Kidney stones affect up to 5 percent of the population in the United States, says the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. While the causes of kidney stones are not always apparent, creatine supplements may contribute to formation of stones in some people. Before taking creatine supplements, consult your health care provider to see if it is safe and appropriate for you.
About Creatine
The human body naturally makes creatine in the liver, kidneys and pancreas, but it can also be obtained through dietary sources like fish and meat. Creatine is an amino acid and is stored in the muscles as creatine phosphate, to be used for energy as ATP during high-intensity, short-term exercise. It may also lower triglyceride levels, but more research needs to be done to confirm this finding. Side effects of this supplement can include kidney damage, high blood pressure, weight gain and liver dysfunction. Before using creatine, talk with your doctor about whether it is safe for you to use.
About Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small crystals that form because your urine has an excess of certain substances. You may not know you have kidney stones until they pass through the ureters and block the flow of urine, causing severe pain. Other symptoms can include groin pain, discolored urine or blood in the urine, nausea, fever and chills. Dehydration is the main risk factor for developing kidney stones, and staying hydrated can help reduce your risk. Treatment for kidney stones include medications for pain and to help break down the stone, or surgery for more serious cases.
Research
If you have had kidney stones in the past, you are more likely to have them in the future, which is something to remember if you are considering creatine supplementation. According to a 2000 article by Edmunds, et al., published in the "American Journal of Kidney Diseases," rats with kidney disease given creatine had more disease progression than the diseased rats who did not get creatine. Because of the possible deleterious effects of creatine on the kidneys, talk with your doctor about whether taking creatine may cause kidney stones, especially if you have a history of kidney problems.
Considerations
Creatine supplements need to be further explored to evaluate their effects on health. It is not yet established whether taking these supplements impairs your natural ability to produce this amino acid. If you decide to take creatine supplements, talk with your doctor about an appropriate dosage for you and about any other supplements or medications you are taking, to avoid any adverse interactions.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Creatine; Dr. Steven Ehrlich; June 2009
- PubMed Health; Kidney Stones; Dr. Louis Liou; January 2009
- "American Journal of Kidney Diseases"; Creatine Supplementation Increases Renal Disease Progression in Han:SPRD-cy Rats; J.W. Edmunds, et al.; 2000
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Kidney Stones in Adults; Dr. Frederic Coe; October 2007
