This article alone should not be taken as health advice. Speak to your doctor about the best plan for your personal wellbeing.
Your kidneys play a crucial role in your overall wellbeing by filtering waste and balancing fluids—so prioritizing your kidney health is highly important if you want to live a long, healthy life. There are several lifestyle factors that can damage your kidneys, from poor diet to dehydration. But one commonly overlooked issue is improper or excessive use of certain supplements. While supplements can be helpful when it comes to filling nutrient gaps left by the foods you eat (or don’t eat), it’s important to be mindful of what products you’re putting into your body, as some can come with health and safety risks, particularly when it comes to your kidney.
We spoke to pain management doctor Sean Ormond and dietitian Krutika Nanavati to learn about a few common supplement mistakes that could be bad news for your kidneys in the long run. From dangerous combos to protein powder overkill, find their warnings below.
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1. Combining Vitamins E and K
Vitamin E and Vitamin K are both important to your overall health. Vitamin K helps keep your bones strong and plays an important role in blood clotting, which helps reduce bleeding. Meanwhile, Vitamin E is crucial to your vision, reproductive health, and brain health. When your body receives these nutrients directly from the food you eat, they can help support your wellbeing. However, according to Dr. Ormand, you should avoid combining high doses of these vitamins in the form of supplements.
"Vitamin E and vitamin K are both fat-soluble vitamins that can interact with each other," he explains.
"Taking high doses of both vitamins together can increase the risk of blood clots." Yikes! As one study notes, "Given both nutrients' critical involvement in coagulation, in extreme cases, this interaction can result in abnormal blood clotting."
Vitamin E has anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties, which can increase the risk of bleeding. Vitamin K plays a key role in blood clotting, so high doses of Vitamin K could counteract the effects of Vitamin E or vice versa. If taken together in large amounts, they could disrupt the delicate balance needed for proper blood clotting issues. Additionally, both vitamins have a role in the vascular system and could indirectly affect kidney function when consumed in excess.
2. High Doses of Vitamin C
While Vitamin C is celebrated for its immune-boosting properties and overall health benefits, it's essential to exercise caution with dosage. Nanavati warns, "While Vitamin C is vital for health, excessive amounts (over 2,000 mg/day) can lead to the formation of kidney stones, particularly in individuals with preexisting kidney conditions."
Kidney stones, notorious for their excruciating pain and potential complications, can obstruct urinary pathways, leading to infections and kidney damage. Luckily, if you stick to the recommended dosages and have otherwise healthy kidneys, you should be just fine.
3. Excessive Intake of Protein Supplements
Protein supplements are popular among fitness enthusiasts and individuals seeking to build muscle or support athletic performance. However, excessive protein intake, particularly from supplements, can have adverse effects on your health—including your kidneys. Nanavati explains, "High levels of protein intake can exacerbate kidney damage in individuals with existing kidney issues by increasing the kidneys' workload." The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste products from protein metabolism, and excessive protein intake can strain this filtering process, potentially leading to kidney damage over time.
It's important to emphasize that more research is needed to fully understand the impact of excessive protein intake on kidney health. Healthy individuals are unlikely to experience adverse effects, but those with preexisting kidney conditions should exercise caution and consult with a healthcare professional before significantly increasing their protein intake, especially through supplements.
