Question about supplements

[RVerJ]

I've taken a variety of supplements my whole adult life. For medications, I take Xarelto for a blood clotting disorder (Leiden V) and a statin for cholesterol. Are there any supplements that might cause kidney damage? Thanks!

[missdc]

There are a lot of supplements that can cause kidney (or liver!) damage and they don't have to tell you on the packaging because they're not regulated by the FDA. My doctor only has me taking fish oil and even then, it can have too much phosphorus so if it comes up in blood work, you have to stop taking it. Please don't take anything without talking to your kidney doctor. (Not primary care, they don't know as much.)

[RVerJ in reply to missdc]

I have been lazy about updating my supplement list. I'm doing it today! Thank you.

[missdc in reply to RVerJ]

Any little thing we do can make a big difference! I am glad it helped

[userotc in reply to missdc]

Have you seen any scientific evidence confirming kidney damage with supplements?

I've often read the comments that "some may damage...", "ask your physician"......eg NKF. But no evidence is ever supplied.

The paper below is the only report of damage that I can recall and it's only for specific supplements with others eg probiotics, beneficial.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

Our experience with medics eg my mum's nephro, is that they don't know so just say avoid or limit(!). In view of the limited evidence indicated above and the fact they're untrained & unqualified in this area, that's no surprise to me.

[missdc in reply to userotc]

It depends on the supplement. Of course, there are papers, but it's going to be a specific supplement, not just the idea of supplements as the topic!

Here is a list of supplements that can harm your kidneys. I don't think the kidney foundation would use pseudo-science for this list:kidney.org/kidney-topics/he...

Here are some specific supplements:

-Aristolochic acid (found in some traditional Chinese medicines): Strongly linked to kidney damage and cancer.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl....

-Licorice root: In large amounts, it can lead to low potassium levels and hypertension, damaging the kidneys.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

-Cat’s Claw and St. John’s Wort: May interfere with medications and increase kidney toxicity risk.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

[missdc in reply to missdc]

I've gone ahead and done some more research here for some of the things on the NKF list:

Nettle, Stinging Nettle

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

Barberry

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

Goldenrod

mountsinai.org/health-libra...

Yohimbine

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/847...

It's kind of hard to find this information, and I write about health topics for a living. But please do your research for the specific supplement and choose a hospital or medical paper website.

[missdc in reply to missdc]

Also some of these supplements have phosphorus, magnesium and other minerals that can cause kidney injury in people with CKD because our bodies can't process it

[userotc in reply to missdc]

I totally agree that any supplements should be researched before consideration by CKD patients. Rather than taking the advice of untrained & unqualified medics, including nephros. That's what we've done for my mum.The same applies to prescription drugs - but more so, according to the scientific evidence. Fortunately that's not been an issue for mum as she is drug-free after 14y at ckd3 🤞🤞

Thanks for the links you've sent. A quick check of those that apply to ckd confirms that there's a limited number of specific supplements that may cause damage eg AA as per my earlier link and one of yours. But I believe the more common ones are likely ok.

I realise some supplements contain the minerals you list. But, unless a CKD patient has poor levels, I don't think it's a problem. Mum's serum levels are all currently ~20-50% through-normal 🤞so her Nutritional Therapy protocol doesn't limit them whereas I suspect an RD protocol probably would. Agree?

[RVerJ]

Very helpful, thanks so much!

[RVerJ]

When I was diagnosed with this problem, I immediately thought Xarelto was to blame, but my Kidney Doc said no, he didn't think so...

[userotc in reply to RVerJ]

Well the 1st link below indicates a possibility, as an example. Googling "Xarelto kidney damage" shows others and AI comments (imo medics are in danger of being replaced for diagnoses!).

And, of course, statins can also cause kidney damage. I've shown one link below but have others including studies.

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[RVerJ in reply to userotc]

You blew my mind. (Again)