The Claim

Short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation (20 g/day for 3 days followed by 5 g/day for 7 days) causes upregulation of mRNA and protein content of key signaling kinases—p38 MAPK, ERK6, and PKBα/Akt1—in skeletal muscle tissue of healthy young men, with fold increases ranging from 1.3 to 5.0, indicating activation of cell signaling pathways associated with muscle growth and metabolism.

Source: Global and targeted gene expression and protein content in skeletal muscle of young men following short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation.

What the research says

Supports is higher

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

Supports
60score
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.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Taking creatine for just a week can turn on important muscle cell signals that help with growth and energy use in young, healthy guys.

See the scientific wording

Short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation (20 g/day × 3 days, then 5 g/day × 7 days) causes upregulation of mRNA and protein content of key signaling kinases in skeletal muscle of healthy young men, including p38 MAPK, ERK6, and PKBα/Akt1, with fold increases ranging from 1.3 to 5.0, indicating activation of cell signaling pathways linked to growth and metabolism.

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Global and targeted gene expression and protein content in skeletal muscle of young men following short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation.

    The study gave young men the same creatine dose described in the claim and found that it turned on genes and proteins in muscles that help with growth and energy use.

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

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

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