The 6 Best Supplements for Kidney Health

There are many herbal and nutritional supplements on the market that claim to help with kidney health. No supplement can reverse damage caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD). But this condition changes how your body uses vitamins and minerals. That means you may need to take supplements to stay healthy if you have CKD. Your healthcare team will review which renal supplements you’ll need to take. 

The best supplements for kidney health will depend on your health, medications, and kidney function. Depending on your needs, your healthcare team may recommend vitamin supplements. Here’s a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health. 

1. B vitamins

The body depends on eight different B vitamins. Supplements may contain one, some, or all of these vitamins. Supplements that contain multiple B vitamins are often called vitamin B complex. 

Three B vitamins — B6, B12, and folic acid — are key for making red blood cells. Without them, anemia can develop, leading to fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath. 

People with CKD are especially at risk. That’s because their kidneys make less erythropoietin, a hormone that tells the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. When erythropoietin is low, old blood cells aren’t replaced quickly enough, causing anemia. Low B vitamin levels can make this worse, so getting enough is important. Your healthcare team can recommend the right dose.

It’s important for people with CKD to avoid anything else that can lead to anemia, like low vitamin B levels. Your healthcare team can help you determine how much vitamin B you need to take each day. 

2. Iron

The body also needs iron to make red blood cells. Low iron levels can lead to a specific kind of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia. 

People with CKD often develop iron-deficiency anemia for several reasons. First, people living with CKD can lose iron stores during frequent blood draws and dialysis. 

People may also not take in enough iron through their diet because CKD can affect their appetite. And even if they do get enough, their bodies may not be able to use it effectively. That’s because CKD raises levels of a hormone called hepcidin. Hepcidin acts like a gatekeeper: It blocks the release of stored iron and prevents the body from using absorbed iron to make new red blood cells. Over time, this lack of usable iron leads to iron-deficiency anemia.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Best foods for kidney health: Foods low in sodium and potassium are helpful. Find out which foods to eat or avoid if you have kidney disease. 

• Best drinks for kidney health: From carrot juice to beet juice, find out what the science says about drinks to support your kidneys. 

• Lifestyle changes and kidney disease: Read about one woman’s journey with yoga, diet changes, and support groups to help boost her kidney function.

Every molecule of iron matters for people with CKD. Iron supplements give your body extra chances to absorb more iron. Your healthcare team can help you determine how much iron you need to take each day. They can also help you figure out if oral supplements or intravenous (IV) iron infusions are better for you. 

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps your body build collagen. Collagen is a protein that’s essential for keeping bone and teeth strong and healthy. It also helps wounds heal and supports the immune system. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron from plant-based foods. 

Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage. Some researchers believe that getting enough vitamin C may help support kidney health for people with CKD.

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People with CKD may lose their vitamin C stores during dialysis. They may also not get enough vitamin C in their diet because they need to follow a low-potassium diet. So there are multiple reasons people with renal (kidney) disease may need vitamin C supplements. 

While getting enough vitamin C can help you stay healthy, getting too much can lead to oxalate kidney stones. Kidney stones can lead to more kidney damage. Your healthcare team will help you determine how much vitamin C you can safely take each day. 

4. Calcium

Calcium plays many important roles in the body. But it’s best known for keeping bones strong and healthy. 

People with CKD often develop bone disease. The kidneys normally control the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body. People with CKD have trouble getting rid of extra phosphorus. When phosphorus levels get too high, the body pulls calcium out of bones to balance out the high phosphorus levels. But without calcium, bones become weak and fragile. This can lead to fractures. 

Taking calcium supplements increases calcium levels in the body. This can stop the body from pulling too much calcium from bones. 

But it’s important not to take too much calcium if you have CKD. High calcium levels can cause kidney stones and more kidney damage. Too much calcium can also cause damage to the heart, blood vessels, and lungs. Your healthcare team will help you determine how much calcium you can safely take each day, both in supplements and from food. 

5. Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps the body absorb and use calcium to build strong bones.

Many people have low vitamin D levels because it’s hard to get enough vitamin D from food. People with CKD are at even higher risk for having low vitamin D levels because kidney disease can lead to poor nutrition. 

The kidneys also convert vitamin D from food into the active form of vitamin D that helps with calcium absorption. People with CKD aren’t able to effectively convert vitamin D to its active form. 

Many people with CKD need to take vitamin D supplements to support their bone health. But like other vitamins, it’s possible to take too much vitamin D. Your healthcare team will help you determine how much vitamin D you can safely take each day.

6. Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids help provide energy and support your lungs, heart, and immune system, as well as your hormones.

Oily fish are a common source of omega-3 fatty acids. But you can also get them from plant-based sources like nuts and seeds.

Some studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can help improve kidney function in people with CKD undergoing hemodialysis. This might be due to the antioxidant activity of omega-3 fatty acids. In animal studies, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to help prevent scarring. 

One large study looked at over 6,000 people with kidney disease. Those who had higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids were less likely to develop worsening kidney disease. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are sometimes recommended to help treat complications of kidney disease, like itching or high blood pressure. But more studies are needed to understand what dosing is best for optimal kidney health. 

Nourishing foods for kidney health

You can also get vitamins to boost kidney health from the foods you eat. Nourishing food choices for people with renal disease include: 

• Fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and red grapes

• Vegetables such as red peppers, cauliflower, and cabbage 

• Legumes, including as beans, chickpeas, and lentils 

• Whole grains such as buckwheat and bulgar 

• Garlic

• Egg whites

• Lean meats

• Oily fish

It’s best to limit foods high in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Too much of these can be hard for your kidneys to filter. Experts also recommend limiting foods high in saturated fat and added sugar. 

What drinks are best for kidney health?

Drinking water is one of the best ways to keep your kidneys healthy. Other drinks that may support kidney health include: 

• Water

• Cranberry juice

• Carrot juice

• Beet juice 

• Green tea

Which supplements should you avoid if you have kidney disease?

There are many supplements marketed to support kidney health. But people with CKD should avoid supplements unless they’re recommended by their healthcare team. 

It’s important to get the right vitamins and minerals if you’re living with CKD. But it can be easy to accidentally take too many vitamins. That’s why it’s important to work with your healthcare team, including your dietitian, to make sure you get the right nutrients.

Always talk with your healthcare team before starting any new supplements or vitamins. Even seemingly harmless supplements can worsen kidney disease. Experts advise that people with CKD avoid these supplements:

• Astragalus

• Barberry

• Cat’s claw

• Goldenrod

• Horsetail

• Huperzine A 

• Java tea leaf

• Licorice root

• Pennyroyal

• Nettle

• Oregon grape root

• Parsley root

• Uva ursi

Common vitamins — like vitamins A, E, and K — can build up and reach dangerously high levels in people living with CKD. Don’t take supplements containing these vitamins unless your healthcare team tells you it’s safe. 

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Written by:

Amy Walsh, MD, MDP

Amy Walsh, MD, MDP, has worked as an emergency physician for 15 years, including care at both rural hospitals and trauma centers. She is the former Global Emergency Medicine fellowship director at Health Partners.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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