Nutrients (tabs)

Selected Nutrients for Kidney Health

People with kidney disease have different nutritional needs. Learn which nutrients to supplement and which to avoid for supporting overall health and well-being, including brain, heart, and kidney health.

Potassium

The kidneys are responsible for maintaining the balance of minerals such as potassium and phosphorus in the body. The kidneys are not functioning properly in patients with with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those on dialysis. It is therefore imperative for kidney patients to limit their intake of certain minerals. If body potassium levels become elevated, an irregular heartbeat or heart attack may ensue.1 In addition to limiting certain foods with potassium, kidney patients should not take supplements, heart vitamins or multivitamins that contain potassium. ProRenal and ProRenal with Omega-3 are formulated to be the best vitamins for health and, therefore, do not contain potassium, so we do not unduly tax the kidneys which itself will support kidney health.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a mineral that should be limited in patients with kidney disease. In these patients, phosphorus can build up in the blood, which can weaken bones, making them more likely to break. Kidney patients need to be aware of high phosphorus foods and control their intake through diet.2 It is paramount that you are careful with your phosphorus intake. You should especially avoid taking any supplements, heart vitamins or multivitamins that contain phosphorus. ProRenal and ProRenal with Omega-3 are specifically formulated to not have phosphorus.

Calcium

Not all kidney patients need extra calcium. Therefore, calcium supplementation requirements should be determined individually, as advised by a physician. Supplementation can be beneficial for some patients by supporting heart health. People often take heart health vitamins and cholesterol supplements that contain calcium, but in kidney patients, calcium can cause kidney stones or dangerously high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia).3 Excess calcium can lead to kidney stones when free calcium crystals fuse together and they cannot be easily excreted through the urine. Higher levels of calcium in the blood can sometimes lead to kidney damage, and severe levels can result in a permanent loss of kidney function.4 Always discuss your calcium regimen with your doctor.

Trace Elements

Decreased levels of the trace elements, copper, zinc and selenium, are often found in patients with kidney disease and those on dialysis.5 The loss of these trace elements can result in increased oxidative stress. Supplementing with appropriate trade minerals helps support heart health. The National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) recommends specific guidelines for supplementation of trace elements in kidney and dialysis patients. Heart vitamins and multivitamins for kidney patients should have adequate amounts of trace minerals as delineated by the KDOQI Guidelines.6 ProRenal and ProRenal with Omega-3 are formulated to be the best vitamins for kidney health as well as the best vitamins for health and thus have been especially formulate contain the optimal amount of trace elements.

Iron

Iron is essential for red blood cell formation and a decline in iron levels can cause anemia, or a low red blood cell count. Kidney patients, especially those who are on dialysis, cannot maintain adequate iron stores so they are at risk for developing anemia. To prevent anemia in kidney patients, the KDOQI Guidelines recommend regular iron supplementation to achieve target iron levels.7 A daily dose of iron in your multivitamin could be helpful for kidney and dialysis patients.

ProRenal multivitamins are formulated by doctors to be the best supplements for heart health and kidney health. ProRenal has been formulated to address the specific nutrient needs of kidney patients. Trace elements and iron are included as part of a complete multivitamin, specially designed to support kidney health. Certain minerals should be limited in a kidney healthy diet so ProRenal supplements never contain potassium or phosphorus. ProRenal multivitamins are available in two varieties: ProRenal for supporting kidney health or ProRenal with Omega-3 for supporting heart health and kidney health.