Supplements like B vitamins (B9, B12), Vitamin D, iron, and Omega-3s can support kidney health, especially with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), by addressing deficiencies and managing symptoms, but always consult your doctor first, as high doses of some vitamins (like C) can be harmful, and certain supplements (like potassium citrate) need medical guidance, while others (like herbal ones) can be risky. Prescription kidney-specific vitamin formulas (like Nephrocaps) are often used.
Here's a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health.
Kidney disease can affect different parts of your body, including your digestive tract. Even though constipation (not passing stools regularly) is usually the most common digestive problem associated with kidney disease, diarrhea is also common for many people living with kidney disease.
Hsiao or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. (Family Leguminosae). It is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine for treating kidney diseases.
Vitamin D
Those suffering from chronic kidney disease may have low vitamin D levels primarily because damaged kidneys have difficulty converting vitamin D into its active form. Taking a vitamin D supplement may suppress the progression of chronic kidney disease and help you reach a healthy vitamin D level.
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.
Vitamin B12 supplements may help treat certain symptoms of kidney disease. They can assist in preventing anemia and may also treat vitamin B12 deficiencies, which are common in people with kidney disease. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin.
Stay hydrated: Adequate hydration helps the kidneys clear sodium and toxins from the body. Aim for 1.5 – 2 litres of water per day, although individual needs can vary. Maintain a balanced diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce the strain on your kidneys.
FEAR + FRIGHT. Fear is the emotion of the kidneys and the bladder, organs associated with the water element. It is a normal adaptive emotion, but can become chronic when ignored. Kidney issues often arise when we are dealing with fear, such as a change in life direction or unstable living conditions.
Acute kidney failure can be reversed with prompt hospitalization, although the recovery process can take weeks to months and requires regular monitoring, diet modifications, and medications. Chronic kidney failure, however, is often irreversible. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when kidney damage worsens over time.
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.
You can check kidney function at home using at-home test kits for urine (detecting protein/albumin) or finger-prick blood tests (checking creatinine/eGFR), often with smartphone apps for analysis, or by monitoring symptoms like increased nighttime urination (nocturia), swelling, or changes in urine (blood, foam) and discussing results with a doctor, as home tests screen but don't replace professional diagnosis.
1. Less Energy or Trouble Concentrating. A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can cause people to feel tired or weak and can make it hard to concentrate.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
These medications work by inhibiting the production of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels. ACE inhibitors contribute to the dilation of blood vessels, alleviating pressure on the kidneys and ultimately enhancing kidney health.
Top 15 Healthy Foods for People with Kidney Disease
Joy - Heart. Worry - Spleen. Sadness/Grief - Lungs.
Stress and uncontrolled reactions to stress can also lead to kidney damage. As the blood filtering units of your body, your kidneys are prone to problems with blood circulation and blood vessels. High blood pressure and high blood sugar can place an additional strain or burden on your kidneys.
The kidneys in Chinese Medicine are related to the water element, which is the elemental energy of winter. Whereas many energy systems are all about movement, the kidneys are about rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation – they are the energy of holding, of turning inward, and of protecting that which is most important.
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.
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.
Plasma concentrations of CoQ10 are depressed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CoQ10 supplement can reduce adverse cardiovascular events, improve mitochondrial function and decrease oxidative stress in patients with non-dialysis CKD and dialysis CKD.
Warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include extreme fatigue, weakness, pale/yellow skin, numbness/tingling (pins and needles), cognitive issues (memory fog, confusion), mood changes (depression/irritability), and a sore, red tongue, alongside potential shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and balance problems, as symptoms develop slowly and can worsen over time. It's crucial to see a GP, as early treatment prevents potentially irreversible neurological damage, say NHS, Cleveland Clinic, and WebMD.
Recently released Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome guidelines recommend using vitamin D in patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD (not on dialysis) who are vitamin D deficient and who have parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels above the normal range (16).
Vitamin B12 is required for the development, myelination, and function of the central nervous system; healthy red blood cell formation; and DNA synthesis [1,4,5]. Vitamin B12 functions as a cofactor for two enzymes, methionine synthase and L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase [1-3,5].