Research
Mixed
Creatine supplementation is not deleterious to kidney function in healthy individuals, despite common concerns linking it to kidney damage.
If you have healthy kidneys, you can take creatine safely. It does not damage kidney function, even with long-term use. The common fear of kidney damage is a myth based on confusing creatine with creatinine, a waste product that naturally rises with supplementation.
GoodRefutesHIGH confidence
In a placebo-controlled double-blind clinical study, involving healthy men, Cr supplementation at 10 g/day for 3 months had no deleterious effect on kidney function... Even long-term Cr supplementation (4 g/day for 2 years) is today considered safe... Thus, Cr taken at the recommended dosage in a chemically pure form is not deleterious to kidney function and health.
Why this rating
Cites multiple clinical studies including double-blind trials and long-term use in specific populations.
Source
The creatine kinase system and pleiotropic effects of creatine
Theo Wallimann et al. · Amino Acids · 2011
DOI 10.1007/s00726-011-0877-3
narrative_reviewCited 760×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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