The first pilot study to evaluate the effects of supplemental creatine monohydrate in people with dementia produced positive results that open the door for further investigation.¹

  In a single-arm pilot trial, 20 patients with Alzheimer’s disease took 20 grams per day of creatine monohydrate (donated by Life Extension) for eight weeks, split into two 10-gram doses. A research dietitian provided oral and written education to participants and study partners on taking it and called the study partner weekly to encourage compliance with the intervention. At the end of the study, total creatine in the brain increased by 11%.

The participants also experienced improvements in working memory and executive function, as demonstrated by scores on the National Institutes of Health Toolbox and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) assessments.

Editor’s note: The standard dose of creatine is 3-5 grams per day. While this amount is adequate for reaching muscles, higher or more prolonged dosing strategies may be required to significantly increase brain creatine content.² This study demonstrated that 20 grams of creatine not only reached the brain, but that it was safe and well tolerated.

Melatonin Improves Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

A clinical study found that people with multiple sclerosis who received melatonin experienced significant improvements in muscle strength, hand control (manual dexterity), postural balance, cognition, and mood compared with those given a placebo.*

The trial included 27 participants: 15 received 3 mg of melatonin nightly and 12 received a placebo, both for 12 weeks.

Compared to placebo, the melatonin group showed greater knee muscle strength, enhanced manual dexterity, better static postural balance, and improved cognitive function. They also reported reduced anxiety and depression.

Editor’s Note: Melatonin is neuroprotective in people with multiple sclerosis due to its ability to lower oxidative damage and support a healthy inflammatory response and nervous system health, the authors explained.

* J Diet Suppl. 2025;22(2):236-261.

How Statins May Help Prevent Cancer

The human body has a gene called p53 that fights against cancer by regulating cell growth. When p53 becomes damaged, instead of preventing cancer, it can accelerate it. About half of human cancer contains damaged p53.

Previous research on mice revealed that statins, which are cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lipitor (atorvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin) can help reduce levels of these damaged p53 proteins. A study published in Nature Cell Biology reveals how.¹ 

When p53 genes become mutated, enzymes target their proteins for destruction. But when a protein called DNAJA1 binds to these damaged p53 proteins, it prevents them from getting flagged for elimination. This latest research shows that statins stop DNAJA1 from binding to damaged p53 proteins, allowing them to be targeted for destruction. Since this process only occurs in misfolded p53 proteins, the healthy p53 proteins are not affected.

Editor’s note: Researcher Tomoo Iwakuma, M.D., Ph.D, stated, “Mutant p53 makes human cancer cells more metastatic and resistant to chemotherapy. That’s a primary reason to get rid of it—to improve survival in cancer patients.”2

Curcumin Improves GI Symptoms Among Obese Women

Severely obese women experienced a reduction in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and body mass index (BMI) after consuming curcumin daily for 13 weeks compared with those who received a placebo.*

The study followed 24 women with severe obesity. Half of the participants took six curcumin capsules each day (250 mg each, three with lunch and three with dinner) for 13 weeks, while the other half received a placebo.

By the end of the trial, women in the curcumin group reported fewer digestive issues, including less constipation and belching. They also showed measurable reductions in neck size and a significant drop in BMI, an average decrease of 4.0 kg/m. None of these changes were seen in the placebo group.

Editor’s Note: People with severe obesity often experience gastrointestinal (GI) effects such as bloating, indigestion, stomach pain, acid reflux and altered bowel patterns.

* Nutrients. 2025 Jun 20;17(13):2064.