You may be able to lower your creatinine levels and support kidney health by avoiding certain supplements, medications, and other substances, such as cigarettes.
Creatinine is a waste product that’s generated when you use your muscles. Eating lots of protein may also produce small amounts of this organic compound.
If your blood creatinine is high, it’s important to work with your healthcare professional to develop a treatment plan to address any medical issues that might be harming your kidney function.
Along with your medications and other treatments, ask your healthcare professional whether the following lifestyle changes are appropriate for you.
Your bloodstream transports creatinine to your kidneys, where your body filters it through your urine. However, if your kidneys aren’t working properly, the creatinine level in your blood can build up.
Doctors may check your urine and blood for creatinine, and may order other tests to evaluate your kidney health. Normal levels depend on age, race, gender, and body size.
Abnormal creatinine levels may indicate kidney disease.
You may need a creatinine test if you have these symptoms:
- changes in urination (frequency, pain, foaminess, or blood)
- muscle cramps
- fatigue
- nausea or vomiting
- puffiness around the eyes
- swelling in the feet or ankles
Your doctor may likewise recommend regular creatinine testing if you have any of the following conditions, which may contribute to decreased kidney function:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- thyroid disease
- autoimmune diseases
- bacterial infection of the kidneys
- a blocked urinary tract
- a family history of kidney disease
Creatinine levels can also rise temporarily from strenuous exercise or using certain medications like sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, or chemotherapy drugs.
Becoming pregnant or eating a diet high in red meat may also contribute.
Your body needs to circulate your blood properly to function optimally. The best way to lower your creatinine levels is to treat the underlying cause.
Here are eight ways to naturally lower your creatinine levels.
Creatine is a natural compound made in your liver. It’s transported to your muscles, where it’s used for energy. When creatine is used as an energy source, it’s degraded into creatinine, a metabolic byproduct.
In addition to its natural form, creatine is available as an oral supplement. Some athletes use these creatinine-producing supplements to help enhance athletic performance.
Anyone wishing to reduce their creatinine levels to improve their kidney function should not take creatine supplements. While creatine supplementation has been widely studied, there is a lack of long-term studies on people with kidney disease.
Talk with your doctor before adding any supplement to your diet.
Research shows that eating large amounts of protein can
People following diets very high in red meat or other protein sources, including dairy products, may have higher creatinine levels than people who eat fewer of those foods.
If you eat lots of red meat, try opting for more vegetable-based dishes. Try swapping out beef burgers for:
- vegetable patties
- hearty vegetable stew
- lentil soup
More research is needed to determine the effects of dietary fiber on creatinine levels. Nevertheless, one older study showed significant reductions in creatinine levels in people with chronic kidney disease who increased their fiber intake.
Fiber can be found in many foods, including:
- fruits
- vegetables
- whole grains
- legumes
Dehydration can raise creatinine levels. Fluid intake can also be an issue for some people who have kidney disease.
Talk with your doctor about how much water and other fluids you should drink daily, as well as the best time to drink them.
Excess salt in the diet can contribute to high blood pressure. Processed foods, in particular, are often loaded with sodium and phosphorus, which studies have shown potentially cause renal issues.
Consider focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and using spices and herbs to flavor your food when possible.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be harmful if taken too often or in amounts over the recommended dosage, especially if you have kidney disease.
Talk with your doctor about a pain management plan that’s right for you.
Smoking cigarettes can harm the body in several ways, including
Quitting can be a way to reduce the likelihood of issues with your kidneys that may increase creatinine levels.
Alcohol consumption can be a tricky issue when it comes to kidney function.
Other studies have shown that excessive alcohol has the potential to damage the kidneys. It can also
If you drink alcohol, consult a healthcare professional about the safest levels for your health needs.
Some ways to help you lower your creatinine levels naturally include reducing your protein and sodium intake, managing your daily fluid intake, increasing your fiber intake, reducing your alcohol intake, quitting smoking if you smoke, and avoiding creatine supplements.
Eating a lot of meat can briefly increase creatinine levels. Long-term reduction strategies can help keep your levels down more permanently.
Other than reducing your protein intake, research has found that eating a vegetarian diet may help lower creatinine.
Drinking a lot of water before going to sleep can reduce creatinine, but only temporarily.
Excess creatinine levels can indicate serious medical conditions, but also be a temporary byproduct of certain lifestyle factors or conditions.
If your doctor finds that your creatinine levels are high, changes to your activity levels and eating, drinking, and supplementation habits may help reduce them.