Creatinine tests are commonly used by your doctor as a quick and easy way to check your kidney function. Creatine supplements are used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts to assist in muscle growth and increase short-term endurance. Creatine is...
The kidneys are powerful chemical factories, with the major function of removing waste products and excess fluid from the body through the urine, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Some other functions of the kidneys include balancing...
Creatine kinase, also called creatine phosphokinase, is an enzyme that breaks down muscle cells for energy to stimulate growth and muscle contractions. CK is found primarily in your skeletal muscles, heart, brain and lung tissues. Creatine kinase...
A variety of factors influence your urobilinogen score, and high urobilinogen might indicate serious problems. Creatine dietary supplements might be beneficial in some circumstances, but creatine could cause health complications and affect your...
The changes that pregnancy brings to a woman's body can induce certain disorders, including kidney disease. Preeclampsia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension, and severe urinary tract infections can both be signs of kidney disease during pregnancy....
Creatine and caffeine are two performance-boosting supplements often used in sports settings. There is a lot of controversy, however, over the effectiveness of using these two substances together. A study published in the October 2001...
Many people take creatine to push their muscles to pump up, or "get in that last rep" at the gym or during other resistance training. A chemical made in the human body and also sold as a supplement at many retailers, creatine plays a key role in...
Elevated creatine levels in the body are detected through increased creatinine found in the blood or urine through lab testing. Creatine is muscle fuel for the human body. This amino acid is produced by the liver, kidneys and pancreas and obtained...
Creatine is a popular nutritional supplement that is also synthesized in your body by your pancreas from the amino acids arginine, glycine, and methionine. Creatine is primarily used by athletes as a performance enhancing supplement due to its...
Creatine, its metabolite creatinine, and an associated enzyme, creatine kinase, are measured in the blood to evaluate health conditions. Creatine is typically not measured, although creatinine concentration is frequently tested. Creatine is...
Supplements that claim to build new muscle mass are categorized as ergogenic aids. Ergogenic aids are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and many have not been scientifically proven to be safe or effective. According to the Gatorade...
Some athletes take creatine to help increase their athletic performance. However, there is concern that taking supplements of the naturally occurring compound can harm your kidneys. In general, creatine is safe to take but you should avoid it if...
Creatine is a compound made from amino acids that is naturally produced in your body and mostly stored in your muscles. Creatine supplies energy to your muscles at times of physical exertion by increasing the formation of ATP molecules, which your...
Creatine is an organic acid involved in the energy system of cells, mostly in skeletal muscle. According to "The Ultimate Creatine Handbook," individuals with severe cases of creatine deficiency syndrome can present with expressive speech and...
Creatine is used as a source of energy by your muscles. According to MayoClinic.com, 95 percent of creatine in the body is located in your skeletal system. Too much creatine in your body can lead to muscle cramping or gastrointestinal symptoms...
Creatine is a precursor to chemicals that help synthesize adenosine diphosphate or ADP, a main source of muscle energy. Although creatine is an amino acid derivative produced in your liver and kidneys, you can also get it from commercial...
Your body contains several different compounds related to creatine -- a nitrogen-containing organic compound produced in the kidneys and liver during the breakdown of proteins. An enzyme known as creatine phosphokinase stimulates the conversion of...
In 2004, Americans spent $20.3 billion on dietary supplements including $2 billion on sports-related supplements, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health. Creatine gained popularity in the 1990s as a...
Creatine is a natural substance produced from amino acids in your body and used to supply energy to all your cells, especially your muscles. Creatinine is the break-down product of creatine and is excreted in your urine. Measuring creatinine...
Lab test results in children versus adults can be different for several reasons. If your health care provider suggests that your child have her creatine levels measured, he may request either a blood or urine test be performed. Both tests are...
Creatine is an organic acid that supplies energy to the muscles. It is available in supplement form, which is often used by athletes to increase creatine levels in order to boost muscle mass. Like most supplements, creatine should be approached...
New forms of creatine are continuously being marketed in sports performance supplements. These different forms -- including creatine monohydrate and creatine hydrochloride -- supposedly increase the amount of creatine your body absorbs and...
A misunderstanding of what creatine supplements are and how they work may exist for people unfamiliar with them. Creatine is not a type of steroid -- it is a natural substance produced by your body in the kidneys, pancreas and liver. Most creatine...
High blood glucose levels may increase your risk of both long- and short-term health complications. Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood glucose. Elevated levels of creatine in your body may signal the presence of kidney damage due to...
The thousands of proteins in the human body are built by the same 20 amino acids. Some of those amino acids come from the foods you eat, while your body makes the rest of them. Creatine is one such amino acid that you get from food, but could...
Your kidneys are important. They help to remove waste products and excess fluid. Your kidneys also play a role in the production of red blood cells and some hormones, regulate salt, potassium and calcium levels in the body and control blood...
Creatine phosphate is the storage form of creatine, a compound synthesized from amino acids in your pancreas and stored in your skeletal muscles. Creatine can also be obtained through the ingestion of a nutritional supplement in pill, powder, or...
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in leakage into the bloodstream. It occurs when myoglobin, a protein found in muscle tissue, is released into the bloodstream, causing kidney damage. A wave of rhabdomyolysis among high...
Creatine is a naturally occurring nutrient that can help rapidly restore energy during intense activity such as weightlifting or sprinting. Creatine also gathers a large amount of water and can cause imbalances in hydration and electrolytes,...
