Carbohydrate ingestion augments skeletal muscle creatine accumulation during creatine supplementation in humans.

Abstract in brief

• Consuming carbohydrates along with creatine significantly increases muscle creatine levels compared to taking creatine alone, with muscle total creatine being 60% higher in the carbohydrate group.
• The intake of carbohydrates and creatine together boosts insulin levels dramatically, which likely helps enhance creatine uptake into muscles.
• Creatine supplementation did not change blood insulin levels on its own, but adding carbohydrates to creatine significantly stimulates insulin, suggesting insulin plays a key role in increasing muscle creatine storage during supplementation.]