Creatine not recommended for improving COPD outcomes

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Creatine does not improve exercise outcomes in patients with COPD, according to a new study.

Research conducted at the Institute for Lung Health at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital and involved 100 COPD patients, of whom 80 completed the trial.

They were randomly selected to receive either placebo or creatine over the course of a seven week pulmonary rehabilitation programme.

Those in the creatine group showed a marginal, but not significant improvement in shuttle walking test, but analysis showed no overall improvement.

Report author and specialist registrar at the hospital, Sarah Deacon, said: 'The most likely explanation is that any benefits of creatine have been submerged by the large training effect of physical training alone.'

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2008) 178: 233-239