Creatine Supplementation in Crohn’s Disease: The Null and the Research Hypothesis

Background: /Objectives: Creatine monohydrate (Cr) supplementation may serve as an effective first-line nutritional intervention to enhance gut metabolism and preserve lean body mass, specifically fat-free mass, thereby improving functional capacity and quality of life in individuals with Crohn’s disease (CD). This paper aims to explore the potential mechanisms through which creatine supplementation may benefit CD patients and review the current literature on this topic. Methods: Study identification was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-P guidelines. A total of 120,639 studies were initially identified using the selected keywords. After removing duplicates and excluding articles with irrelevant content, the remaining full-text studies were screened for eligibility. Results: Five studies were analyzed to assess the relationship between creatine supplementation and Crohn’s disease. Preliminary evidence suggests potential therapeutic benefits, although data remain limited. Conclusions: Creatine supplementation warrants further investigation through clinical trials and cohort studies. Emerging data from both in vitro and in vivo models indicate that Cr may help mitigate intestinal mucosal degradation. Additionally, its demonstrated benefits in other inflammatory conditions highlight its promise as a therapeutic strategy for promoting disease remission in CD. As a foundational step, further analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to document creatine-rich food sources and daily intake patterns is recommended before initiating clinical trials in Crohn’s disease cohorts.