The Multi-Vitamin Truth About Renal Disease

Let’s face it. Your body behaves differently when your kidneys are fully functioning. You have to make changes to your diet to compensate. Like limiting the amount of sodium, potassium, phosphorus and protein you get from food.

So why not take an over-the-counter multi-vitamin to make up the difference? For the average person, that’s sound advice. But when you have renal disease, the typical multi-vitamin only makes the side effects of poor kidney function worse.

The truth: Most over-the-counter multi-vitamins contain amounts of vitamins A, E and K higher than your kidneys can handle. Get too much of these vitamins in your blood, and it could further damage the remaining kidney function you have left. Most multi-vitamins are also short on water-soluble vitamins, which renal patients tend to need more of than the average person.

Renal vitamins + diet

Don’t count on a multi-vitamin to protect your health when you have renal disease. Take the vitamins and medications your doctor prescribes to keep your kidneys functioning. 

If you’re having trouble remembering to take your medications:

• Use a pill box to organize your vitamins and medications for each day
• Create a calendar to keep track
• Use a mobile app, spreadsheet, or online resource to keep a record of when you take your medications and vitamins
• Ask a family member, friend or caregiver to help you
• Take medications at the same time every day when possible

You can also protect your health and remaining kidney function by following a Renal-Friendly diet. Our Renal-Friendly menu includes 19 customized meals made from fresh ingredients, and low in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein to protect your health.

You hungry? The top 3 best sellers include:

• Eggplant Parmigiana and Polenta with Spinach & Roasted Peppers
• Spinach Mushroom Lasagna with Garlic Green Beans
• Vegetable Caponata with Orzo & Spinach