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Many families ask about whether a supplement can help their son with DMD.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements can play an important role in optimising intake of these nutrients to support bone health. Your doctor and dietitian can advise on Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation (see our section "Healthy Bones for Neuromuscular Conditions" for more).
There have been several other supplements investigated in boys with DMD as well as in the DMD mouse models. There is some evidence to support the use of creatine monohydrate to improve strength for boys with DMD. You can find some more details about creatine monohydrate and DMD below.
Other supplements that have been investigated in boys with DMD include: glutamine, carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, leucine, omega-3 fatty acids and resveratrol as well as a combination supplements. There is also an ongoing study using green tea extract.
Apart from calcium and vitamin D supplementation, there are no recommendations for boys with DMD to take any one supplement. It is also important to understand that supplements do not fix the underlying cause of DMD. Instead, supplements may help support muscle strength and function.
If you are interested in using a supplement for your son, here are some points to consider:
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound involved in making energy in cells in the body, particularly in the brain and muscle. It is made in the liver and kidneys, as well as being in food. In healthy people, taking creatine monohydrate supplements increases muscle strength. In boys with DMD, creatine monohydrate supplements improve muscle strength and may have other effects on improving muscles, including better energy use within muscle cells and decreased muscle breakdown.
Studies show that children with DMD taking creatine maintain strength for longer and perform better in activities like walking and climbing stairs. It has also been shown that parents and patients notice an overall improvement in the child’s strength. These benefits are present while they are taking the supplement, but the long-term benefits of this treatment are not yet known.
No side-effects have been identified in boys with DMD who were given dietary supplementation with creatine monohydrate. Healthy people who take creatine monohydrate, and those who take creatine monohydrate for other reasons, have not reported any side-effects.
The best time to start a creatine monohydrate supplement in boys with DMD is not known, but in the absence of any known side-effects, it’s reasonable for you and your doctor to consider it from the time of diagnosis.
Creatine comes in several different forms. All the research has been conducted using the creatine monohydrate. Creatine monohydrate is a powder, which can be mixed into drinks. It is provided daily. Your medical team can advise on an appropriate dose.
Contact your clinic or hospital's Neuromuscular Clinic Dietician who is available to monitor your child’s growth and assist with preventing and managing nutrition related issues.
Below are extra resources that may help you understand more about nutrition in children with DMD. You can access these files by clicking the "Download" buttons.
References