Condition
Kidney Health
Kidney health describes how well your kidneys filter waste, balance fluids, and keep blood pressure and minerals in check, work that chronic kidney disease can quietly wear down. Among supplements, omega-3s, resveratrol, and sodium bicarbonate have moderate evidence, and in resveratrol studies blood urea nitrogen went down, while a review of intravenous glutamine found no clear difference in deaths. Those resveratrol effects were small, and evidence for the rest is thinner.
Sources: PMID 39447274
- Supplements studied
- 11
- Medicines and peptides
- 1
- Graded outcomes
- 6
- Trials
- 12
- People studied
- 28,140
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Small Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 894 people | |||
| Kidney Function | Improves (the measure goes up) | 2 studies | 135 people | |||
Studies that measured kidney function | ||||||
| Serum Albumin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 516 people | ||||
| Uric Acid | Improves (the measure goes down) | 353 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney Function No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 32 people | |||
Studies that measured kidney function | ||||||
| Weight | Improves (the measure goes down) | 12 studies | 32 people | |||
Studies that measured weight
| ||||||
| Liver Enzymes | Changes; see studies | 32 people | ||||
Glutamine
- All-Cause Mortality
- Ammonia: changes; see studies
- Creatinine: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Cause Mortality No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 5,059 people | |||
Studies that measured all-cause mortality | ||||||
| Ammonia | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 30 people | |||
Studies that measured ammonia | ||||||
| Creatinine | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 30 people | |||
Studies that measured creatinine | ||||||
| Hematocrit | Improves (the measure goes up) | 30 people | ||||
| Kidney Function | Improves (the measure goes up) | 30 people | ||||
| Liver Enzymes | Changes; see studies | 30 people | ||||
| Urea | Improves (the measure goes up) | 30 people | ||||
| White Blood Cell Count | Improves (the measure goes up) | 30 people | ||||
Creatine
- Bilirubin
- Kidney Function: improves
- Creatinine: improves
Conjugated Linoleic Acid
- Kidney Function
- Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney Function No effect | NoneNo effect | 20 people | ||||
| Liver Enzymes | Changes; see studies | 2 studies | 20 people | |||
Vitamin C
- Uric Acid: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uric Acid | Improves (the measure goes down) | 2 studies | 1,013 people | |||
Dandelion
- Diuresis: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diuresis | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 17 people | |||
Studies that measured diuresis | ||||||
N-Acetylcysteine
- Kidney Function: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney Function | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 21,580 people | |||
Reishi
- Proteinuria: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proteinuria | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 14 people | |||
Cat's whiskers
- Diuresis: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diuresis | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 80 people | |||
Astragalus
- Diuresis: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diuresis | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 12 people | |||
Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context
Bacitracin
- Systemic Nephrotoxicity: worsens
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systemic Nephrotoxicity SAFETY CONCERN: Systemic administration causes severe nephrotoxicity - reason for topical-only use restriction. Parenteral use abandoned. Excreted 87% renally within 6 hours. Topical absorption negligible. | Worsens (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 4 studies |
Key findings
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)Improves (the measure goes down)
- Kidney Function
- All-Cause Mortality
The Kidney Health & Function Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids2–4 g EPA+DHA daily
- Resveratrol100–500 mg daily
Shop the evidence-backed picks
The supplement graded A or B for Kidney Health. Each opens third-party tested products for that supplement.
- Grade B
Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure
Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- A classic antibiotic reimagined: Rationally designed bacitracin variants exhibit potent activity against vancomycin-resistant pathogens
- Does creatine supplementation improve glycemic control and insulin resistance in healthy and diabetic patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Resveratrol: A Potential Therapeutic Natural Polyphenol for Neurodegenerative Diseases Associated with Mitochondrial Dysfunction
- Resveratrol: An Overview of Clinical Trials in Human Cancer Prevention and Treatment
- Resveratrol and Its Analogs: Potent Agents to Reverse Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Tumors
- Resveratrol and Sirtuins: A Story of Living Long Healthy Life
- Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol in Alzheimer's Disease: A Review of the Evidence
- Resveratrol as a Chemopreventive Agent: A Promising Molecule for Fighting Cancer
- Resveratrol and Health - A Comprehensive Review of Human Clinical Trials
- Resveratrol: A Double-Edged Sword in Health Benefits
- Resveratrol and Caloric Restriction: The Role of Sirtuins in Aging and Age-Related Diseases
- The Multitarget Activity of Natural Bioactive Compounds in Parkinson's Disease: Role of Resveratrol
- Resveratrol: A New Treatment for Diseases Associated with Oxidative Stress
- Chromium in PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Resveratrol-Based Compounds and Neurodegeneration: Recent Insight in Multitarget Neuroprotection
- An Overview of the Anticancer Properties of Resveratrol
- Chromium Supplementation and Metabolic Diseases: Evidence from Clinical Trials
- Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Body Composition: A Systematic Review
- Safety of Chromium Supplementation: Evidence from Clinical Studies
- An Update on Resveratrol and Diabetes: From Metabolism to Clinical Trial Results
- Routine Use of Topical Bacitracin to Prevent Sternal Wound Infections After Cardiac Surgery
- Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism and Lipids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Chromium and Insulin Sensitivity: A Review of Mechanisms
- Chromium Supplementation in Depression and Mood Disorders: A Review
- Chromium Supplementation and Glycemic Control in Diabetes: An Updated Review
- Chromium Picolinate in Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
- Chromium Effects on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis
- Complications associated with bacitracin powder in surgical wounds
- Resveratrol Blunts the Positive Effects of Exercise Training on Cardiovascular Health in Aged Men
- Role of creatine supplementation on exercise-induced cardiovascular function and oxidative stress
- Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players
- Does creatine supplementation improve the plasma lipid profile in healthy male subjects undergoing aerobic training
- Effects of creatine supplementation on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in sedentary healthy males undergoing aerobic training
- Topical triple-antibiotic ointment as a novel therapeutic choice in wound management and infection prevention: a practical perspective
- Effects of acute chromium supplementation on postprandial metabolism in healthy young men
- Creatine supplementation increases glycogen storage but not GLUT-4 expression in human skeletal muscle
- Creatine supplementation affects glucose homeostasis but not insulin secretion in humans
- Metal binding and structure-activity relationship of the metalloantibiotic peptide bacitracin.
