Creatinine is a waste by-product that’s found in the blood. It is chemically produced by the normal muscle contractions. It is filtered by kidneys under normal circumstances, and is extracted from the body through the help of urination. However, this creatinine can create havoc, if its level becomes high.
What is the Normal Blood Creatinine Levels?
The normal level of creatinine for men is within the range of 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL, and for women, it is in the range of 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL.
What Causes Creatinine Levels to be High?
There are many reasons for high levels of Creatinine in the body. Some of them are detailed below:
Filtration Process Failure Can Cause High Creatinine Levels
When the filtration by glomerulus in kidney fails, there is an increase in the level of creatinine. Some of the reasons for failure of glomerulus are diabetes, inflammatory and auto-immune diseases of kidney like lupus, which can actually end up damaging delicate structures that are involved in the filtration process. The filtration can also be impaired when something obstructs the flow of urine from the kidney. The blockages in the urinary tract can be caused due to kidney stones, post-injury scarring, prostate cancer, or other congenital obstructions.
High Blood Pressure
When a person suffers from high blood pressure, chances of the creatinine levels increasing, and his kidneys failing, rises up.
Rhabdomyolysis:
This relates to abnormal breakdown of muscles, which can again lead to higher creatinine levels.
Higher Creatinine Levels Causing Low Intake of Water/Dehydration:
If a person consumes less amount of water, or is constantly dehydrated, the creatinine level will be higher.
Strenuous Exercises:
If you do heavy weight training exercises, or other kinds of strenuous exercises, your creatinine levels might increase.
Certain Medications Can Raise Creatinine Levels:
Some of the drugs such as Cimetidine etc. can lead to high creatinine levels in the body.
Consuming Energy Supplements Can Cause High Creatinine Levels in the Body:
People who wish to enhance their muscles end up taking supplements that contain creatine. Creatine is a molecule which acts as the warehouse of energy for the muscles, and gets broken down into creatinine. This might result in increasing the creatinine production, and increase it in the urine.
Eating Huge Quantity of Meat Increases Creatinine Levels:
If you eat heavy quantity of meat regularly, it can lead to high creatinine level. People, who eat lots of beef and other animal meat, will have an increased creatinine level in the body.
Accidents leading to heavy blood loss & Diabetes can also cause your creatinine levels to be high.
For people, who are muscular, they might have more creatinine in their system. On the contrary, the elderly and malnourished people will have less creatinine in the blood.
How to Lower Creatinine Levels?
Creatinine is actually a protein building block, which gets stored in the muscles, and is used in the form of energy. When the kidneys are in good shape, the creatinine gets removed safely from the body. But, when people suffer from kidney diseases, the creatinine gets built up, and the level increases.
Natural Ways to Lower Creatinine Levels
Avoid Strenuous Exercises to Lower Creatinine Levels:
If you are suffering from higher creatinine level, go slow on your exercising regimen to lower creatinine levels naturally. When you exercise less, the amount of creatine breaking down into creatinine will also go down.
Avoid Supplements Containing Creatine for Lowering Creatinine Levels:
Athletes, who take supplements for increasing their muscle mass, will have a higher level of creatinine in their body. So, such supplements will have to be avoided. The supplements should only be taken by higher level athletes and that too for a maximum period of 3 to 6 months.
Limit the Consumption of Vanadium to Lower Creatinine Naturally:
Vanadium is a type of mineral that is found in the multi-vitamin supplements. This is usually taken by people suffering from blood sugar and diabetes. However, when this mineral is taken in excess, it can lead to high creatinine level.
Consume Chitosan
Chitosan is one of the useful nutrients, and is used for weight management. It can also be useful in bringing down the creatinine levels naturally in people suffering from kidney related problems.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid lowers down the creatinine naturally, and is also helpful in improving the functioning of kidneys, and for providing energy. By neutralizing the toxins, it prevents the kidneys from getting damaged.
Healthy Diet for Lowering Creatinine Levels:
Foods that are high in creatine should be avoided. Such foods include meat and other animal proteins. Foods that are high on sodium, such as processed foods and potassium-rich food such as spinach, bananas, celery, broccoli, etc. should be avoided. A balanced diet including green vegetables, fruits, cereals etc. fulfilling the daily recommended dose of essential vitamins, minerals and micronutrients is advised to lower creatinine naturally.
Some Useful Herbs
There are some useful herbs which can also help in reducing creatinine levels naturally. These include Stinging nettle, Salvia, Chamomile tea, Cinnamon, roots of dandelion, ginseng, etc.
Lifestyle Changes
Another important factor that we often neglect is our lifestyle. One can make certain changes to their lifestyle which can help in lowering the creatinine. Drink lots of fluids, reduce the amount of exercises, and stress level. Also, get a good amount of sleep, which will slow down the conversion of creatinine. An average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night is essential.
Whatever be the reason for your elevated creatinine level, do not start any treatment without consulting your doctor. Remember that an increased creatinine level can cause serious repercussions. So, take control of your body, and consult a doctor before it is too late.
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