Can a Specific Diet Lower Creatinine Levels?

During physical activity, muscle cells break down and form a waste product called creatinine. When the kidneys function normally, they remove creatinine from the bloodstream and eliminate it in the urine. When kidney function declines, creatinine builds up in the blood stream and causes problems that include fatigue, itchy skin and nausea. Special dietary restrictions help reduce creatinine levels.
Features
This type of diet restricts the intake of protein, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. In patients with advanced kidney disease, a diet designed to lower creatinine levels also restricts fluid consumption. Eating less protein reduces the workload of the kidneys, while eating less sodium, phosphorus and potassium prevents these substances from building up in the bloodstream. Reducing fluid intake prevents fluid from building up in the bloodstream, which reduces blood pressure and prevents swelling.
With a reduced workload, the kidneys do not have to work as hard to maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balances. Eating less protein reduces the amount of creatinine the body produces. Both of these things make it easier for the kidneys to filter creatinine out of the blood and reduce creatinine levels. Following this type of diet may also slow the progression of kidney disease.
Kidney Diet
There is no one particular kidney diet for patients with elevated creatinine. Individual dietary recommendations are based upon the patient's lab results, blood pressure, symptoms and other metrics. Making dietary changes has no preventative value if the change is not merited. Since patients with moderate kidney disease often have to heed to a restricted diet eventually, there is no sense in imposing restrictions that serve no purpose.
Sodium

One of the most helpful things that people with high creatinine can do to preserve renal function is to control their blood pressures. The kidneys are primarily made from vascular tissue. In addition to renal arteries, the glomeruli, or filters, are simply nests of tiny capillaries. These tissues are destroyed by hypertension, which is endemic in this population. In addition to taking blood pressure medications, eating a low-sodium diet is beneficial. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases suggests limiting sodium intake to 2,000 mg per day. It suggests keeping a sodium diary so you are conscious of how much sodium is in your food.