Journal of Functional Foods (Oct 2020)

Guanidinoacetic acid as a novel food for skeletal muscle health

  • Sergej M. Ostojic,
  • Viktoria Premusz,
  • Dora Nagy,
  • Pongrac Acs

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 73
p. 104129

Abstract

Read online

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a direct endogenic precursor of creatine. GAA is also a re-discovered nutraceutical that has been put forward as an energy-facilitating compound by many animal and a few human studies. Recent trials indicated that dietary GAA might have yet another role in muscle growth promotion, acting as an anticatabolic and/or anabolic compound. This opinion paper summarizes the latest findings for advancing (or impeding) dietary GAA in skeletal muscle medicine, discussing open questions that need to be answered before the translation of supplemental GAA use from bench to bedside.

Keywords