Creatine supplementation modifies fat deposition in arm and leg tissues in individuals with Down syndrome.

This dubbelblind trial enrolled 50 people with Down syndrome and compared oral creatine with dextrose placebo. Creatine was given at 20 g/day for 5 days, then 5 g/day for 6 months. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured body composition, while renal and hepatic laboratory markers were checked at baseline and six months.

After 6 months, the creatine group had a significant reduction in fat percentage in the arms and legs relative to placebo. The abstract says this pattern was particularly apparent among females. It did not report a significant change in total body fat or lean mass. Renal and hepatic biomarkers showed no adverse effects during the study.

This is a body-composition study in a clinical population with Down syndrome, not evidence that creatine changes ageing or longevity. The result is limited to regional adiposity measured by DXA. It does not show a gain in lean mass, and the abstract provides neither effect sizes nor p-values for the regional-fat finding. The authors recommend further work combining supplementation with exercise.

Creatine was safe during the study and promoted a selective reduction in regional adiposity in people with Down syndrome.