Brain creatine depletion in vegetarians? A cross-sectional ¹H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) study

Br J Nutr. 2014 Apr 14;111(7):1272-4. doi: 10.1017/S0007114513003802. Epub 2013 Nov 29.

Abstract

The present cross-sectional study aimed to examine the influence of diet on brain creatine (Cr) content by comparing vegetarians with omnivores. Brain Cr content in the posterior cingulate cortex was assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS). Dietary Cr intake was assessed by 3 d food recalls. Vegetarians had lower dietary Cr intake than omnivores (0.03 (SD 0.01) v. 1.34 (SD 0.62) g/d, respectively; P=0.005). However, vegetarians and omnivores had comparable brain total Cr content (5.999 (SD 0.811) v. 5.917 (SD 0.665) IU, respectively; P=0.77). In conclusion, dietary Cr did not influence brain Cr content in healthy individuals, suggesting that in normal conditions brain is dependent on its own Cr synthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aspartic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Aspartic Acid / metabolism
  • Brazil
  • Choline / metabolism
  • Creatine / administration & dosage
  • Creatine / deficiency
  • Creatine / metabolism*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet, Vegetarian / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Gyrus Cinguli / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Aspartic Acid
  • N-acetylaspartate
  • Creatine
  • Choline