Manufacturers of creatine supplements promote this substance as a type of muscular performance enhancer. Although creatine may help improve lean muscle mass and muscle strength in some people, controversy exists over using it to improve athletic performance. This supplement may cause side effects, including an increased risk of kidney stones. Consult your doctor before taking creatine supplements or other performance enhancers.
Creatine
Your liver, kidneys and pancreas form the amino acid creatine in your body. Certain foods, such as meat and fish, also represent natural sources of creatine. Your body stores creatine in your muscles for fuel during short-duration, high-intensity exercise. Creatine is one of the most popular supplements among competitive athletes. Americans purchase approximately $14 million worth of the supplements each year, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Kidney Stones
Healthy kidneys eliminate excess creatine from your body in the form of creatinine, a byproduct of creatine metabolism. Mark A. Jenkins, M.D., of Rice University warns that using creatine supplements in common dosages can result in urinary concentrations of creatine that measure 90 times greater than normal, possibly causing toxic effects on your kidneys' renal tubes, leading to acceleration in the rate of kidney stone formation.
Creatinine Clearance
High levels of creatinine in your bloodstream may signal the presence of kidney disease or kidney damage. This increase in creatinine may occur when kidney stones block your urinary track. Your doctor may order a creatinine clearance test to determine the health of your kidney function.
Precautions
Creatine supplementation may damage your kidneys, as well as cause high blood pressure, muscle cramps, dizziness, liver dysfunction and diarrhea. Prolonged use of creatine supplements may affect your body's ability to manufacture creatine naturally. Creatine supplements may interact with certain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and diuretics. Taking creatine with diuretics, cimetidine or probenicid can increase the risk of kidney damage. Consuming caffeine with creatine supplements may lead to dehydration, while taking ephedra with both these substances can increase the possibility of stroke. Inform your doctor of all the vitamins, minerals, herbal products and nutritional supplements you consume, especially if you take medication or have a chronic illness.
