Effect of a defined lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet and oral creatine monohydrate supplementation on plasma creatine concentration

This study examined the effects that preceding creatine supplementation with a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet would have on plasma creatine concentration. Twenty-six healthy moderately fit omnivorous men were assigned to either a 26-day lacto-ovo-vegetarian (LOV; n = 12) or omnivorous (Omni; n = 14) diet. On day 22, subjects were also assigned in a double-blind manner either creatine monohydrate (CM; 0.3 g.kg(-1).day(-1) + 20 g Polycose) or an equivalent dose of placebo (PL) for 5 days. Blood samples were taken on days 1, 22 and 27. Consuming a LOV diet for 21 days was effective in reducing plasma creatine concentration (p < 0.01) in the LOV group. Regardless of diet, the CM group showed an increase in plasma creatine concentrations from day 22 to 27, whereas the PL group's levels remained the same (p < 0.05). Although the LOV diet caused a deprivation effect in plasma creatine concentration relative to the Omni diet, concurrent supplementation with creatine resulted in no difference in plasma creatine concentrations between the LOV and Omni diet groups. Dietary advice should be provided to LOV athletes that supplementation with creatine may help to increase their muscle stores of creatine, and thus their ATP resynthesis capabilities, to levels similar to those of omnivores.