In this episode of Wellness Focused, I’m tackling one of the most common questions I get: Is creatine bad for your kidneys?
Creatine is one of the most studied and effective supplements for energy, strength, and even brain health. But there’s a catch: creatine breaks down into creatinine—the very marker doctors use to measure kidney function. This can make it look like your kidneys are failing, even when they’re perfectly healthy.
I’ll explain what this means for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and people at higher risk of kidney disease. You’ll learn who can safely use creatine, who needs to be cautious, and what tests are better for monitoring kidney health if you supplement.
Supplements should support—not replace—a strong foundation of diet, movement, sleep, and stress balance. Let’s clear up the confusion about creatine and your kidneys once and for all.
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Dr. Bismah Irfan, MD, is a board-certified nephrologist specializing in functional medicine approaches to kidney health. She helps patients heal from chronic kidney disease, inflammation, and immune dysfunction by addressing root causes with personalized strategies.
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Dr. Bismah Irfan, MD
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Produced by DrTalks: https://drtalks.com/podcast/