Why Take My Vitamins?

Tired all the time? Lacking energy? You may not be meeting your body’s requirements for vitamins and minerals. Dialysis patients are at a higher risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies than the general population. This is because of diet restrictions as well as the actual dialysis treatment itself. Because your diet is restricted, you may not be able to replenish your vitamins and minerals the way you used to. Additionally, the dialysis treatment will lower the amounts of vitamins and minerals in your body.

Vitamins and minerals are important because they contribute to such biological functions as supporting your metabolism, helping to protect against stress and disease, enhancing iron absorption, and aiding in red blood cell development. They can also help to improve taste acuity, wound healing and sexual function.

NephPlex^® Rx , Vital-D Rx™ and RenaPlex^® can help to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Both products are specifically formulated to meet the needs of the renal patient. Taking generic, over-the-counter vitamins and minerals should be avoided because they may contain amounts that are not good for your health. Also watch out for preparations that contain vitamin A and vitamin E. Generally, you will receive enough of these vitamins through your diet. Keep in mind that too much vitamin C may also be harmful to your health.

Please refer to the chart below which shows the vitamin and mineral requirements for dialysis patients and remember to always consult your doctor or dietitian prior to purchasing any multivitamin.

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Vitamins/Mineral	Recommended amount for dialysis patients	NephPlex^® Rx (prescription only)	Vital-D Rx™ (prescription only)	RenaPlex^®(mail order only)
Thiamine (B₁)	1.0 mg - 5.0 mg	1.5 mg	1.5 mg	1.5 mg
Riboflavin (B₂)	1.2 mg- 1.7 mg	1.7 mg	1.7 mg	1.7 mg
Niacin (B₃)	13 mg - 20 mg	20 mg	20 mg	20 mg
Pantothenic Acid (B₅)	4 mg - 10 mg	10 mg	10 mg	10 mg
Pyridoxine (B₆)	10 mg	10 mg	10 mg	10 mg
Biotin (B₇)	30 mcg - 300 mcg	300 mcg	300 mcg	300 mcg
Folic Acid (B₉)	.8 mg - 1.0 mg	1 mg	1 mg	.8 mg
Cobalamin (B₁₂)	2 mcg - 6 mcg	6 mcg	6 mcg	6 mcg
Vitamin A	0	0	0	0
Vitamin C	60 mg - 100 mg	60 mg	60 mg	60 mg
Vitamin D₃	50,000 IU/month*	0	1750 IU	0
Vitamin E	0	0	0	0
Vitamin K	0	0	0	0
Zinc	20 mg	12.5 mg	12.5 mg	12.5 mg

*KDOQI recommends 50,00 IU/month for CKD patients stages 3 and 4; for ESRD patients, the recommended amount has not been set.

References:

Chazot, C. and Kopple, J.: "Vitamin Metabolism and Requirements in Renal Disease and Renal Failure", Kopple, J., Massry, S., (eds): Nutritional Management of Kidney Disease, Baltimore, MD, Williams & Wilkins, 1997, p. 424.

Rocco, M., Makoff, R.:"Appropriate Vitamin Therapy for Dialysis Patients", Seminars in Dialysis, Vol. 10, No. 5, Sept. 1997, p. 274.

White, J., Heron, B.:"Can an Adequate Amount of Zinc Help Make Your Food Taste Better?", For Patients Only Magazine, May/June 2001.

© 2009 NEPHRO-TECH, INC.