Post-viral fatigue syndrome, including Long COVID and ME/CFS, represents a major challenge for modern medicine. Research shows that it can creatine As a dietary supplement, it significantly contributes to reducing fatigue, improving muscle function and supporting cognitive abilities.
Creatine and Long COVID
Studies have shown that creatine can reduce fatigue associated with Long COVID. A pilot study confirmed that creatine supplementation improved subjective and objective indicators of fatigue in patients. Six months of supplementation further demonstrated improved clinical outcomes and increased tissue creatine concentrations.
Creatine and ME/CFS
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that six weeks of creatine supplementation in patients with ME/CFS improves bioenergetic parameters in the brain. This confirms the role of creatine in supporting brain energy and reducing symptoms of chronic fatigue.
Creatine and cognitive function
A single dose of creatine has been shown to improve cognitive performance and altered cerebral high-energy phosphates during sleep deprivation. This suggests that creatine is not only important for muscle, but also for brain.
Creatine and exercise fatigue
Supplementing creatine after exercise reduces fatigue via anti-inflammatory action in skeletal muscle and brain. Low doses of creatine have been shown to increase resistance to fatigue without weight gain.
Muscle bioenergetics and fatigue
Research on skeletal muscle bioenergetics confirms that creatine improves the efficiency of energy metabolism during intense exercise. Creatine has been recognized as a key factor in health and disease, supporting energy homeostasis.
Mental fatigue
Previous research has shown that creatine improves cerebral oxygenation and reduces mental fatigue, which confirms its wide applicability.
Conclusion
Creatine is a promising dietary supplement for managing post-viral fatigue, Long COVID and ME/CFS. Supports muscles, brain and energy metabolism while reducing fatigue and improving quality of life.
References
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Ostojic, S.M.; Candow, D.G.; Tarnopolsky, M.A. Creatine and post-viral fatigue syndrome: an update. JISSN 2025.
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Prudente, R. et al. Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Fatigue Related to Long COVID. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2025.
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Godlewska, B.Ret al. Six-Week Supplementation with Creatine in ME/CFS. Nutrients 2024.
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Gordji-Nejad, A. et al. A single dose of creatine improves cognitive performance. Sci Rep 2024.
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Yokota, Y. et al. Creatine alleviates fatigue after exercise. Nutraceuticals 2023.
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Slankamenac, J. et al. Six-month creatine supplementation and post-COVID fatigue. Food Sci Nutr 2023.
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Broxterman, R.Met al. Skeletal muscle bioenergetics during all-out exercise. J Appl Physiol 2017.
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Kreider, R.B.; Stout, J.R. Creatine in Health and Disease. Nutrients 2021.
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Rawson, E.Set al. Low-dose creatine enhances fatigue resistance. Nutrition 2011.
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Watanabe, A. et al. Effects of creatine on mental fatigue. Neurosci Res 2002.
