Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2002 Sep; 12(3): 336-48.

Effect of creatine supplementation and a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet on muscle creatine concentration.

Lukaszuk JM, Robertson RJ, Arch JE, Moore GE, Yaw KM, Kelley DE, Rubin JT, Moyna NM.

Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Hospitality Administration at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of preceding oral creatine monohydrate with a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet on muscle creatine concentration. Thirty-two healthy men, who regularly consumed an omnivorous diet, were randomly assigned to consume a weight maintaining, lacto-ovo-vegetarian (LOV; n = 16) or omnivorous (Omni; n = 16) diet for 26 days. In addition to their assigned diet, on day 22 of the study, subjects were assigned in a double-blind manner to receive either creatine monohydrate (CM; 0.3 g kg d 1 + 20 g Polycose) or an equivalent dose of placebo (PL) for 5 days. There were no significant differences between the LOV and Omni groups at baseline with respect to age, height, and weight. The results demonstrated that consuming a LOV diet for 21 days was an effective procedure to decrease muscle creatine concentration (p <.01) in individuals who normally consume meat and fish in their diet. However, muscle total creatine (TCr) following creatine supplementation did not differ statistically between LOV and Omni diet groups (148.6 4.5 vs. 141.7 4.5 mmol kg-1 d.m.).