Is there such a thing as a creatine non-responder?

    Last Updated: April 8, 2024

    Yes, there is, in fact, such a thing as a creatine non-responder!

    In general, oral supplementation of creatine increases muscle creatine content by 15%–20%, which is more than a 20 millimolar (mM) increase. Individuals who get a response of this magnitude are considered creatine responders.[1][2][3][4] Creatine non-responders are individuals whose muscle creatine content increases by less than 10 mM after prolonged supplementation with creatine,[5] while creatine quasi-responders are individuals whose muscle creatine content increases by 10–20 mM.[5]

    Non-response to supplemental creatine is thought to explain instances in which not all participants benefit from supplementing with creatine in trials.[6]

    References

    1. ^Casey A, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Howell S, Hultman E, Greenhaff PLCreatine ingestion favorably affects performance and muscle metabolism during maximal exercise in humans.Am J Physiol.(1996-Jul)
    2. ^Hultman E, Söderlund K, Timmons JA, Cederblad G, Greenhaff PLMuscle creatine loading in menJ Appl Physiol (1985).(1996 Jul)
    3. ^Febbraio MA, Flanagan TR, Snow RJ, Zhao S, Carey MFEffect of creatine supplementation on intramuscular TCr, metabolism and performance during intermittent, supramaximal exercise in humans.Acta Physiol Scand.(1995-Dec)
    4. ^Robinson TM, Sewell DA, Hultman E, Greenhaff PLRole of submaximal exercise in promoting creatine and glycogen accumulation in human skeletal muscleJ Appl Physiol (1985).(1999 Aug)
    5. ^Syrotuik DG, Bell GJAcute creatine monohydrate supplementation: a descriptive physiological profile of responders vs. nonrespondersJ Strength Cond Res.(2004 Aug)
    6. ^Hadjicharalambous M, Kilduff LP, Pitsiladis YPBrain serotonin and dopamine modulators, perceptual responses and endurance performance during exercise in the heat following creatine supplementationJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2008 Sep 30)