How to Decrease Creatinine Levels in the Blood
Creatinine is actually a byproduct of creatine, which is a catalyst produced by the body to release stores of energy within muscle cells. The Mayo Clinic says that creatinine is not absorbed by the body, but is filtered out of your bloodstream through the kidneys to be eliminated within urine. Elevated creatinine levels may indicate muscle trauma because material that is normally within healthy cells is being released due to damage, or that your kidneys are not functioning properly to filter wastes. Take the proper steps to lead a healthy lifestyle and consequently, manage creatinine levels.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Physical Examination
-
1
Schedule a consultation with a licensed medical professional to draw blood and perform laboratory analysis on your blood composition.
-
2
Inform your doctor beforehand of any cases of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, or kidney disease within your family history.
-
-
3
Avoid strenuous exercise prior to the blood test, so that your creatinine readings are not distorted.
-
4
The doctor will help you interpret the results, and may perform additional tests to arrive at a diagnosis.
Creatinine and Exercise
-
5
Avoid overexertion in the gym. The National Institutes of Health performed a 2002 study that documents evidence of football players reporting high creatine levels during rigorous two-a-day practices.
-
6
Use proper form according to your exercise routine to avoid accidents and injuries. Complete a stretching routine and a light jogging regimens prior to physical activity. Muscle tears and pulls release additional creatine and its creatinine byproduct into the bloodstream.
-
7
Avoid creatine and protein supplements if you are at risk for kidney failure. These supplements make your kidneys work harder to remove wastes.
-
8
Continue with moderate exercise. Do not stop exercising completely simply to reduce creatinine levels. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during your workout.
Prevention
-
9
Commit to healthy lifestyle changes that eliminate the risks of obesity and manage cardiovascular health. Doing so decreases the risks of complications from diabetes, kidney failure, and heart attacks, which are associated with high creatinine levels.
-
10
Reduce exposure to alcohol, tobacco, saturated fats, cholesterol, and refined sugars. These substances reduce your body's tolerance for exercise, slow metabolism, and lead to cardiovascular problems.
-
11
Eat healthy foods, such as fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and chicken breasts that are high in nutrients, relative to fat and simple carbohydrate content.
-
12
Exercise with strength training and aerobics to drop excess weight and improve blood flow. Kidney ailments and high creatinine levels sometimes occur because of poor circulation.
Treatment
-
13
If conditions merit, revisit your doctor after six months to one year following your lifestyle changes to perform another physical examination.
-
14
The doctor will coordinate a series of tests before arriving at another diagnosis, which will determine the cause of your high creatinine levels.
-
15
Your physician will order medication or even surgery in the event that cardiovascular problems cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone. Excess weight and poor blood flow may cause diabetes and kidney disease if left untreated.
-
16
Special procedures and therapy are put in place to deal with chronic disease. Kidney failure and degenerative muscle ailments, such as multiple sclerosis, cause high creatinine levels and require extensive medical regimens to be managed.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Red meat is a source that is high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and creatine. Work to reduce red meat consumption as a means to lower creatinine levels and reduce the risks of poor cardiovascular health.
Do not become overly preoccupied with managing creatinine levels. Instead, your goals should be related to making healthy choices and correcting the particular ailments that actually lead to high creatinine readings.
