Are vitamins, supplements or herbs issue with CKD?

@bettycll thanks. I'm taking 1,000 mcg of D in my calcium, magnesium capsules and 2,000 mcg of D in my B complex and CoQ10. I was taking omega 3 1,000 mg.

@8801 Unless you are low in selenium, I would avoid the astragalus. A Brazil nut would fill the minimum. Depending on the source and plant species, there is the potential of having high levels of some heavy metals. When I was a geologist, we used astragalus princeoni for a marker for uranium (they precipitated under similar conditions). https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-963/astragalus I prefer flaxseed oil for Omega 3. Whales have enough problems without us snarfing down their krill.

@kayabbott Thanks for the heads up regarding the uncertainty of the origin of the source.

Multiple health issues make supplement choices more complex…approach with great care !

@mintercreekin Hello, I just had my first appt with a nephrologist. I took all my supplements to ask about them. She said Wow! that's a handsome face on that bottle! See the picture of eggs, milk, cheese why don't you just eat these... In other words she recommend I get my recommended daily requirement of vitamins from foods as there is no evidence or proof supplements work. A wave of relief washed over me, I don't have to take these pills!! She said they are medications and they could be hurting you. My years of belief in supplements, & herbs helping me left me like a deceptive boyfriend. Even the bottom of my vitamin bottle said, "this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." So I ask myself then why am I taking them? Because I've been duped. I wanted to believe in them but I don't anymore. I'll get my nutrition from the many variety of foods. Also, can you or anyone recommend a good site to get the recommended percentages of nutrients in fruits and veggies? Thanks for listening.

@ddon true-get our needs from foods, easier for body to process than supplements ! With CKD we do have to take care with everything we ingest…some foods, drinks (especially alcohol) and meds (NSAIDS) can be very hard on kidneys….supplements (they are not tightly regulated) often have things in them that are hard on kidneys…and CT contrast is hard on them as well—techs can give a better contrast and/or give you IV hydration after the CT. There are quite a few things we can do ourselves, including hydrating well.

@nycmusic Thanks! Good to hear. This was my wake up call. I have been hydrating 64 oz a day. Stopped nsaids 5:years ago. Occasional wine, once a month? My Dr found selenium in my Bs. Good to know body processes food better than pills. I only take thyroid meds and eye drops. I'll keep my distance from contrast dye. We do have to look at foods or anything we invest with different eyes. Thanks for all your tips, very welcome!

@ddon
My surgeon at Mayo who saved my kidney told me the same thing; that getting essential vitamins and minerals, etc. through healthy eating vs pills in a bottle is much, much better. He even told me I don't need my daily multi-vitamin; that it may do more harm than good.
I currently (1.5 yrs post-surgery) have no issues they are very concerned about and they are thrilled with my labs. I have no dietician; Ive become a voracious label-reader, though. Have cut out sugar, most processed foods and most beef, and watch my potassium (gave up bananas and potatoes), phosphorus (including anything that has "phos" in it, and calcium. Fruits and veggies don't have labels, so I have researched which has what in them. Seems to be working for me.

@gangcarotid1 that's awesome what you are doing for your kidney health. It's great to hear fruits, veggies and a quality real food diet is enough. You mentioned calcium, do you have a recommended limit? I am drinking a cup of almond or oat plant based milk 450mg calcium and 3/4 cup Greek yogurt is 200. I believe that's enough? Still finding the right amounts in foods.

@ddon
I cant handle those 'new' milks... LOL. I grew up on real, unpasteurized co's milk from our milk cows, and it was a rough transition to go to 2% later in life. I l7mit myself to 1/2 cup or so on my a.m. cereal, and about 6 oz w supper. I also eat low-fat cottage cheese, and no-sugar yogurt. I love cheese, but lotsa cholesterol there, so I try to limit myself and tend more toward the white cheeses like provolone and mozzarella in limited amounts. To be frank, my biggest challenge is being aware of how much Potassium and Phosphorus is in fruits and veggies. Was a big disappointment to discover that oranges, avocados, tomatoes needed to be limited. Its a work in progress. And I am not giving up my once or twice a year huckleberry cheesecake! Just, without sugar. I use monkfruit when I bake. I have no diabetic issues, but I don't want them either!🙃