Which Vitamin is Good for Proteinuria?
Vitamin D, specifically its active forms like calcitriol and paricalcitrol, shows promise in reducing proteinuria, particularly in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Multiple studies indicate that vitamin D supplementation or treatment with active vitamin D analogs can lower proteinuria or albuminuria levels.
Several research papers and clinical trials support the beneficial effects of vitamin D on proteinuria:
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Reduction of Proteinuria: Studies show that active forms of vitamin D, such as calcitriol and paricalcitrol, decrease albuminuria rates in patients with type 2 diabetes. One study demonstrated that active vitamin D analog treatment led to proteinuria reduction in a significantly higher number of patients compared to controls. [See: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3810568/, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3810088/, https://journals.lww.com/cjasn/fulltext/2009/09000/vitamin_d,_proteinuria,_diabetic_nephropathy,_and.19.aspx]
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Diabetic Nephropathy: Vitamin D deficiency may worsen proteinuria in patients with DN. Correcting this deficiency may help lower proteinuria levels. [See: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5106877/] A study by Bonakdaran et al. observed a significant reduction in proteinuria after eight weeks of calcitriol treatment in diabetic patients with vitamin D deficiency. [See: References provided in the prompt]
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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D can reduce proteinuria or albuminuria in CKD patients, even when other factors like the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are involved. Low-dose vitamin D supplementation may also prove beneficial. [See: https://www.healio.com/news/nephrology/20191223/vitamin-d-supplementation-linked-with-reduced-proteinuria-in-patients-with-ckd, https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfu404]
Important Note: This information should not be interpreted as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any vitamin supplements, especially if you have existing health conditions like kidney disease or diabetes.
