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The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Kidney Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Andreas Tsiaras, Georgios Loufopoulos, Xenophon Theodoridis, Vassilios Liakopoulos, Kalliopi Anna Poulia, Michail Chourdakis
J Ren Nutr 2026 Online ahead of print

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 42035842
DOI
10.1053/j.jrn.2026.04.010
Funding
None (publisher statement).
Competing interests
None (publisher statement).

Study snapshot

DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, including one randomized crossover study
ModelHuman
Sample19 RCTs and 1 double-blind randomized crossover study
InterventionCreatine supplementation versus placebo/control across randomized kidney-function studies
DurationVaried by included trial; subgroup analyses compared shorter and longer supplementation
EndpointsSerum creatinine; Serum urea; Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)

What the study showed, in plain terms

2026 kidney-focused meta-analysis assessing whether creatine changes serum creatinine, urea or estimated filtration in randomized human studies.

Key findings

Creatine was associated with a small increase in serum creatinine, while pooled urea and eGFR were not significantly different from control. The authors interpret the creatinine rise as not demonstrating impaired renal function.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Included studies varied in population, dose and duration; most follow-up was substantially shorter than one year, so long-term renal safety in higher-risk populations remains less certain.

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Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction