Creatinine is the breakdown by-product of a protein substance called creatine. Both creatine and creatinine helps in muscle contractions. As creatinine is a waste by-product it is eliminated by the kidneys. This constant elimination help in maintaining normal and low creatinine levels in the body. The creatinine levels can be checked by performing a blood test or urine test.
Normal range of creatininein human body are 0.9-1.3 mg/dl in adult males , 0.6-1.1 mg/dl in adult females 0.5-1.0 mg/dl in children. The level of creatinine in human body can be studied by performing a blood test or urine test.
As kidneys are responsible for elimination of creatinine from body, if the filtration part of kidney i.e; glomerulus is damaged or is not working efficiently elimination of creatinine through kidneys is not done efficiently this causes increase in level of creatinine .peoplesuffering with chronic kidney disorder,renal infections, low blood pressure, diabetes,auto immune disorders, infection like syphilis, hepatitis B and C will show higher creatinine levels in blood.
Higher creatinine levels are an indication of improper kidney functioning.
Signs and symptoms that shows possible elevation in creatinine levels are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Cramps
- Weakness
- Change in urination frequency and colour of urine
- Swelling
- High blood pressure
Here are few tips to help you lower creatinine levels.
How to reduce creatinine levels naturally:
In order to reduce the levels of creatinine in the body and maintain optimal levels the excess creatinine is to be eliminated from the body. People often undergo a treatment called dialysis to achieve this.
Dialysis is medical procedure to eliminate waste from body and is often recommended when the kidneys no longer function efficiently.
Few tips to reduce creatinine levels naturally are:
- Reduce protein intake:
Red meat has muscle tissue which containcreatine. This creatine when absorbed by body breakdown to creatinine.
Therefore less consumption of red meat is advised to reduce the levels of creatin in body.
- Avoid consumption of creatine supplements:
Creatine supplements are often consumed by atheletes to generate energy to enhance muscular contraction, it is advisable only to be consumed for a period of 3-6 months.
AS we know creatinis the parent compound of creatinine, therefore consumption of creatin supplements also elevate the levels of creatinine.
- Indulge in less strenuous activities:
When we exercise, muscles are strained and require energy which is obtained by breakdown of creatine.
Excessive exercise leads to more creatin buildup inturn increasing the levels of creatinine.
So avoid exercise or any strenuous activity to maintain your creatinine level in optimal range.
- Increase your fluid intake:
Drinking atleast 6-8 glasses of water reduce creatinine level in body by increased diuresis.
- Get enough sleep:
When we sleep, our body’s metabolic rate is reduced this help in reducing the creatinine levels.
- Using alpha lipoic acid:
Alpha lipoicacid reduce protein levels in body and hence they simultaneously help in reducing the creatinine levels.
Apart from these consuming supplements containing substances that improve diuresis and kidney function also help in attaining optimal creatinine levels.
Also Read: Home Remedies: How to Reduce Sugar Level
Lowering Creatinine Levels in Body Through Diet:
- Increased dietary fiber intake :
Consumption of food containing high fiber content helps you to reduce the creatinine levels in the body.
You can include cucumber, onion, garlic, leafy vegetables, apples, food rich in omega3 in your diet to reduce creatinine levels.
- Reduce sodium intake in diet:
Excessive sodium causes fluid retention in body this ma lead excessive absorption of many products that are to be eliminated via urine.
Creatinine is one such example.
Hence reducing the intake of sodium in diet is advisory to reduce the absorption and level of creatinine in body.
- Consume lot of water and avoid de hydration:
creatinine levels can rise due to dehydration and hence drinking lot water and maintaining hydration levels is very important.
- Reduce potassium intake:
Increased potassium levels in blood lead to hyperkalemia, which cause several kidney disorders. Consuming food rich in potassium lead to elevated creatinine levels as potassium reduces the eliminating function of kidneys.
Herbal Remedies to Reduce Creatinine Level:
There are many remedies to reduce creatinine levels in body. Though there efficiency and success rate may vary from person to person. Various chineseherbs are known to be effectively supporting and improving kidney function that help in reducing creatinine levels in body. These herbs have natural enzymes and are gentle with fewer sideeffects and more medicational effects there by help in preventing excessive creatinine absorption thereby help in maintaining optimal creatinine range.
Apart from showing many positive effects on renal functioning chinese herbs also help in improvising various other body function without any major side effects and optrimize overall wellness.
Here are few herbal remedies that help you to reduce creatinine.
- Drinking herbal tea:
Herbal teas made from herbs like chamomile, nettle leaf, dandelion root show diuretic action hence help in reducing creatinine levels.
- Ginseng:
Ginseng improves the renal circulation inducing diuretic action by increasing volume of urine and reduce as much creatinine as possible.
- Poly gonum root:
Poly gonum is a Chinese herb, which help to improve kidney’s ability to detoxify and flush out toxins from the body. Creatinine being a toxin is also flushed out. Apart from reducing creatinine level, poly gonum also helps to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol in body.
- Epimeduim leaf:
Helps to improve kidney strength functioning and its ability to filter out waste.
- Astragalus root:
It has a mild diuretic compound asparginewhich increase the kidney output. It helps to increase the rate at which toxins and creatinine are removed from the body.
It also improves digestion,and body metabolism.
- Cinnamon:
This is a kidney friendly herb, it induces diuretic action and effectively flush out all the waste and toxic material from the body, improve the filteration ability of kidneys.
Apart from this it also helps to reduce blood sugar levels thereby preventing any further renal damage from being caused.
- Dandelion root:
It is a natural diuretic which helps in effectively eliminating creatinine from kidneys and reduce creatinine levels in the body. It also reduces edema and any swelling caused due to accumulation of fluid in the body.
References:
- https://www.indushealthplus.com/prevention-keep-creatinine-level-normal.html
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320113#diet
- https://www.rxlist.com/siberian_ginseng/supplements.htm
- https://www.thehealthsite.com/home-remedies/effective-home-remedies-to-lower-creatinine-levels-762715/