Creatine and Immune Support
Creatine serves as a molecular battery for immune cells by storing and distributing energy to power their fight against foreign or dangerous molecules in the body. Research has shown that the first thing T lymphocytes (T cells, especially Killer T cells) do when they face a “bad cell” is armor up with more creatine receptors. Then they can take on extra creatine because they need the cellular energy that creatine provides if they are going to win a fight against dangerous cells. When they have enough creatine, the T cells win – when they don’t, they often lose and the bad cells proliferate and/or make us sick. Supplementing with creatine may be an efficient way to provide additional energy to T cells, to better ward off toxic or harmful molecules in the body.
Improving T Lymphocyte Function with Creatine
Our innate immune system is a defense system which humans are born with – our natural immunity. It protects your body against microbial and viral assault. It keeps harmful materials from entering your body, acting as the first line of defense in the immune response system.
Adaptive immune responses are carried out by different classes of lymphocytes, called B cells and T cells. T lymphocytes develop from stem cells in the bone marrow and as we are exposed to different dangerous cells, they adapt to learn how to kill or neutralize them. They are congruent with the old saying, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”. They help protect the body and learn from infections and exposures.
Supplementing with bioavailable creatine helps to restore T lymphocytes with the creatine, and therefore the energy that they need to function. This can help the body fight a specific viral or microbial threat, but can also help to boost the immune system in general. Recent research shows it also boosts T cell energy for a range of immune system responses as a part of ensuring all cells in the body have enough energy.
Resources
- Creatine & Covid
- Creatine and Doxorubicin
- Creatine, Cancer, and T-Cells- Creatine powers T cells’ fight against cancer
- Creatine 2020 review- Creatine metabolism: energy homeostasis, immunity, and cancer biology
- Creatine review 2021- The Role of Creatine in the Development and Activation of Immune Responses
- Read More