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.
Your bloodstream transports creatinine to your kidneys, where your body filters it out through your urine. However, if your kidneys aren’t working properly, the level of creatinine in your blood can build up.
Your healthcare provider may check your blood and urine for creatinine, as well as order other tests to evaluate the health of your kidneys. A normal level depends on your age, race, gender, and body size.
Abnormal creatinine levels may be a sign of kidney disease.
If your blood creatinine is high, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan to address any medical issues that might be harming your kidney function.
Along with your medicines and other treatments, ask your healthcare provider whether the following lifestyle changes are appropriate for you.
Here are 7 ways to naturally lower your creatinine levels.
1. Don’t take supplements containing creatine
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 energy, 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 studiedTrusted Source, there is a lack of long term studies on people with kidney disease.
Talk with your doctor before adding any supplement to your diet.
2. Reduce your protein intake
Research shows that eating large amounts of protein can increase creatinine levelsTrusted Source, at least temporarily. In particular, cooked red meat can affect creatinine. The heat from cooking causes the creatine found in meat to produce creatinine.
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, switch to more vegetable-based dishes. Try swapping out beef burgers for:
- vegetable patties
- hearty vegetable stew
- lentil soup
3. Eat more fiber
More research is needed to determine dietary fiber’s effects on creatinine levels. Nevertheless, one 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