The Claim

Creatine supplementation during resistance training increases femoral shaft subperiosteal width by 0.04 cm in postmenopausal women after 12 months, compared to a 0.12 cm decrease in placebo.

Source: Effects of Creatine and Resistance Training on Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
81score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In postmenopausal women who do resistance training, taking creatine for 12 months results in a 0.04 cm increase in the outer bone layer of the femur, while those taking a placebo experience a 0.12 cm decrease.

See the scientific wording

Creatine supplementation during resistance training increases femoral shaft subperiosteal width by 0.04 cm in postmenopausal women after 12 months, compared to a 0.12 cm decrease in placebo, suggesting improved bone bending strength independent of bone mineral density changes.

Why this might work

Creatine helps muscles generate more force during lifting, which pulls harder on the thigh bone. This increased pull triggers bone cells to lay down new bone on the outer surface of the shaft, making the bone thicker and stronger against bending, even without changing the bone's overall density.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effects of Creatine and Resistance Training on Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women.

    In a study with older women, those who took creatine while doing strength training saw their thigh bone get slightly thicker on the outside, while those who took a placebo saw it get thinner. This thicker outer layer makes the bone stronger against bending, even if the bone’s overall density didn’t change much.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.