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Creatine supplementation may not be a right choice for you if you are a kidney disease sufferer, as creatine supplementation increases creatinine.
About creatine
Creatine is a popular supplement used by athletes in an effort to increase muscle performance. While we are doing physical activities, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) offers us energy. However, the reserve capacity of ATP is very limited and synthetize of it needs a long time. Under such a condition, we will feel tired. Creatine is naturally produced in the human body from amino acids primarily in the kidney and liver. It is transported in the blood for use by muscles. Therefore, timely supplement of creatine will protect us from fatigue.
About creatinine
Creatinine is a break-down product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body (depending on muscle mass). Reference value of creatinine in blood for man is 1.6-1.2mg/dl and for woman 1.5-1.1mg/dl.
Creatinine level increases when there is kidney problem and increased creatinine level always indicates decreased kidney function. Generally, when creatinine level increases to 5.6, patients are suggested to have dialysis or prepare for kidney transplant. Therefore, lowering creatinine level is of primary significance for kidney disease patients.
How does creatine supplementation increase creatinine?
When creatine is metabolized, it produces a waste product and that is creatinine. Thereby, the more creatine supplementation that patients take, the more creatinine will be produced. Just as we have mentioned above, when creatinine level increases to a certain level, dialysis or kidney transplant will be needed. Therefore, for kidney disease patients who are taking creatine supplementation, stopping or reducing the dose of creatine supplementation is very necessary. And for those kidney disease patients without creatine supplementation, it is better for them to keep being far away from creatine supplementation.
