Creatine is a chemical produced by your body to supple your muscles and other cells with quick energy. Forms of creatine are added to sports performance supplements to increase strength and muscle growth. You should not use creatine if you have kidney disease or impaired kidney function, although creatine will not damage your kidneys if you are otherwise healthy.
Creatine
Your body produces creatine from amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. During intense activity, creatine provides your muscles with energy, although creatine stores are rapidly exhausted. Increasing the amount of creatine in muscles will increase your performance in short-duration activities such as sprinting or weightlifting. However, research studies have not conclusively demonstrated that creatine supplements can increase creatine levels in the muscles of healthy people, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Kidney Function
Your kidneys are organs that filter waste and excess minerals from your blood, eliminating them in urine. If your kidneys are not filtering waste efficiently, potentially toxic byproducts can build up in your body, causing disease. Creatine absorbs a large amount of water; creatine supplements increase urination and can elevate your risk of dehydration. When your kidneys are unhealthy or already stressed, the metabolic byproducts produced by supplementing with excess creatine can place further stress on the kidneys.
Creatine vs. Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product produced when your body breaks down creatine. Your doctor may measure creatinine levels in your blood or urine as a measure of your kidney filtration rate, as your body normally produces creatine, and thus creatinine, at a constant rate. Tell your doctor if you are taking a creatine supplement, as it will alter the results of a creatinine test. Creatinine is not toxic to your body, but if creatinine is high, other wastes may also be building up in your body.
Safety
Generally, creatine is regarded as safe when taken in recommended dosages by healthy persons. If you are currently under a doctor’s care, consult him before beginning creatine supplementation. Take creatine supplements in the morning or before working out. Increase your water intake when taking creatine supplements to avoid dehydration. Long-term effects of creatine supplementation are not known.
