Can Weightlifting Increase Creatinine Levels?

I have always wondered whether moderate to intensive exercise, including weightlifting can boost my creatinine levels. The human body naturally produces this molecule at a rate of 0,03 to 0,07 ounces per day depending on the food intake.

Can weightlifting increase creatinine levels? The simple answer to this question is Yes. Moderate and intense weightlifting exercises have been shown to increase creatinine levels significantly – Source.

The Relationship Between Creatine and Creatinine

Creatinine is a substance derived from the breakdown of creatine in muscle cells. It is ultimately a simple organic waste, which is eliminated via the urinary tract after passing through the kidneys.

The origin of creatine is twofold. Exogenous creatine is absorbed in the intestine and localized in tissues, such as striated muscle, myocardium and the brain. Endogenous creatine is synthesized in two stages.

The first reaction (transamidination), which results in glycocyamine (guanidino-acetic acid) takes place in the kidney. The second (transmethylation) occurs in the liver.

Endogenous creatinine starts in the muscle and is eliminated by the kidney (two percent of total creatine) every twenty-four hours. The level of circulating creatinine regulates the biosynthesis of endogenous creatine, which is inhibited by excessive dietary intake. This inhibition is achieved by repression on the synthesis of renal transaminases.

Creatinuria only appears when the plasma level exceeds 0.6 milligrams (mg). In the normal state, adult urine does not contain creatine. On the other hand, in children, creatinuria is physiological. Some medical conditions can affect the metabolism of creatine and creatinine.

The measurement of creatinine provides information on the renal function and the muscle mass of an individual. Creatinine is produced from creatine, an essential molecule for the production of energy in muscles.

Usually, creatinine is carried by the blood and then eliminated by the kidneys in the urine. The increase in the blood (plasma level) translates to a reduction in renal function.

In medicine, it is essential to evaluate the elimination function performed by the renal glomeruli. Glomerular filtration rate is estimated by calculating creatinine clearance based on creatinine level in the blood as well as age, sex, and weight of the individual.

Two formulas are commonly used, the Cockroft formula and the MDRD. The clearance of creatinine makes it possible to identify renal insufficiency.

Clearance and Measurement of Creatinine

The clearance of a molecule defines its ability to be purified by an organ. Its calculation is based on the creatinine content in the plasma. This makes it possible to evaluate the filtration and purification of the kidney according to two formulas.

The clearance of creatinine is decreased in cases of renal failure, and its rate is correlated with the severity of this deficiency.

Urine creatinine is measured by collecting the urine produced by the patient throughout 24 hours. Urine is stored in a container at a low temperature. The results should be between 1200 and 2000 milligrams per 24 hours (for men). For women, results hover between 900 and 1800 mg/24h.

The creatinine level in an individual is constant; however, it is essential to calculate the clearance. This refers to the ratio between the amount provided by the plasma and the kidney.

The variation of this rate determines the functional state of the kidney. The doctor prescribes medication for people who may have renal dysfunction.

The creatinine level may vary from one individual to another. In athletes, the levels are higher because the muscles work more intensely and therefore produce more creatinine.

Creatinine levels increase in cases of kidney failure or intense physical or muscular activity. If the amount of creatinine is higher than the average, this may indicate a malfunction of the kidneys. Muscle mass plays an important role.

Changes in creatinine levels in the blood and urine depend on the proper functioning of the kidneys. It is therefore vital to take care of your body. Here are some precautions to keep your kidneys healthy:

– Avoid hyper-protein diets that tend to work a lot of kidneys.
– Drink plenty of water, 6 cups per day minimum. It helps the kidneys to eliminate waste. Preferably, opt for weakly mineralized waters.
– Monitor your blood sugar level.
– No smoking. Tobacco accelerates the development of kidney diseases.
– Obesity can damage kidney function.

What Does a High Level of Creatinine Mean for Athletes?

Creatinine is a substance that comes from the catabolism of creatine phosphate. It is this creatine that muscles use. Being active in physical activities, such as weightlifting contributes to a significant increase.

If you take a blood test a day after playing sport, it is almost certain that the value will be raised. On the other hand, increased protein intake can elevate creatinine production because of the increase in protein synthesis.

Athletes involved in resistance training are more likely to have a blood creatinine level that is higher than usual. However, this is not an anomaly.

