Dietary supplements are substances taken to improve health or wellness by providing adequate amounts of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and many other ingredients needed by the body.
However, they cannot replace foods that are critical to a healthy eating routine.
Supplements come in the form of pills, capsules, powders, drinks and foods.
According to experts, supplements are not necessarily intended to cure diseases or health conditions unless they are approved by the country’s Food Drug Administration for a specific health claim.
The United States National Center for Biotechnical Information, National Library of Medicine, notes that dietary supplements often contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids, enzymes and other ingredients and, when approved, offer health benefits to the body. .
However, recent research has shown a clear link between excessive or uncontrolled intake of these supplements and chronic kidney diseases and damage.
According to the World Health Organization, chronic kidney disease is said to affect at least 10 to 15 percent of the world’s population in recent years.
Coupled with the epidemics of hypertension and diabetes, the number of patients with chronic kidney disease has increased rapidly in recent years, significantly affecting the global health burden.
Due to the high prevalence, morbidity rates, and medical costs of CKD, prevention and optimal management of the disease is an important public health issue.
However, there is interest in the effect of nutrition or dietary supplements on kidney disease, as there is no effective kidney-targeting drug that can prevent the progression of CKD other than treating underlying medical conditions such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia and monitoring for complications. is increasing.
Diets such as the protein-restricted diet, Mediterranean diet, and plant-based diets are currently being investigated for their potential role in delaying or complicating CKD progression.
According to the National Center for Biotechnological Research, there are thousands of nutritional supplements on the market today, including vitamins and minerals, plant ingredients and extracts, proteins and amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics and prebiotics.
Some studies have shown that dietary supplements can compensate for nutrient deficits caused by an unbalanced diet, which may help extend lifespan and provide some benefits against diseases, but evidence of their direct effects is still insufficient.
However, nutritionists and dietitians have warned that they should only be consumed if recommended by registered experts and should not be used as a substitute for nutrients derived from real food.
According to research by NCBR and its institute, the prevalence of dietary supplement use has increased significantly in the last decade, and the global market size of nutritional supplements was found to be approximately US$121 billion in 2018.
The use of nutritional supplements in modern society is not limited to the middle-aged and elderly, and the interest in nutritional supplements is also increasing among young people, especially in Nigeria, where it is fancy to take these supplements for skin problems. benefits.
This is because most dietary supplements are not classified as drugs by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control and are readily available over the counter with unlimited exposure to advertising.
It is true that getting the right amount of nutrients is an important part of one’s diet and is vital to one’s health. This is because nutrients provide your body with what it needs to function properly on a daily basis. They increase energy, improve muscle and body tissue, and even help fight infections.
Webmd.com, an online health resource, found in an article on the subject that over-the-counter medications, commonly prescribed medications, and even some nutritional supplements can negatively affect the kidneys and cause their function to decline.
It was stated that this could lead to kidney damage, and if the person already has any kidney problems, this situation could worsen.
Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist and Founder of Geeky Nutritionist Consulting, Uju onuorah, while speaking to our correspondent, stated that many studies have highlighted the potential link between excessive intake of dietary supplements and kidney damage.
“Some supplements, especially those containing certain herbs, may pose a risk for people with chronic kidney disease. These supplements may exacerbate kidney damage or lead to kidney dysfunction. Additionally, long-term and excessive use of some nutritional supplements has been associated with potential nephrotoxicity and kidney dysfunction.” However, there are some comprehensive studies on whether dietary supplements can cause kidney disease.
“It is important for individuals to exercise caution when considering using nutritional supplements, especially if they have pre-existing kidney conditions such as chronic kidney disease.
“It is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen to ensure the safety of supplements and their suitability for an individual’s specific health condition and needs. The intake of dietary supplements that are not medically prescribed should be avoided.
Another nutritionist living in the United Kingdom, Dr. Samuel Olayemi stated that if there is any kidney disease, a person may need to avoid certain vitamins and minerals; This includes some nutritional supplements.
According to him, some of these vitamins are vitamins A, E and K.
“These vitamins are more likely to accumulate in your body and can cause harm if you take too much. Over time, they can cause dizziness, nausea, and even death. You should only take these vitamins when your healthcare provider gives you a prescription for them. There are also some concerns about vitamin C.”
“Although some people need to take low doses of vitamin C, large doses can cause oxalate buildup in people with kidney disease. Oxalate can remain in bones and soft tissue, causing pain and other problems over time,” he explained.
He also stated that chronic kidney disease changes a person’s need for some nutrients, and that waste products that accumulate in the body every day can change the way the body uses vitamins and minerals.
Olayemi added: “Some medications you take may change the way your body uses certain vitamins and minerals. If you are on dialysis, some vitamins are lost during dialysis treatment. Following a special diet for chronic kidney disease may mean you are missing some vitamins and minerals from foods.”
“On days when you do not feel well enough to eat regularly, you may not get enough daily vitamins and minerals. Since everyone is different, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any new supplement or vitamin regimen.
“You’ll want to discuss with them any medications you’re currently taking, any conditions or diseases you currently have, and your current lifestyle. You may also want to disclose a family history of kidney disease, if any, and other important factors.”
“Even if your kidneys are healthy or you think they are, it’s important to discuss with your doctor which supplements are right for your diet.”
He also stressed that NAFDAC should stop the over-the-counter sale of some supplements.
Ms. Omawunmi Amao, another nutritionist and team leader at a Rivers State-based organization, noted that some dietary kidney supplements may have adverse effects on the kidneys, which are important organs for filtering waste products from the blood and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. body.
He noted that studies show that high doses of vitamin C may increase the risk of kidney stones.
According to him, vitamin C can combine with calcium to convert it into oxalate, a substance that can form kidney stones.
The nutritionist also noted that creatine supplements, a popular nutritional supplement used by athletes to increase muscle strength and performance, can cause kidney damage and the risk of kidney stones.
Amao stated that this is because creatine can increase the production of waste products in the body, which can overload the kidneys.
Speaking further, he said: “Some herbal supplements have been associated with kidney damage and kidney failure. This is because these supplements may contain substances that are toxic to the kidneys or interfere with kidney function.
“Iron is an essential mineral for the body, but excessive iron supplementation can cause iron overload in the body, which can damage the kidneys. This is because the kidneys are responsible for filtering and regulating iron levels in the blood.
“Protein supplements are widely used by athletes and bodybuilders to increase muscle mass and improve performance. However, high doses of protein supplements can increase the workload on the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage over time.”
Amao noted that since everyone is different, it is important for individuals considering using supplements to first meet with a certified nutritionist and dietitian.
“Nutritionists are the only ones who can determine which supplements, vitamins, and medications are truly safe for you.
“Your doctor will also perform a variety of tests, such as a physical exam, urine test, and blood test, to determine whether your dietary supplement regimen is working for you. These tests also help your doctor monitor your kidney function, which can help adjust your medications as needed,” she said.