This article covers a new review of research on creatine, a supplement best known for athletic performance, and depression. The review, published in Brain Medicine, looked at five randomized trials with 238 participants and found mixed results.

In the article, Dr. Herman, who was not involved in the study, says this is an interesting area of research but that the evidence is not yet strong enough to recommend creatine as a stand-alone treatment for depression. He notes that anyone who is interested should talk with a healthcare professional first, especially people with kidney disease or bipolar disorder, or who take several medications. He also points out that depression is not a single condition and has many possible contributing factors.

Early research is a starting point, not a recommendation. A supplement that looks promising in a small group of studies may not work the same way for everyone, and it can interact with other conditions or medicines.

If you are living with low mood or depression, a licensed clinician can talk through your options and how any supplement might fit with your current care. Don’t stop or change a treatment without talking with your prescriber first.

Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM, DLFAPA, is Chief Medical Officer at Mentavi Health and a double board certified psychiatrist.

About Mentavi Health: Mentavi Health is an evidence-based telehealth company specializing in mental health care.

Read the full article in Healthline: Creatine and Depression: What Early Evidence Shows
Read the full article in AOL: Creatine and Depression: What Early Evidence Shows