Vitamins and Minerals in Kidney Disease

Vitamins and minerals are important for everyone's good health. Now that you are on dialysis, you will need to know which vitamins and minerals you can use in the form of supplements.

What are vitamins and minerals?

Vitamins and minerals are substances needed by your body to help carry out special functions. They help your body use the foods you eat. They are needed to make energy, promote growth and repair and replace many types of body tissues. Kidney disease changes your body's need for certain vitamins and minerals.

Will I need to take vitamin and mineral supplements?

Almost all vitamins and minerals come from the foods you eat. Your body does not make these substances. Healthy people who can eat foods from all the food groups eat a variety of meats, grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Your kidney diet limits some food groups, and therefore, you may not be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need each day. It may be important for you to take certain amounts of some vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements.

Why do I need different amounts of vitamins and minerals?

Kidney disease changes your need for some nutrients. Some of the reasons are listed below:

• The poisons that build up in your body each day can change the way your body uses vitamins and minerals.
• Some of the medicines you take can also change the way your body uses certain vitamins and minerals.
• Dialysis causes some vitamins to be lost during treatment.
• Following a CKD diet can mean you miss certain vitamins and minerals from some food groups.
• Some days you may not feel well enough to eat a healthy diet. You may not get enough vitamins and minerals that day.
• When you have kidney disease, certain substances cannot be made by your kidneys anymore. Your need for certain vitamins and minerals changes.
• Certain vitamins and minerals are affected by the loss of kidney function.

What supplements will I need to take?

Your doctor will probably want you to take vitamin C and a group of vitamins called B complex. Sometimes, your doctor may need to write a prescription for these.

You may also need to take an iron pill or have iron given during your haemodialysis treatment if you are taking EPO. You should only take iron if your doctor orders it for you.

You will also take a calcium tablet used to bind the phosphorous from your food. This serves to give you the extra calcium your body needs.

How does my body use these vitamins and minerals?

Vitamin C is used to keep many different types of tissue healthy. It also helps wounds and bruises heal faster and may help prevent infections.

B complex vitamins are grouped together, but each has a different job to do. One of the important functions of vitamin B₆, B₁₂ and folic acid is to work together with EPO and iron to prevent anaemia.

Additional B vitamins, called thiamine, riboflavin, panthothenic acid and niacin, can also be given as a supplement. These vitamins help to change the foods you eat into energy your body can use.

Calcium along with vitamin D helps to keep your bones healthy. Vitamin D can be given in a special pill form called vitamin D₃. This vitamin can also be given during your haemodialysis treatment so you do not have to take it in a pill form. Either form has to be ordered by your doctor.

Talk with your doctor or dietician before taking any vitamins that are not ordered for you.

Is it safe to use herbal remedies?

Very little is actually known about these remedies. Some of them may actually be harmful to dialysis patients. Always speak to your doctor before using any herbal remedies, over-the-counter-medicines, or supplements.

What if I have more questions?

If you have more questions, be sure to speak to your kidney doctor or dietician. They can help you learn about your vitamins and mineral supplements. Your social worker may be able to answer questions about how to pay for your supplements.

See also in this A-Z guide:

• Nutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease
• Nutrition and Transplantation
• What You Should Know About Good Nutrition