Your kidneys, though they measure just 4 to 6 inches in length, play a big role in your general health. For example, they filter your blood to remove contaminants and also help with the absorption of various amino acids and nutrients. Several specific vitamins can help improve your kidneys' functioning. However, if you're worried about your kidney health or suffer from a kidney disease, don't attempt to self-treat the situation with self-prescribed supplements. Always talk to your doctor before adding new dietary supplements to your daily regimen.
Vitamin E
Diabetics find that the disease affects several organs in their body, including the heart and kidneys. In fact, diabetes can sometimes lead to kidney failure, also known as renal failure. New York University's Langone Medical Center notes that vitamin E supplementation might help protect your kidneys from damage if you suffer from diabetes.
Folic Acid
Folic acid, a type of water-soluble B vitamin, has specific benefits for people with kidney disease. The vitamin can work alongside your struggling kidneys to help them regulate homocysteine, a type of waste created during the digestive process that weakened kidneys often have trouble handling alone. Additionally, the American Association of Kidney Patients reports that kidneys play a vital role in the creation of red blood cells -- they produce the hormones that tell your bone marrow to produce the right cells -- and folic acid and other B vitamins can ensure proper function of your kidneys that leads to this hormone production.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps enhance your kidneys' ability to reabsorb calcium naturally filtered by the kidneys. Additionally, while healthy kidneys help metabolize and produce usable forms of this vitamin, weak or diseased kidneys often struggle on their own. Thus, vitamin D supplementation can provide the boost needed for a healthier kidney environment. For this reason, a 2005 research study in the "Seminars in Dialysis" medical journal concluded that vitamin D supplementation "has important benefits for both healthy (people), as well as (people) suffering from chronic kidney disease."
Vitamin B6
Kidney stones arise when calcium oxalate crystals build up in your kidneys. When your kidneys and urinary tract try to get rid of these stones, the process can be drawn out and painful. Taking vitamin B6 might help cut your risks of contracting kidney stones by a third, reports the Linus Pauling Institute, in part by potentially reducing the blood levels of oxalates.
References
- NYU Langone Medical Center; "Complications of Diabetes"; February 2011
- MedlinePlus; "Folic Acid"; June 2011
- American Association of Kidney Patients; "Importance of B Vitamins"; Chuck Blazer; January 2004
- Linus Pauling Institute; "Vitamin D"; Jane Higdon; March 2004
- "Seminars in Dialysis"; "Vitamin D for Health and in Chronic Kidney Disease"; M.F. Holick; July 2005
- Linus Pauling Institute; "Vitamin B6"; Jane Higdon; February 2005