Serum creatinine increases with age. Some medications change the level of creatinine in the blood. Oral contraceptives increase it while antiepileptic drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the molecule.

A high protein diet leads to an increase in creatinine levels of about 20 percent. Prolonged fasting, in the presence of ketone bodies (substances produced during the degradation of fats by the liver), leads to an overestimation of the rates. Creatinine urination decreases with age.

Weightlifting has many benefits to mass muscle gain, and it involves exercises that combine strength and speed. These exercises will improve muscle fibers. It is these muscle fibers that have the best potential for hypertrophy.

Weightlifting will develop an athlete’s ability to recruit a maximum number of muscle fibers, which will result in speed and strength gains. With regular practice, weightlifting movements help develop flexibility and improve posture.

This applies to the flexibility of the hips, ankles, shoulders and the ribcage. The movements amplify chest expansion.

They activate the central nervous system and lead to potentiation. The nervous system activates its connection with the muscles, so it improves recruiting capacity. This results in heavier workloads.

Creatine Sources for The Body

Creatine, which is used in sports nutrition as creatine monohydrate is an amino acid. It has the formula C4H9N3O2, and its molar mass is 131.133 g/mol. For biochemists, it is presented as a nitrogen derivative present in the skeletal muscles and the brain.

According to the results of many research studies, creatine plays a significant role in muscle contraction as well as in the storage and release of energy.

Combined with phosphate in the form of phosphocreatine, it is an energy source available immediately in the muscle. Bodybuilding and strength sports enthusiasts, including weightlifters, rely a great deal on this molecule.

The endogenous synthesis of creatine depends on the needs of the body, which can vary from one person to another. It is now possible to increase the creatine level through supplementation. The molecule is available as a dietary supplement in the form of a white powder that dissolves in water.

Powdered creatine remains a natural nutritional supplement because it is made by the body from amino acids. It can also be derived directly from food. However, there is a problem with the purity of creatine available commercially.

It has residues, which can be dangerous if it is used in the long term. It is possible to extract creatine from food, but it is expensive and complicated.

Animal flesh contains the largest amounts of creatine. For instance, uncooked fish, such as salmon and tuna, and meats like pork and beef have a significant amount of the molecule. Herring, on the other hand, has the highest amount of creatine.

However, cooking can destroy some of the creatine in these foods. Thus, the amount of creatine from the diet in omnivores can be reduced depending on how the food is prepared.

For vegetarians, the intake of creatine from food is zero. The only source of the molecule comes from the endogenous synthesis provided by the body.

For individuals wishing to increase creatine levels in their body, it will be necessary to use creatine-based dietary supplements. Supplementation increases to a certain degree the creatine content in the muscles.

According to various physiological and biochemical data, high intake does not allow any storage of this molecule in the muscles.

Creatine and Weightlifting

When adequately consumed, creatine is a valuable ally for your bodybuilding and weightlifting activities. This amino acid helps you gain considerably in strength and muscle mass and has no side effects – provided you respect a few essential points.

Creatine is naturally contained in human musculature. One kilogram of muscle mass contains about four grams of creatine. The natural presence rate of creatine is already approx. 160 grams.

Do you want to improve your strength and muscle relaxation constantly? Creatine will quickly become your best friend. This miracle capsule is particularly suitable for constant muscle development and weight gain

Commercial creatine is a synthetic derivative resulting from a chemical reaction between sodium sarcosine and cyanamide. Sold in the form of soluble or semi-soluble powder, tablets, wafers or liquid form, the molecule is considered a dietary supplement.

It is common to add other nutrients, which are expected to increase its effects. The nutrients include glucose, protein, vitamins, minerals, RNA (ribonucleic acid), glutamine, taurine or some plant extracts.

Creatine supplementation helps increase skeletal muscle phosphocreatine content and improve exercise performance for certain activities. Phosphocreatine, stored in skeletal muscle is a precursor to adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It supplies energy to muscle cells.

Increasing creatine levels in the body can promote ATP renewal during short, intense exercise sessions. It can accelerate phosphocreatine synthesis after weightlifting workouts.

Creatine also promotes water retention in the muscles, which increases body weight and muscle volume.

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References:

www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Nutrition/Q215039.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4170516/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322380.php