What Should Not Be Eaten When Creatinine Levels Are High

Generally, individuals with elevated creatinine levels need to manage their diet and medication use. It is not recommended to consume foods such as fried pork belly, pickled vegetables, animal offal, high-potassium bananas, and high-phosphorus nuts. Medications should be taken only as directed by a physician. Self-administration of drugs such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, gentamicin injection, febuxostat tablets, benazepril hydrochloride tablets, and metformin hydrochloride tablets is not advised. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Fried Pork Belly

Fried pork belly contains extremely high levels of fat, and its protein is rich in fat. Individuals with elevated creatinine often have weakened kidney metabolic function. Consuming this food increases the filtration burden on the kidneys and may lead to lipid abnormalities, indirectly affecting kidney blood supply and impairing kidney function. Therefore, it is not recommended.

2. Pickled Vegetables

Pickled vegetables are high in salt. Many individuals with elevated creatinine are at risk of fluid and sodium retention. A high-salt diet increases the kidney's burden of excreting sodium, which may elevate blood pressure and worsen edema, further damaging kidney function. Therefore, these foods should be avoided.

3. Braised Duck Liver

Braised duck liver is high in phosphorus and protein. When creatinine levels are elevated, the kidneys' ability to excrete phosphorus declines. Consuming such foods can lead to hyperphosphatemia, causing calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorders and worsening kidney damage. Excessive protein intake also increases the metabolic burden on the kidneys; therefore, it is not recommended.

4. High-Potassium Bananas

Unripe bananas are high in potassium. Individuals with elevated creatinine often have weakened kidney potassium excretion function. Consumption can lead to hyperkalemia, potentially causing serious symptoms such as arrhythmia and muscle weakness, endangering health. Therefore, strict control or avoidance is necessary.

5. Fried Peanuts

Fried peanuts are high-phosphorus nuts. In individuals with elevated creatinine, consuming these increases the phosphorus load in the body, elevating blood phosphorus levels and disrupting the kidney's regulation of calcium and phosphorus balance. This may trigger renal osteodystrophy and is detrimental to kidney function stability. Hence, they are not recommended.

II. Medications

1. Ibuprofen Sustained-Release Capsules

This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Long-term or excessive use inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, reduces renal blood flow, and worsens kidney damage. Individuals with elevated creatinine have low kidney tolerance, making them prone to further kidney function decline. Self-administration is not recommended.

2. Gentamicin Injection

This belongs to the aminoglycoside antibiotics and is nephrotoxic. Individuals with elevated creatinine have weakened kidney detoxification and excretion capacity. Use may lead to drug accumulation, worsening tubular injury and potentially causing acute kidney injury. It should be used only after strict physician evaluation; self-administration is not recommended.

3. Febuxostat Tablets

Although used to lower uric acid, in individuals with elevated creatinine, insufficient kidney metabolism may increase the risk of adverse drug reactions. Dose adjustment according to kidney function is required. Self-administration at excessive doses may increase the kidney burden; therefore, self-adjustment of dosage is not recommended.

4. Benazepril Hydrochloride Tablets

This is an ACE inhibitor antihypertensive drug that can protect kidney function. However, when creatinine levels exceed a certain level (e.g., >265 μmol/L), failure to adjust the dosage may worsen kidney function. Dosage should be adjusted by a physician based on creatinine levels; self-administration is not recommended.

5. Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets

In individuals with impaired kidney function, metformin hydrochloride cannot be excreted normally through the kidneys, potentially accumulating in the body and causing lactic acidosis. It is contraindicated when creatinine is high and the glomerular filtration rate is <30 ml/min. Therefore, self-administration is not recommended in cases of renal insufficiency.

In daily life, individuals with elevated creatinine should maintain a low-salt, low-fat, low-phosphorus diet with moderate protein intake, drink plenty of warm water to promote metabolism, and avoid fatigue. Before taking any medication, individuals should inform their physician about their kidney function status, regularly monitor creatinine and electrolyte levels, and seek medical attention promptly if any discomfort occurs. Strict adherence to medical advice is essential; self-adjustment of diet or medication is strongly discouraged.