Yes, you can often take Vitamin B12 with kidney disease, as it's water-soluble and helps with anemia, but you must consult your doctor first; they'll determine if you need it, the correct dosage, and ensure the supplement doesn't contain harmful levels of potassium, sodium, or phosphorus, especially if you're on dialysis or a restricted diet. B12 is important for nerve health and red blood cell formation, but excessive amounts or certain forms (like cyanocobalamin) might need careful monitoring in kidney patients.
While research shows that high vitamin B12 levels don't directly damage healthy kidneys, elevated B12 often serves as an indicator of underlying kidney dysfunction.
Vitamin B12
2-3 ug/day supplement recommended for CKD (dialysis and non-dialysis); deficiency can cause permanent nerve damage. Always include B12 supplement with folate.
Two major drug types to avoid or use with extreme caution in kidney disease are Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) for reducing blood flow to the kidneys, and certain antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides (like gentamicin) and some antivirals, which can directly harm kidney tissue. Always consult your doctor before taking any new medication, as many over-the-counter products and prescriptions can negatively impact kidney function.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, manage blood pressure and sugar, limit over-the-counter pain relievers (like NSAIDs), and maintain a healthy weight to support overall kidney function.
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Overall, mean eGFR at baseline was 86.1 mL/min/1.73 m2. Those with higher levels of B12 were less likely to be carriers of MTHFR 677 TT (the gene encoding methylenate-trahydrofolate reductase); had higher levels of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and folate; and had higher living standards.
Here's a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health.
Vitamin B12 does a lot of important things for your body. It helps create your DNA and red blood cells, for example. Your body also needs B12 for the development of your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord).
Possible interactions include:
You should be able to get all the vitamin B12 you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take vitamin B12 supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. Taking 2mg or less a day of vitamin B12 in supplements is unlikely to cause any harm.
Vitamins A, E, and K usually don't need to be taken as supplements if you have CKD. Most people get enough of these vitamins in their diet, even with CKD. Also, your body stores these vitamins to use later. So, taking too much can cause a buildup in your body and be harmful.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence suggests that increases in both serum and intracellular magnesium (Mg) can slow or even prevent the development of vascular calcification seen in CKD.
Eat a kidney-friendly diet and exercise regularly.
A dietitian can help you plan meals that you like based on your preferences. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are also effective ways to help manage your disease progression. Talk to your doctor about incorporating exercise into your daily routine.
While Vitamin B12 is generally safe, potential disadvantages (side effects) can occur, especially with high doses or injections, including headaches, nausea, diarrhea, weakness, skin issues (rash, itching), and rarely, more serious heart or allergic reactions (like anaphylaxis), though toxicity from oral intake is rare as excess is usually excreted. Conversely, a deficiency can cause serious problems like irreversible nerve damage, memory loss, fatigue, infertility, and increased risk of certain cancers, making proper intake crucial.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
Metformin is the most common medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps to lower your blood sugar to prevent or slow damage to your kidneys.
Acute kidney injury (AKI): a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. In AKI, your eGFR number goes down very quickly, but usually goes back up when the cause of the AKI is treated.
Acute kidney failure can be caused by factors like severe dehydration, infections, or blockages. The good news is that with the right treatment, it's often possible to reverse kidney disease in these cases. Your kidneys can return to normal function after the underlying issue is resolved.
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ProRenal+D 90-Day Supply Daily Kidney Multivitamin ProRenal +D is a complete daily multivitamin specially formulated to support the kidney health of people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or End Stage Renal Disease.