Creatine touted as essential for pregnancy and top sports supplement ingredient

Researchers highlighted creatine as a potentially essential nutrient for pregnancy, noting its role as a bioenergetic substrate for the uterus, placenta, fetus and neonatal brain. Doug Kalman, a clinical associate professor at Nova Southeastern University, suggested a daily dose of 5‑10 g for pregnant women and predicted its future inclusion in prenatal multivitamins, while urging more randomized controlled trials. Academic voices such as Abbie Smith‑Ryan emphasized the need for robust research before broad recommendations.

In the broader dietary‑supplement market, creatine continues to dominate 2026 sports‑performance products, expanding beyond powders into candy‑style formats, functional foods and beverages. Industry leaders at a NutraIngredients+ forum stressed the shift toward clinically validated, personalized products and highlighted the importance of proof, trust and responsible execution. Companies such as Iovate Health Sciences International, Ortho Molecular Products, Thorne, and retailer Watsons in Singapore reported growing consumer demand for targeted solutions, including those for women’s health, gut health and healthy aging, amidst a projected near‑$9 billion global anti‑aging supplement market by 2033.