The Effects of Creatine and Protein Supplementation on Bone Catabolism in Older Men

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that creatine supplementation may have beneficial effects on bone. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of low-dose creatine combined with protein supplementation during resistance training on a marker of bone catabolism (N-telopeptide cross-links of type I collagen) in healthy older men. METHODS: Men (65.4±4.7y) were randomized (double blind) to receive either 0.1 g/ kg body mass/d creatine (n=13), 0.1 g/kg body mass/d creatine and 0.3 g/kg body mass/d protein (n=7), or protein only (n=11) for 10 weeks. Subjects ingested their supplements 3 days per week, with half of the supplement ingested before, and half ingested after performing a bout of whole-body resistance training. Twentyfour hour urine samples were collected before and after the 10 weeks of training and supplementation and analyzed by ELISA for N-telopeptide cross links of type I collagen (NTx). RESULTS: There were no signficant group x time interactions for absolute changes (changes from pre to post were: Creatine group 59±25 to 45±25; Creatine + Protein group 56±26 to 35±24; Protein group 51±27 to 47±23 nM BCE/ mM creatinine). When the groups receiving creatine were combined, they had a greater relative decrease in NTx compared to the protein group (−24±20% vs. +13±82%; p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Creatine supplementation during a resistance training program is beneficial for reducing bone catabolism in older men. Supported by Experimental and Applied Sciences (EAS)