Creatine may help build muscle even without exercise

Creatine helped middle-aged adults gain muscle and strength even without a structured workout program in a new 12-week study. When combined with exercise and a calorie-reduced diet, it produced even greater strength gains while helping participants add lean tissue and lose fat. Researchers say the results strengthen the case for creatine as a potentially useful tool for maintaining muscle with age.

Creatine may help build muscle even without exercise, researchers find. New findings from Texas A&M University suggest creatine may be particularly useful in middle age, when preserving muscle becomes increasingly important. In a 12-week study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, adults ages 45 to 65 who took creatine increased their lean tissue and strength even if they did not follow a structured exercise program.

Participants who combined creatine with regular exercise experienced even larger improvements. The results add to growing research exploring creatine as more than a supplement for athletes. Scientists are also studying whether it can help support muscle health and healthy aging.