The Claim

Six weeks of combined creatine monohydrate and guanidinoacetic acid supplementation at 10 g/day and 2 g/day, respectively, results in a statistically significant decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by 7.5 mL/min/1.73m², which is attributable to increased creatinine production rather than true kidney impairment.

Source: Effects of six weeks of high-dose creatine monohydrate supplementation with or without guanidinoacetic acid on homocysteine and markers of health

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
76score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Taking 10 grams of creatine monohydrate and 2 grams of guanidinoacetic acid daily for six weeks lowers the estimated glomerular filtration rate by 7.5 mL/min/1.73m² due to higher creatinine levels, not because the kidneys are damaged.

See the scientific wording

Six weeks of combined creatine monohydrate and guanidinoacetic acid supplementation (10 g/day + 2 g/day) leads to a statistically significant decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by 7.5 mL/min/1.73m², but this change is likely an artifact of increased creatinine production and does not reflect true kidney impairment.

Why this might work

Supplementing with creatine and guanidinoacetic acid causes the body to make more creatinine, a waste product that kidney tests measure. Higher creatinine levels trick the formula used to estimate kidney function into showing a lower number, even though the kidneys are filtering just as well as before.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effects of six weeks of high-dose creatine monohydrate supplementation with or without guanidinoacetic acid on homocysteine and markers of health

    Taking creatine and GAA together made a kidney test look worse, but that’s because the supplements made more creatinine — not because the kidneys got damaged. All other health markers stayed normal.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.