In chicken muscle cells with normal energy, adding creatine seems to boost protein building and turn on key muscle growth switches in the cells.

When chicken muscle cells are starved, adding creatine seems to lower levels of two proteins that make muscles waste away — this might mean creatine helps protect muscles when there's not enough energy.

When chicken muscle cells are starved, adding creatine seems to boost a key protein for energy and reduce harmful molecules, which might help the cells' powerhouses work better under stress.

Creatine helps protect tiny muscle cells from shrinking when they're starved, but only when there's no sugar around — it seems to work only when energy is low.

Taking creatine supplements can help you build more muscle and get stronger because it helps your muscles recharge their energy faster during intense workouts like lifting weights or sprinting.

Taking creatine supplements might help your muscles and brain store more energy, which could keep your cells from running out of power, help build muscle, stop muscle from breaking down, and keep your cell walls stable.