Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Renal Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

[madman]

Creatine supplements are intended to improve performance, but there are indications that it can overwhelm liver and kidney functions, reduce the quality of life, and increase mortality. Therefore, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis study that aimed to investigate creatine supplements and their possible renal function side effects. After evaluating 290 non-duplicated studies, 15 were included in the qualitative analysis and 6 in the quantitative analysis. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that creatine supplementation did not significantly alter serum creatinine levels (standardized mean difference 5 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.73, P 5 .001, I 2 5 22%), and did not alter plasma urea values (standardized mean difference 5 1.10, 95% confidence interval 0.34-1.85, P 5 .004, I 2 5 28%). The findings indicate that creatine supplementation does not induce renal damage in the studied amounts and durations.




The objective of this systematic review and metaanalysis is to analyze the studies that verified the effects of creatine supplementation on renal function. We conclude that most of the studies did not demonstrate renal damage with creatine supplementation; therefore, we are of the opinion that creatine supplements are safe for young adults and patients with chronic renal diseases. We suggest that further studies are needed that analyze the effects of creatine supplements in elderly patients with chronic renal failure and/or individuals with other pathologies. In addition, we emphasize the importance of more studies about quality control standards for dietary supplements.











Practical Application

The findings indicate that creatine supplementation does not induce renal damage. Thus, the creatine supplementation is relevant to clinicians in renal nutrition and/or working with population interested as athletes of strength and bodybuilding.

 

[Will Brink]

Good find! Had another doc claim he didn't recommend creatine due to "renal stress" just the other day. Astounding such mythology will not F-ing die!

 

[Vince Carter]

Interesting to see as much as 20g/D in those determinations.

I started using the Cystatin-C test and get a much better result of kidney function than just the Creatinine test.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Is the Cystatin C Test Better than Creatinine for Muscular Men?

Cystatin C Blood Test

 

[Will Brink]

Is the Cystatin C Test Better than Creatinine for Muscular Men?

Cystatin C Blood Test

Would you see normal creatinine levels yet elevated Cystatin C Levels? That is, if creatinine is normal, would there be any reason to also do Cystatin C Levels? I'm assuming the answer is no.

 

[Vince Carter]

I only opted in to Cystatin-C because of elevated creatinine and (very) low eGFR in those tests which too do not account for age and gender. The two times I ran Cystatin-C I was well within normal ranges. I would think a guy showing normal Creatinine and eGFR shouldn't need to opt for the Cystatin-C.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I agree with Vince Carter. I would only get a Cystatin C if my eGFR is getting close to 60

 

[Will Brink]

I only opted in to Cystatin-C because of elevated creatinine and (very) low eGFR in those tests which too do not account for age and gender. The two times I ran Cystatin-C I was well within normal ranges. I would think a guy showing normal Creatinine and eGFR shouldn't need to opt for the Cystatin-C.

That's what I figured without digging into it.