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Happy Tummy Expert

1 year ago

Dear mayank, Thank you for the question

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles from the breakdown of a compound called creatine. Creatinine is removed from the body by the kidneys, which filter almost all of it from the blood and release it into the urine. 

Increase in creatinine can occur due to various conditions such as increased consumption of protein, due to an underlying kidney ailment, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, urinary tract infection etc. or other underlying health condition which may require medical assistance.

We request you to kindly contact your nephrologist and endocrinologist for further assistance, diagnosis and management.

Serum creatinine level for men with normal kidney function is approximately 0.6 to 1.2mg/dL and between 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women. 

A high protein diet which consists of large amounts of protein foods e.g. meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cheese, milk and yoghurt will cause the build-up of urea and creatinine in your blood. Consume these foods in limited quantity as completely avoiding protein intake is inappropriate whereas as recommended daily intake of protein is necessary to avoid malnutrition.

Tips to manage Creatinine levels-

• Limit Protein Intake- Excessive protein-rich diets can also promote an increase in blood creatinine levels. Avoid eating cooked red meat and switch to plant-based Protein sources like pulses, dhals, legumes etc diet.
• Limit Sodium Intake- Diet high in sodium may lead to high blood pressure and fluid retention that might cause high creatinine levels. Thus, prefer low sodium diet for high creatinine levels. Some of the high sodium foods include salt preserved foods like pickles, sauces, canned foods, salted butter, dry fish, papads, etc.
• Stay Hydrated- Dehydration can also be a cause of high creatinine levels. Make sure you drink at least 6-8 glasses of water every day.
• Limit or avoid Herbal Or Green Tea- Drinking herbal tea made from chamomile, nettle leaf or dandelion root may act as diuretics which help in the elimination of creatinine quickly through urine

For general wellbeing, you can begin by consuming a balanced diet is which provides all the nutrients in required amounts and proper proportions. It can easily be achieved through a blend of the four basic food groups. The quantities of foods needed to meet the nutrient requirements vary with age, gender, physiological status and physical activity. A balanced diet should provide around 50-60% of total calories from carbohydrates, preferably from complex carbohydrates, about 10-15% from proteins and 20-30% from both visible and invisible fat.

As a general dietary guideline, for an apparently healthy individual/ with no specific health or nutrition needs and/or metabolic condition it is recommended to consume 2000kcal/d and for men, the RDA for protein requirement is 54g/d and for fiber it is 30g/d.

Here are few guidelines for healthy balanced diet that can be considered:

• Have a Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the food groups in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning.
• Try to incorporate the My plate Concept by dividing your plate into 4 quadrants, fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, the other two quadrants with cereals and protein. A small quantity of dairy intake is recommended. (Keep in mind to have high creatinine foods in limit quantity)
• Some of the good sources of protein include pulses, lentils, soybean, nuts & seeds, etc.  
• Begin your day with a well-balanced breakfast as it is an important meal of the day.
• Avoid skipping meals. Also, try to avoid fasting and feasting too often.
• Consume small frequent meals, with healthy snacking options.
• Consume minimum 5 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit as they are rich in Fiber, essential minerals & Vitamins as well as they give you a feeling of satiety.
• Try to consume more of Whole grains, Millets and Multigrain foods as they are a good source of fiber.
• Limit intake of deep-fried foods. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
• Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before sleep time.
• Drink adequate amount of water (minimum 8 glasses) of water daily to keep yourself well hydrated
• Engage in at least 30-45 minutes brisk walk/physical activity of moderate intensity at least 5 days a week.
• Try and follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and Quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

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