Vitamins and supplements are an important key to helping maintain overall health. Many people who have impaired renal function may be hesitant to take certain vitamins or supplements due to diet restrictions. However, some vitamins and supplements may help replenish the areas where vitamins may be lacking. Anyone with impaired renal function may have a higher chance of having vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to certain therapy treatments.2 Therefore, taking vitamins and supplements as recommended is essential in maintaining proper health, to prevent further complications, and maintain kidney function.
Nutritional supplements for healthy kidney function
Kidney patients have a high level of deficiencies for several reasons. Dialysis treatments for some often lead to a decrease in vitamins and an increase in deficiencies. Some medications, like statins, may remove or block the absorption of certain nutrients.1,2,6
Together with impaired production of vitamins during kidney disease, patients may require additional supplementation to meet their daily requirements.2 We’ve found that the following vitamins/supplements may help in maintaining healthy kidney function.
B Vitamins
The important B Vitamins for people who have impaired renal function include B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 (cobalamin). Working alongside iron, B6, B12 and folic acid help prevent anemia.7
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
Did you know that Vitamin D is also called the “Sunshine Vitamin?” Vitamin D3 earned its nickname because it is synthesized in your skin from sun exposure and has sho or Cholecalciferol (natural). D2 is often given as a prescription medicine and studies show it benefits the kidneys, however, the natural form D3 has shown additional benefits over D2.2
Probiotics
Probiotics are living organisms that live within the intestinal tract of humans and animals. They are also known as beneficial or “good” bacteria. With impaired renal function, there is an imbalance between “good” and “bad” bacteria, which may lead to inflammation. When inflammation occurs, it reduces the elimination of uremic (kidney) toxins.3,4 Renadyl™, a probiotic for kidney health, has been specially formulated and studied in human clinical trials and shown to help maintain healthy kidney function using “enteric/intestinal dialysis” technology.5 To learn more about how Renadyl™ works, click here.
The Take-Away
B Vitamins, vitamin D3, and probiotics are excellent vitamins and nutritional supplements you can begin using to help with your kidney health.
Remember to always consult with your healthcare practitioner or dietician to see which supplements may be best for you.
By Bridget Bagnell: Bridget Bagnell is a Marketing Associate at Kibow® Biotech Inc, the makers of Renadyl™. Bridget is a writer for The Hope and also for the official Renadyl™ blog. Aside from writing, she also works with Kibow Flora™ & Kibow Fortis® (pre and probiotic dietary supplements). She is a West Chester University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. In her free time, Bridget enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. Reach Bridget at bridget@kibowbiotech.com.
References
- Caso G, Kelly P, McNurlan MA, Lawson WE. Effect of coenzyme Q10 on myopathic symptoms in patients treated with statins. Am J Cardiol 2007;99:1409–12.
- Himmelfarb, J & Sayegh M. H. (2010) Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, and Transplantation: A Companion To Brenner & Rector’s The Kidney (3rd
Ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders-Elsevier, Inc. - Kotanko P, Carter M, Levin NW. Intestinal bacterial microflora–a potential source of chronic inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease. Nephrol
Dial Transplant. 2006 Aug;21(8):2057-60.PMID: 16762961 [PubMed-indexed for MEDLINE] - Nosratola D Vaziri, Jakk Wong, Madeleine Pahl, Yvette M Piceno, Jun Yuan, Todd Z DeSantis, Zhenmin Ni, Tien-Hung Nguyen, Gary L Andersen. Chronic kidney
disease alters intestinal microbial flora. Kidney International, 2012; DOI: 10.1038/ki.2012.34 - Ranganathan N, et al: Probiotic dietary supplementation in patients with stage III and IV chronic kidney disease: a 6-month pilot scale trial in Canada.
Current Medical Research and Opinions, 25(8): 1919-1930, 2009. - Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, et al. Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Arch Neurol 2004;61:889–92. - Vitamins and Minerals in Chronic Kidney Disease. (2019, May 31). Retrieved from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/vitamineral