#Function

Creatine, once mainly associated with bodybuilding, is gaining attention among middle-aged women in Thailand for physical and cognitive well-being. A recent feature in mainstream media highlighted how this supplement is reaching a broader audience, including women who report stronger muscles and clearer thinking. The narrative resonates with Thai women approaching menopause, who often seek practical strategies to maintain energy and vitality during this life phase.

Creatine is naturally produced in the body and helps generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells. However, natural production may fall short for individuals with active lifestyles or age-related metabolic changes. Medical experts note that supplementation can help bridge this gap, supporting muscle performance and brain energy, particularly during periods of stress or increased cognitive demand.

A small, cutting-edge study suggests the brain may temporarily convert its own myelin into fuel during extreme endurance events like marathons. This unexpected mechanism could help protect overall brain function when glucose supply drops during intense exercise.

Researchers in Spain followed 10 marathon runners, scanning their brains with MRI before and after the races. They found that 24 to 48 hours after finishing a grueling 42-kilometer run, myelin levels in key brain regions—those governing movement, coordination, sensation, and emotion—decreased noticeably. Importantly, these changes were not permanent. By two weeks post-race, myelin began to recover, and most participants returned to baseline within about two months.