- Creatine supplementation and health variables: a retrospective study
- Effect of oral creatine supplementation on human muscle GLUT4 protein content after immobilization
- Role of submaximal exercise in promoting creatine and glycogen accumulation in human skeletal muscle
- Topical antimicrobial prophylaxis in minor wounds
- Chemotherapy for giardiasis: randomized clinical trial of bacitracin, bacitracin zinc, and a combination of bacitracin zinc with neomycin.
- Comparison of topical antibiotic ointments, a wound protectant, and antiseptics for the treatment of human blister wounds contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus
- Dissociation of the antimicrobial activity of bacitracin USP from its renovascular effects.
- Bacitracin: a unique topical antibiotic sensitizer
- The effects of inorganic chromium and brewer's yeast on glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, and plasma chromium in elderly subjects
- Effects of resistance training and chromium picolinate on body composition and skeletal muscle in older men
- Influence of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and immune changes after an ultramarathon
- Mechanism of action of bacitracin: complexation with metal ion and C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphate
- Bacitracin nephropathy: report of a case of acute renal failure and death.
- The effect of bacitracin on renal function.
- BACITRACIN; new effective antibiotic agent.
- The effect of Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra on CD25 expression in humans: a pilot study
- Aqueous extract of Astragali Radix induces human natriuresis through enhancement of renal response to atrial natriuretic peptide
- Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
- Chinese Herb Astragalus membranaceus Enhances Recovery of Hemorrhagic Stroke: Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study
- Treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy with the herb Astragalus membranaceus
- A Natural Astragalus-Based Nutritional Supplement Lengthens Telomeres in a Middle-Aged Population: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
- Efficacy of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huang Qi) for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.
- On the effects of a plant extract of Orthosiphon stamineus on sebum-related skin imperfections
- Studies on the individual and combined diuretic effects of four Vietnamese traditional herbal remedies (Zea mays, Imperata cylindrica, Plantago major and Orthosiphon stamineus)
- Effects of chromium supplementation on glycogen synthesis after high-intensity exercise
- Effects of short-term chromium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and body composition in overweight children: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron status
- Effect of resistance training with or without chromium picolinate supplementation on glucose metabolism in older men and women
- A pilot study of chromium picolinate for weight loss
- Chromium supplementation and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- The Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Endocrine Profiles, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Chromium picolinate improves insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome
- The effect of chromium intake on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effect of chromium supplementation on hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 as risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.
- Chromium Supplementation and the Effects on Metabolic Status in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes
- Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with type 2 diabetes in a Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Effects of chromium brewer's yeast supplementation on body mass, blood carbohydrates, and lipids and minerals in type 2 diabetic patients
- The influence of chromium chloride-containing milk to glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Antioxidant effects and insulin resistance improvement of chromium combined with vitamin C and e supplementation for type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Chromium supplementation does not improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, or lipid profile: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of supplementation in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance
- Characterization of the metabolic and physiologic response to chromium supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Chromium supplementation shortens QTc interval duration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Role of chromium supplementation in Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in an obese Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Influence of chromium-enriched yeast on blood glucose and insulin variables, blood lipids, and markers of oxidative stress in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes
- Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glucose, HbA1C and lipid variables in individuals with newly onset type-2 diabetes
- The effects of inorganic chromium and brewer's yeast supplementation on glucose tolerance, serum lipids and drug dosage in individuals with type 2 diabetes
- Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Beneficial effects of oral chromium picolinate supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical study
- Potential antioxidant effects of zinc and chromium supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Antioxidant effects of chromium supplementation with type 2 diabetes mellitus and euglycemic subjects
- Effects of resistive training and chromium picolinate on body composition and skeletal muscle size in older women
- The effect of chromium picolinate on muscular strength and body composition in women athletes
- Effects of chromium and resistive training on muscle strength and body composition
- Chromium picolinate effects on body composition and muscular performance in wrestlers
- The effects of chromium and copper supplementation on mitogen-stimulated T cell proliferation in hypercholesterolaemic postmenopausal women
- Effects of niacin-bound chromium and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects: a pilot study
- Lack of effect of chromium supplementation on mental state and body weight in people with schizophrenia
- Effects of carbohydrate and chromium ingestion during intermittent high-intensity exercise to fatigue
- A 2-year, open-label pilot study of adjunctive chromium in patients with treatment-resistant rapid-cycling bipolar disorder