Creatine is a compound made in your liver from amino acids and functions as an alternative energy source for your muscles during activity. Most people take creatine in supplement form, since it provides a high enough dosage to produce results. Although creatine helps boost muscle growth and strength, concerns about creatine supplements' effect on creatinine levels, an indicator of kidney health, have been raised. Consult your health care provider before taking creatine supplements.
Creatinine
When creatine is metabolized, it produces a waste product known as creatinine. Creatinine is transported from the bloodstream to your kidneys, which filters it out and excretes it through urine. The kidneys' job is to maintain a normal range of blood creatinine, normally between 0.6 to 1.2 milligrams per deciliter, according to the Mayo Clinic. Higher levels of creatinine might indicate kidney dysfunction, since the kidneys cannot work to remove excess creatinine.
No Effect
One of the worries regarding creatine supplementation is that increasing creatine levels may lead to higher creatinine levels, a sign that the kidneys aren’t working properly. Scientists at the University of Florida investigated the impact of creatine supplementation on creatinine levels in men and women. Subjects took 20 grams of creatine during a loading phase and then 5 grams for maintenance for two weeks. At the end of the study, which was published in the 2000 issue of “Clinical Chemistry,” researchers observed that subjects' creatinine levels were in a normal range.
Additional Research
As reported in the February 2001 issue of the “Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research,” researchers at St. Francis Xavier University in Canada discovered that athletes taking creatine supplementation for one week experienced no changes in creatinine levels compared with those who took a placebo.
Caution
Although creatine supplementation doesn’t seem to increase creatinine levels in the short term, long-term studies need to be conducted. If you plan on using creatine, consult your health care provider, particularly if you’re taking medications.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Creatinine Test; July 2010
- "Chemical Chemistry"; Effect of Oral Creatine Supplementation on Random Urine Creatinine, pH, and Specific Gravity Measurements; J.D. Ropero-Miller et al.; 2000
- "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research"; The Effect of 7 Days of Creatine Supplementation on 24-Hour Urinary Creatine Excretion; D.G. Burke et al.; February 2001
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