that even a single high dose of creatine improved cognitive performance during sleep deprivation, demonstrating creatine’s potential to support brain function during periods of metabolic stress.
Creatine and Brain Health in Aging
Research on creatine’s cognitive benefits in older adults has generated considerable interest. A 2025 systematic review in Nutrition Reviews examining creatine and cognition in aging populations concluded that limited evidence suggests creatine may be associated with cognitive benefits in generally healthy older adults, though researchers emphasize that more high-quality clinical trials are needed.
Perhaps most intriguingly, a pilot study conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center tested creatine supplementation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. While primarily designed to assess feasibility and safety, the study showed an 11% increase in brain creatine levels and preliminary improvements in working memory and executive function. The researchers noted these results provide rationale for larger clinical trials.
Important Considerations and Limitations
While the research is promising, it’s essential to approach these findings with appropriate perspective.
The Evidence is Still Emerging: Most studies involve relatively small sample sizes, and researchers consistently call for larger, more robust clinical trials to confirm findings. A 2025 commentary in The Journal of Nutrition cautioned against overinterpreting preliminary results, noting a disconnect between marketing enthusiasm and the current strength of scientific evidence.
Effects May Vary: Research suggests creatine’s cognitive benefits are most pronounced in individuals under some form of metabolic stress. Healthy, well-rested individuals eating adequate protein may see less dramatic effects.
Individual Factors Matter: Factors like dietary intake (vegetarians typically have lower baseline creatine levels), age, sex, and overall health status can influence how someone responds to supplementation.
Dosing Questions Remain: Standard athletic dosing (3-5 grams daily) may not be optimal for brain benefits, as some researchers theorize higher doses may be needed to meaningfully increase brain creatine levels. However, optimal protocols for cognitive benefits are still being established.
Relevance for Weight Loss Patients
For patients undergoing weight loss—whether through medical management, procedural interventions, or bariatric surgery—creatine supplementation deserves consideration for several reasons.
Muscle Preservation: During caloric restriction and rapid weight loss, preserving lean muscle mass is crucial. Creatine is well-established for supporting muscle maintenance, which becomes doubly valuable when you consider that maintaining muscle mass also supports metabolic health.
Cognitive Support During Transition: The metabolic changes during significant weight loss can sometimes affect energy levels and mental clarity. While more research is needed, creatine’s potential to support brain energy metabolism may be particularly relevant during this transition period.
Overall Wellness: At Lalezari Surgical, we view weight loss as one component of comprehensive health improvement. Supplements that potentially support both physical and cognitive function align with this whole-person approach.
Consulting With Your Healthcare Team
Before starting any supplement, including creatine, patients should consult with their healthcare providers. This is particularly important for individuals with kidney conditions, those taking certain medications, or anyone with specific health concerns.
Our registered dietitian, Jalene Lowthorp, MS, RD, works closely with patients at Lalezari Surgical to develop personalized nutrition plans that may include evidence-based supplementation strategies. Whether you’re preparing for weight loss surgery, managing your health with GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide, or maintaining your results long-term, having professional guidance on nutrition and supplements ensures you’re making informed decisions.
The Bottom Line
Creatine’s potential cognitive benefits represent an exciting area of ongoing research. Current evidence suggests it may support memory, attention, and processing speed—particularly in individuals experiencing some form of metabolic stress. However, the research is still evolving, and creatine shouldn’t be viewed as a miracle brain booster.
What we can say with confidence is that creatine is one of the most extensively studied supplements available, with an excellent safety profile when used appropriately. For patients focused on optimizing their overall health—not just their weight—discussing creatine with your healthcare team may be worthwhile.
Learn More About Comprehensive Weight Loss Care
At Lalezari Surgical, Dr. Sepehr Lalezari and our team take a comprehensive approach to weight loss that considers all aspects of your health and wellness. From surgical options like gastric sleeve and gastric bypass to medical weight loss programs featuring the latest GLP-1 medications, we’re committed to helping Los Angeles patients achieve lasting transformation.
If you have questions about nutrition, supplementation, or any aspect of your weight loss journey, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can support your health goals with evidence-based, personalized care.
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