Is It Time for a Requiem for Creatine Supplementation-Induced Kidney Failure? A Narrative Review.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search or formal meta-analysis
PubMed 36986197 · doi:10.3390/nu15061466
What was done
This was a narrative review synthesizing literature on the effects of creatine supplementation on renal function, contrasting findings from case reports and animal studies against controlled human clinical trials.
What was found
The abstract provides no numerical data, sample sizes, or effect estimates. It reports qualitatively that controlled clinical trials using reliable assessment methods do not support claims of renal impairment, though supplementation may elevate serum creatinine concentrations due to spontaneous conversion.
Why it matters
This review highlights that elevated serum creatinine in individuals taking creatine supplements often reflects increased metabolite turnover rather than genuine renal dysfunction.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic search protocol, explicit inclusion criteria, and formal risk-of-bias assessment. No quantitative results are provided in the abstract, and safety in people with pre-existing kidney disease was not established.
Cited by
- supports Creatine supplementation can elevate serum creatinine levels without indicating kidney impairment.