I’m looking for advice about the use of mushroom supplements for brain health but I don’t know where to find answers about their affect on kidneys. These include lion’s mane, reishi, maybe turkey tail or chaga. I’d be grateful for any user experience or resource recommendations. I won’t be seeing my nephrologist for several months and I always bombard him with questions about what is safe to consume.
Thanks
Supplements are tricky. A lot depends on what stage CKD you are. What might be safe at stage 3 maybe toxic at stage 4. The kidneys as they deteriorate lose their ability to remove excess. The other thing and why I am not going to say yes or no to your question is that I do not have your medical history. That is why you need to ask your doctor. Do not hesitate to ask...that is their job.
Thank you, I appreciate that advice.
Never take anything - supplements, vitamins or anything over the counter without getting your nephrologist OK. We are all different as our need to take supplements or not take them. As Bassetmommer said a lot does depend on your CKD stage and what your lab work shows. It is your doctor's job to advise you. Ask him now, you shouldn't have to wait months till your next appt.
If you decide to accept the advice given to ask a doctor or nephro about supplements, maybe worth asking if he/she has qualifications to underpin such advice?. As far as I understand it, little or no relevant teaching is done at med school (but that doesn't stop prominent docs appearing to understand supplementation!).
So maybe best to see a qualified, specialised Nutritional Therapist instead.
In my mum's experience with her nephro several years ago, she asked about supplements but didn't receive much guidance except not to stay on for long!
This ^^^-- Doctors stay in their lane, and most don't venture or are willing to educated themselves beyond regular medical advice or alternative medicine. I ask my doctors, then, after educating myself, decide whether it's something I'm willing to try. In most cases, I've tried things with no adverse effects. Lion's Mane mushroom powder is one of those things, after reading about it, am going to try. I doubt most docs have educated themselves on it and because of that, will not recommend the use of it. With all of the ailments and health issues I have going on. I'm willing to roll the dice.
There's plenty good reports on Lions Mane around along with other mushrooms. Actually my main personal experience is giving it to our beloved dog for her doggy Alzheimer's and I believe it helped. No direct relevance intended!
PS we lost our beloved 4m ago but she was 18+.
My Naturopath is always recommending something or other, supplement wise.
Her knowledge of CKD has increased since my diagnosis (I've been a patient for over 25 years!), but her recommendations are not always good ones. I always run things by my doctor before I take anything, she is a well respected Naturopath, but she's no doctor!
My Neph is pretty savvy when it comes to alt treatments, so I run everything by her. I have found a few Chinese medicinal herbs, that my Neph approved to try that I believe have helped, I found them on another CKD support board, my Naturopath was not aware of them, so she doesn't know everything!
Always ask your doctor before taking anything!
I have to add that I cook with those mushrooms fairly regularly, but I am sure in supplementation you'd be getting much higher concentrations.
Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you. 
I just read on medimushrooms.com that Reishi, Lions Mane and Cordyceps are beneficial to aid in kidney function. I;ve been taking Lion's Maine for a month now. As for asking nephrologists, mine always said we are not schooled in supplements, and dont know anything about them (in other words, dont ask me again)
Interesting! I’m not surprised that most nephrologists, as well as even primary care doctors are not schooled in supplements. Thank you
Since our kidneys are struggling to process even healthy food, why would you want to stress it even further with questionable supplements? Be kind to yourself and your kidneys. Just as others on this site recommended, ask your nephologist. And, shame on them if they can't advise you on this. Time to find a doctor who can. Best to you.
Thank you. My interest in Lion’s mane is for brain health, and as I get older, I need to consider how to best support my aging brain. I have my ckd under control and my nephrologist doesn’t want to see me until mid July. I will be asking him these and more questions then. I appreciate everyone’s responses.
Best ways to improve brain health is to learn a new language, learn to play music, or get involved with word games and puzzles. All of these as well as others have been proven by research to keep the mind sharp. Supplements haven't
In general always a No on supplement especially the more exotic like mushrooms. If you are over 50 join AARP and play their brain building games designed to keep the mind sharpe. From the NKF on supplements
Which herbal supplements should I avoid if I have kidney disease?
Herbal supplements that are especially risky for patients with any stage of kidney disease, who are on dialysis or who have a kidney transplant include:
Astragalus, Barberry, Cat's Claw, Apium Graveolens, Creatine, Goldenrod, Horsetail, Huperzinea, Java Tea Leaf, Licorice Root, Nettle, Stinging Nettle, Oregon Grape Root,Parsley Root, Pennyroyal, Ruta Graveolens, Uva Ursi, and Yohimbe
What should I tell my doctor, dietitian or other healthcare provider?
In general, it is not recommended for patients with kidney disease to use herbal supplements. If you choose to take one, always tell your doctor, dietitian, or other health care provider. Always update the use of herbal supplements at your visits to your healthcare provider as a medication change.
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