What's the Deal with Creatine — And Should You Be Taking It?

Okay, let's talk about the supplement that's so hot right now: creatine. You've probably seen it popping up in wellness aisles and Youtube ads, but is it actually worth the hype? Spoiler: yes, and especially for women.

Note: Before starting any new supplement, consult with your healthcare provider.

Here's the quick science: creatine is a naturally occurring compound your body makes from amino acids and also gets from food (hi, red meat and fish). It's stored in your muscles and helps your body produce ATP — basically your cells' energy currency. The problem? Women have 70–80% lower endogenous creatine stores compared to men,  which means we're often running on a deficit without even knowing it.

The benefits go way beyond the gym. Sure, creatine may improve high-intensity exercise performance, but research also shows it can support mood, cognitive function, and even bone health, particularly when combined with resistance training.  And for anyone in perimenopause or beyond, as estrogen declines, creatine declines too, which is associated with muscle and bone mass loss, making supplementation especially worth considering.

Creatine isn't just a "gym bro" supplement anymore. With more research, the benefits are real, and your body was literally made to use it.