Athletes and fitness influencers use creatine, but what is it? And does it work?

Creatine helps power short-duration, high-intensity activities like sprinting or lifting, and also those requiring moderately sustained energy, like tennis or hockey. Most people don’t need creatine supplements for general health – the body makes enough, aside from in rare and serious cases of genetic creatine deficiency disorder. Synthetic creatine comes in different formulations, but creatine monohydrate is the most studied, with the strongest evidence for efficacy. Creatine is often associated with athletes looking for an edge, but supplementation also can be helpful for older adults experiencing muscle loss. Vegetarians and vegans who supplement with creatine may also see greater improvements in their workouts and energy levels, since their diets contain less natural creatine.