Supplement, popular among fitness enthusiasts, might help relieve long COVID symptoms

Researchers from Serbia have found that creatine supplements can help with long COVID symptoms. The team conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 12 people who'd had a recent long COVID diagnosis, The Conversation reported.

Creatine supplement is very popular among fitness lovers. They are known to improve strength and power and are used to help in recovery post-workout. The researchers from Serbia aimed to tap into this potential of creatine supplements and wanted to know whether creatine could help combat fatigue, which is one of the most common and debilitating long COVID symptoms.

Participants were randomly assigned to either receive a daily creatine supplement or a placebo. The researchers measured the outcomes like how long participants could walk without feeling exhausted. This helped them to understand the level of creatine in the muscle and brain tissues.

The researchers found that there was no effect of creatine on fatigue levels but creatine had benefits when it comes to other long COVID symptoms (including loss of smell and taste, breathing difficulties, lung pain, body aches, headaches, and trouble concentrating). The researchers have said that they noticed that the participants who were on creatine supplements had improved long COVID signs.

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in certain foods and synthesized by the body, primarily in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It plays a key role in the energy metabolism of cells, especially in tissues that require quick bursts of energy, such as muscle tissue. Creatine is a popular dietary supplement among athletes, bodybuilders, and individuals looking to improve physical performance.

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Creatine supplements boost athletic performance. They amplify the strength, ballistic power, sprint ability, muscle endurance, resistance to fatigue, muscle mass, recovery, and brain performance. Before starting a creatine supplementation regimen, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider or a sports nutritionist, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Additionally, proper dosing and hydration are important considerations when using creatine supplements to maximize their benefits and minimize potential side effects.