Before we dive into the question of whether to take vitamin supplements or not, it is important to give you full knowledge about what vitamins are, when does our body require them, and other essential questions that you must know. Vitamins are a must need of our bodies, and there are innumerable roles they play as nutrients, some of which include healing the wounds and boosting our immune system.
However, overdosing yourself by taking more than required supplements for a day can prove to be injurious. This is the reason people are asking: can vitamin supplements cause kidney problems? The answer to this question is Yes! Unfortunately, excess of things is never good.
Following are some of the factors that must be considered while taking vitamin supplements, because the question should not be can vitamin supplements cause kidney problems, it should be how to avoid it.
The damage caused to kidneys varies from person to person
According to some reports, supplements work differently on each individual and affect the kidneys in a different manner.
Following are the factors to determine how vitamin supplements can affect your kidneys:
- Your underlying health issues and the kind of supplements you are taking.
- A certain type of supplements causes kidney problems. A study conducted in 2012 suggests a list of fifteen herbs and supplements that are likely to cause damage to your kidney. They include creatine, chromium, licorice, vitamin C, willow bark, and Yohimbe.
What happens to your kidneys when you overdose with vitamin C supplements?
The daily amount of vitamin C an adult body requires is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg), and the upper limit can go up to 2,000 mg in a day. It is recommended to feed Vitamin C to your body by eating a varied and balanced diet. However, if you prefer taking vitamin supplements, taking too much of them will cause problems to your kidneys. To be on the safe side, consuming less than 1000 mg vitamin supplements is recommended. If you consume more Vitamin C than your body requires, it will result in you getting kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard deposits, consisting of minerals and salts that form inside of your kidneys. If the problem is left untreated, it can cause kidney infections and may fail to work properly. There are high chances for you to face extreme pain due to kidney stones. We hope that this discussion alone answers your question: can vitamin supplements cause kidney problems? But kidney stone is just one problem.
Vitamin D and kidney failure are highly interrelated
Healthy kidneys are rich in Vitamin D and play an important role in converting it into its active form. This is beneficial for your body. However, if your kidneys have already failed, a high level of Vitamin D deposits can be found there. If your kidneys are functioning properly but lack the required level of Vitamin D, it is recommended to order a supplement for yourself; after consulting your doctor. A high level of Vitamin D is always a problem: when the kidneys fail, they are reluctant to convert Vitamin D into its active form. If the level of vitamin is not under control, it will lead to uncontrolled levels of calcium and phosphorus levels in your blood. PTH level will also go uncontrolled, which can cause secondary hyperparathyroidism in which you suffer pain and your bones get weak and have a high risk of getting fractured easily. If you are a kidney patient, there are high risks of this disease attacking you. I am sure that you must have got your answer till now, can vitamin supplements cause kidney problems?
Can I take vitamin supplements after consulting my doctor?
Consulting your doctor before taking supplements can save you from facing serious health problems. Studies suggest that half of the American adults don’t consider it important to consult their doctors, before taking the supplements. Unfortunately, taking the wrong supplements can do more harm than good. Some supplements may fail to match and cope with your pre-existing condition, such as heart medications and even antibiotics can react with prescription medications, says Kali Hollingsworth, who is a medicine physician.
If you are pregnant or are already taking medicines, it would be worth mentioning it to your doctor before your start taking doses of vitamin supplements that are of the wrong combination.
I am sure that you must have got the answer to your question that can vitamin supplements cause kidney problems?