What is the purpose of a renal vitamin for kidney dialysis patients?
People on dialysis take a special renal vitamin preparation that contains B vitamins with extra folic acid and a limited amount of vitamin C. There are several reasons why dialysis patients take renal vitamins:
- to replace vitamins removed during each dialysis treatment
- the dialysis diet is inadequate in vitamins due to limits on fruits, vegetables and foods like milk, whole grains, nuts seeds and legumes
- a limited variety of foods and poor appetite contributes to nutrient deficiencies
- adequate amounts of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 are required to make red blood cells and prevent anemia
- vitamin deficiencies increase risk for infection
Examples of renal vitamins are Dialyvite®, Nephrocaps®, Nephrovite®, Nephplex®, and Renaltab®. Some brands require a prescription and others are available over the counter. Kidney doctors or renal dietitians usually make recommendations on which renal vitamin to take.
Additional Kidney Diet Resources
Visit DaVita.com and explore these diet and nutrition resources:
DaVita Kidney-Friendly Recipes
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician and dietitian regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions.
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