Is L-Citrulline Resistance Exercise Randomized Trial safe?

Updated October 2026

Quick Answer

L-Citrulline Resistance Exercise Randomized Trial has evidence relevant to safety, limits, and clinician-discussion contexts, but conclusions should stay close to the cited sources. One representative finding is: Although generally considered safe, their combined use with high-intensity training may increase the risk of exertional rhabdomyolysis and secondary liver or kidney injury.

Key Takeaways

  • 01Although generally considered safe, their combined use with high-intensity training may increase the risk of exertional rhabdomyolysis and secondary liver or kidney injury. [Chowaniec P (2026)]
  • 02Laboratory evaluation revealed markedly elevated creatine kinase (>120,000 U/L) and increased aminotransferases (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 1,275 U/L; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 337 U/L), with preserved renal function (creatinine 1.0 mg/dL; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 108 mL/min/1.73 m²). [Chowaniec P (2026)]
  • 03Creatine and β-alanine enhance exercise capacity through complementary mechanisms involving adenosine triphosphate (ATP) resynthesis and intracellular buffering, potentially enabling greater training loads and increasing risk of muscle injury. [Chowaniec P (2026)]
  • 04Dietary supplements such as creatine, β-alanine, citrulline malate (CM), phosphatidic acid (PA), and β-ecdysterone are widely used to enhance exercise performance and muscle hypertrophy. [Chowaniec P (2026)]
The current Migaku evidence database contains 2 reusable source documents for L-Citrulline Resistance Exercise Randomized Trial. This answer focuses on safety, limits, and clinician-discussion contexts. - Although generally considered safe, their combined use with high-intensity training may increase the risk of exertional rhabdomyolysis and secondary liver or kidney injury. [Chowaniec P (2026); evidence level 4] - Laboratory evaluation revealed markedly elevated creatine kinase (>120,000 U/L) and increased aminotransferases (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 1,275 U/L; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 337 U/L), with preserved renal function (creatinine 1.0 mg/dL; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 108 mL/min/1.73 m²). [Chowaniec P (2026); evidence level 4] - Creatine and β-alanine enhance exercise capacity through complementary mechanisms involving adenosine triphosphate (ATP) resynthesis and intracellular buffering, potentially enabling greater training loads and increasing risk of muscle injury. [Chowaniec P (2026); evidence level 4] - Dietary supplements such as creatine, β-alanine, citrulline malate (CM), phosphatidic acid (PA), and β-ecdysterone are widely used to enhance exercise performance and muscle hypertrophy. [Chowaniec P (2026); evidence level 4] - 1 2 3 4 2 5 6 L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that is found primarily in watermelons, cucumbers, and other melons []. [Gonzalez Adam M. (2023); evidence level 4] Evidence levels are sorting aids, not final clinical grades. Level 1 usually indicates systematic-review style evidence, level 2 indicates randomized trials or public-health guidance, and lower levels need more cautious wording. This page is educational. People with medical conditions, pregnancy, medication use, or unusual symptoms should ask a qualified clinician before changing supplements, medication, or treatment routines.

Sources

  1. Exercise-Induced Rhabdomyolysis With Supplements (Creatine, β-Alanine, Citrulline Malate, and β-Ecdysterone).
  2. Acute Effect of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Recreationally Resistance Trained Men and Women