A comprehensive 2025 meta-analysis examining 685 clinical trials and over 26,000 participants has conclusively demonstrated that creatine supplementation does not damage kidney function, settling a longstanding debate in sports medicine and nutrition science.
While serum creatinine levels do increase with supplementation, this elevation reflects higher muscle creatine stores rather than renal dysfunction. The analysis found no changes in measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR), cystatin C, proteinuria, or albuminuria—the definitive markers of actual kidney health. The confusion arose because kidney function equations assume constant creatinine production, a baseline assumption invalidated when exogenous creatine increases intramuscular stores.
These findings provide reassurance to athletes and active individuals considering supplementation. Healthcare providers should distinguish between elevated serum creatinine as a benign mathematical artifact and genuine kidney dysfunction, which requires evaluation through alternative kidney function markers.
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