Dietary Creatine and Cancer Risk in the U.S. Population: NHANES 2017–2020
Research snapshot:
2023 observational study finds a diet rich in creatine may reduce cancer risk in adults.
2023 |
Observational |
Creatine |
Cancer risk |
Overview.
A diet rich in creatine is associated with a reduced risk of cancer in U.S. adults aged 20 years and over.
Background.
A team of researchers associated with various institutions conducted this study, which was published in the Journal of Functional Foods.
Objectives.
The study aimed to examine the relationship between dietary creatine intake and cancer risk in the general U.S. population using data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Study design.
This was an observational study using data from NHANES 2017–2020, involving 7,344 respondents. The study analyzed detailed information about each food and beverage item consumed to calculate creatine intake from meat- and milk-based food sources.
Results.
The average daily creatine intake was 11.6 ± 11.5 mg per kg body mass. Cancer-free individuals consumed significantly more creatine per day than those with cancer (11.7 ± 11.6 mg/kg body mass vs. 10.6 ± 10.2 mg/kg body mass; P= 0.01). For every additional mg of creatine per kilogram of body mass consumed daily, the cancer rate was reduced by ∼ one percent.
Conclusions.
The study suggests that consuming a diet rich in creatine may be associated with a reduced risk of cancer or malignancy in U.S. adults aged 20 years and over. Further studies are necessary to confirm the potential benefits of creatine-rich foods or dietary supplements in the management of cancer.
Original paper.
Ostojic, S. M., Grasaas, E., & Cvejic, J. (2023). Dietary creatine and cancer risk in the U.S. population: NHANES 2017–2020. Journal of Functional Foods, 108, 105733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2023.105733
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