Creatine: The surprising solution for sleep-deprived brains?

In this Special Feature, we look at what studies have found out about sleep techniques and memory consolidation.

 

Can we harness sleep to enhance learning and memory? Your voice matters — help shape the future of our newsletters Before we get into today's feature, I'd like to invite you to take part in MNT's newsletter survey. It only takes a few minutes, and your contribution will help guide how our newsletters evolve this year and beyond. Take the survey now. We've all been there — after a night of tossing and turning, you're expected to perform at your best the next day, whether it's at work, school, or in a high-stakes situation. What if there was a way to give your brain a boost, even when running on little to no sleep? A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that creatine may be the answer. Creatine, a compound produced naturally in the body and found in certain foods, is well known in the fitness world for its potential to enhance athletic performance. More recently, its cognitive benefits have come under the spotlight. In the new study, researchers found that a single high dose of creatine significantly improved cognitive performance in sleep-deprived participants. The effects were seen just 3 hours after taking the supplement and lasted up to 9 hours. As Scott Forbes, PhD, an expert on creatine and brain function, notes, "These findings could be highly applicable to first responders — firefighters, military, police — healthcare workers, pilots, or athletes who may have trouble sleeping yet need to have their brains functioning at a high level." It's important to note that creatine supplements are not without risks, particularly at high doses. As with any supplement, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting. However, for those finding it difficult to maintain cognitive or brain function after a sleepless night, creatine may offer a glimmer of hope. To learn more about the potential cognitive benefits of creatine and the latest research in this area, jump to "Sleep deprived? Study finds creatine supplements may improve cognitive performance." Also making headlines this week: The food additives that may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes Why losing your keys need not be a sign of dementia or memory loss How AI could provide early warnings for both cardiac arrhythmia and cancer Our latest podcast examines a claimed link between fasting and heart disease We'll return with our regular daily newsletter tomorrow. In the meantime, don't forget to complete our quick reader survey! We love to hear from you, so please get in touch by email if you have any feedback, comments, or questions about this week's Sunday Supplement. Stay informed and stay healthy! Tim Snaith Newsletter Editor, Medical News Today In case you missed it Food additives in cakes, biscuits may increase type 2 diabetes risk   A new study has identified 7 food additive emulsifiers found in common, mass-produced foods that are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Read on   Less calcium at dinner, more at breakfast may help lower cardiovascular risk   New research suggests that the time of day at which a person consumes calcium may influence whether their cardiovascular risk increases or decreases. Read on   Misplaced your keys? How to distinguish dementia from normal age-related memory loss   Experts say misplacing keys or other everyday items isn't necessarily a sign of dementia or other serious memory loss issues. They note there are ways you can keep your memory sharp. 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Read on   Healthy lifestyle may offset effects of life-shortening genes by more than 60%   Researchers say healthy lifestyle habits such as following a diet, doing exercises, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption can offset the effects of life-shortening genes and lower the risk of premature death. Read on   MORE HEALTH NEWS

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