Athletes have been curious about creatine ever since the 1970s when Soviet researchers noted that creatine supplements might boost athletic performance. Touted as a natural performance enhancer, creatine can be found in large containers in health food stores and vitamin shops. However, the jury is still out on any benefit provided by this supplement, especially for kidney patients.
Definitions
Creatine is an amino acid made by the liver, kidneys and pancreas. Most creatine in the body is found in muscle tissue. Creatinine is a nitrogenous waste product produced by muscular activity, which transforms creatine into creatinine. The kidneys of healthy people clear creatinine from the blood. Since damaged kidneys do not clear creatinine from the blood effectively, creatinine is a marker for kidney damage.
Kidney Function
The first symptom of kidney disease is protein in the urine. Proteins are large molecules that can destroy the fragile tissue in the kidneys that filter blood. For this reason, some kidney patients with high urine protein are advised to eat less protein. Since amino acids like creatine are building blocks of protein, nephrologists advise kidney patients not to take these supplements. While there is no evidence that recommended doses of creatine supplements cause kidney problems in healthy people, the effects of high doses on the kidneys remain unknown.
Benefits
Using creatine supplements is a widespread practice accepted by the International Olympic Committee and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Famous athletes such as John Elway, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa openly admit to using it. This acceptance creates an aura of safety that may not be be entirely merited, particularly with high-dose supplements.
Conclusion
The jury is still out on the benefits of creatine. While medical researchers have found no negative short-term effects, the long-term health effects on the kidneys of healthy people are unknown. Some authorities, such as the University of California at Berkeley Wellness letter, see little benefit in taking this supplement. Other authorities, such as H.J. Kim of the Korea National Sport University, claim that it has no negative effects in healthy people. However, Kim recommends that people with kidney disease, or those at risk for kidney disease, avoid high-dose supplementation.
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