Minerals

CK

CK (creatine kinase) is an enzyme found mainly in the muscles, where it helps supply energy for muscle work.

Health areaMinerals
Included inEssentialLongevityMax
What it is

CK (creatine kinase) is an enzyme found mainly in the skeletal muscles, and in smaller amounts in the heart and brain. It helps supply energy for muscle work. When muscles are worked hard, more CK passes into the blood, so the level often reflects recent physical activity.

What affects your levels

Hard or unfamiliar exercise, especially strength training and long runs, can raise CK for several days. Muscle mass, sex, a muscle injury and some medicines such as statins also affect the level.

Food

Foods that help

Enough protein from eggs, fish, poultry and legumes, plenty of water, and fruit, berries and vegetables.

Foods to limit

A lot of alcohol. Several days of rest after very hard training give a more even picture before the test.

With Pheno

Track it through the year

One value is a snapshot. Following it up shows whether what you changed is working.

Related markers

Educational information only — not a diagnosis. Every result is checked against safe limits, and anything critical is escalated for follow-up.

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