2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Creatinine is a waste chemical that is formed in the processes of muscle metabolism. Creatinine is derived from creatine, which plays an important role in producing the energy needed for muscles. Creatinine is found only in the skeletal muscles that need it.
Every day 2% of creatine in the body is converted into creatinine. It is transported through the blood to the kidneys, which have the role of filtering it and excreting it in the urine. The creatine from which creatinine is converted is an amino acid.
In its natural state, creatine is found not only in humans but also in all vertebrates and helps deliver energy to nerves and muscles. The role of creatinine is related to the processes of muscle contractions.
Creatinine functions
Creatinine has many important functions, regardless of whether it is a waste product. It is an extremely reliable indicator of the condition of the kidneys.
When kidney function is impaired for one reason or another, creatinine levels rise. It is possible that a person does not have any complaints, but an examination shows that the kidneys are not functioning properly.
Normal blood creatinine levels are about 0.6-1.2 mg in men and 0.5-1.1 mg in women. Young men with more muscle mass have more creatinine in their blood, and the elderly have lower levels.
Sources of creatinine
The main dietary sources of creatinine for the human body are meat products. Vegetables do not contain any creatinine and for this reason vegetarians should take creatinine supplements and so they receive even higher doses than people who consume meat.
It is believed that a completely healthy person can take these supplements for a short time, and the correct dosage is very important. However, it is not yet clear whether long-term intake can cause any harm to the body and the issue is still under investigation.
More and more athletes are resorting to creatinine as a dietary supplement. Only 5 g of creatinine equals about 1 kg of raw beef steak. Creatinine increases the amount of adenosine triphosphate in the muscles, which is also their main fuel.
It is used to accumulate energy and muscle mass, but must be combined with a proper diet.
Last but not least, creatinine protects them from breakdown during intense and heavy training. It should not be forgotten that a person must have at least a year of training behind him and the dosage must be observed.
It is possible in some cases to get dehydration, which is caused by the higher water needs of the muscles compared to the rest of the body.
Additives with creatinine are also the subject of research in terms of their possible benefits in the treatment of muscle and neurological diseases, heart failure, arthritis, Parkinson's and others.
Creatinine test
Creatinine measurement measures kidney function. Usually its levels are constant and are not affected by diet and physical activity of the individual. With kidney damage, its blood level rises because it cannot be excreted in the urine.
The creatinine clearance test is done to assess how well creatinine is excreted by the kidneys. This test provides better information than if only creatinine levels were tested.
To establish the relationship between creatinine and urea, a blood sample is taken. The relationship between the two helps diagnose various problems such as dehydration.
All of these tests are done to assess kidney function, to check if pre-existing kidney disease is progressing, and to monitor kidney function in people taking dangerous drugs.
The creatinine test requires that the person has not performed strenuous exercise or physical activity for 48 hours prior to the test; not to have eaten a large amount of meat. Blood sampling is safe and almost painless.
Creatinine levels
The low values of creatinine in the blood may be an indicator of low muscle mass, which is due to age or muscular dystrophy; poor protein diet; liver damage and pregnancy.
High creatinine levels mean kidney damage. Various kidney diseases can be due to conditions such as cancer, shock, kidney stones, dehydration, heart failure, gout, muscle problems, gigantism, acromegaly.
