Creatinine is a metabolite produced by muscle cells when they break down protein. Creatinine levels rise after strenuous exercise, especially if you have not been drinking enough water. If you find yourself having high creatinine levels, it could mean that you need to drink more water.
Creatinine is a urine biochemical test used to check kidney function. Creatinine levels can increase due to dehydration, muscle breakdown, or poor kidney functioning. Creatinine is produced by the body as a result of muscle metabolism. If your kidneys have reduced functionality, the amount of creatinine present in your blood increases. These increased levels of creatinine may indicate kidney disease or damage.
One way to decrease creatinine levels is by drinking plenty of water. Water helps flush out toxins and waste from your system.
You should drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Make sure you drink enough throughout the day to avoid getting dehydrated. Another thing you can do to help lower creatinine levels is to eat foods rich in protein. Protein helps build muscles and keeps them strong. When your muscles are strong, they don't break down as much and produce less creatinine. Eating a diet rich in protein also helps keep your bones strong, keeping them from breaking down as easily. Other ways to reduce creatinine levels include avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
Caffeine stimulates your nervous system and causes your heart rate to rise. Alcohol speeds up your metabolism, which results in muscle breakdown. Both caffeine and alcohol cause your kidneys to work harder than normal and use up extra energy.
If you feel like you're having trouble lowering creatinine levels, talk to your doctor about medication options. Your doctor may recommend taking prescription drugs called diuretics. Diuretics help make your kidneys filter out fluid more efficiently. A few examples of medications that can help reduce creatinine levels are hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and spironolactone. Your doctor may also prescribe certain vitamins or supplements to help lower creatinie levels. Vitamins B6, D, E, K, and folic acid play a role in maintaining good kidney function..
$ads={1}
simple ways to naturally lower your creatinine levels
1. Eat foods rich in protein
Protein-rich food includes meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds, milk, and dairy products. These foods provide high amounts of protein that help keep blood pressure down and stabilize blood sugar level. Protein provides the body with building blocks for muscles and bones, hormones, enzymes, and antibodies.
2. Drink water
Drinking enough water helps our kidneys flush out creatinine. Water flushes toxins from the body and prevents dehydration. Dehydration causes the body to hold onto more sodium and water retention occurs. When excess sodium is retained, it triggers the release of creatinine.
3. Avoid caffeine
Caffeine consumption increases creatinine production. Caffeine contains phosphoric acid, which raises the amount of creatinine in the body. Other factors that increase creatinine levels include smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol, and exercising excessively.
4. Reduce salt intake
High sodium levels cause water retention. This creates an environment where creatinine levels remain high. Low sodium diets help reduce the amount of creatinie in the body. Sodium is found in many processed foods including breads, cereals, condiments, soups, and sauces. Try to limit your daily sodium intake to less than 2 grams per day.
5. Increase fiber intake
Fiber slows digestion and reduces the rate at which food moves through the digestive tract. Fiber increases the time it takes for food to move through the body, therefore reducing the amount of time it takes for creatinine to leave the system. A diet low in fiber may result in higher creatinine levels. Foods high in fiber include whole grains, legumes, fruit, vegetables, and oatmeal.
6. Exercising regularly
Exercise lowers creatinine levels by increasing blood flow throughout the body. It also stimulates the liver to produce bile, which helps break down fats and cholesterol. Exercise causes the heart to beat faster, which forces blood through the entire body. Blood carries oxygen and blood cleansers to various parts of the body, thereby enabling the kidneys to remove more creatinine.