Cranberry
Cranberry Extract (PACs)
Best known for urinary tract health. Proanthocyanidins (PACs) prevent bacterial adhesion to urinary tract walls. Cochrane review supports use for UTI prevention in women.
Dose: 36 mg PACs/day (standardized extract)
Supplements for Kidney disease
Kidney health including CKD support, urinary tract health, and renal protection.
D-Mannose
Mannose
Simple sugar that prevents E. coli from adhering to urinary tract walls. Used for UTI prevention. Does not affect blood sugar at therapeutic doses. Different mechanism than cranberry.
Dose: 2 g/day for prevention; 2g 3x/day acute
Cordyceps
Cordyceps militaris Extract
Medicinal mushroom traditionally used in Chinese medicine. Modern cultivated Cordyceps militaris has replaced the rare wild Cordyceps sinensis. Supports energy, exercise performance, and kidney function.
Dose: 1-3 g/day
Potassium
Potassium (various forms)
Essential electrolyte. Most Americans don't get enough from diet. Critical for blood pressure, heart rhythm, and kidney function. OTC supplements are limited to 99 mg per dose (FDA regulation).
Dose: Context-dependent
Butyrate
Sodium Butyrate / Tributyrin
Short-chain fatty acid normally produced by gut bacteria fermenting fiber. Fuels colon cells, reduces inflammation, and supports gut barrier integrity. Supplemental forms bypass the need for microbial production.
Dose: 300-600 mg/day
Calcium
Calcium (various forms)
Essential mineral for bone health. Controversial for cardiovascular safety — some meta-analyses suggest increased MI risk with supplements (not dietary calcium). Citrate form better absorbed.
Dose: 500-1000 mg/day
Carnosine
L-Carnosine
Dipeptide found in muscle and brain. Acts as an intracellular buffer, antioxidant, and anti-glycation agent. Levels decline with age. May be supplemented directly or via beta-alanine.
Dose: 500-1000 mg/day
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale Extract
Traditional herbal remedy for liver and kidney support. Root is used for liver/digestion; leaf as a natural diuretic. Limited but growing clinical evidence.
Dose: 500-1000 mg leaf extract/day
Prebiotics
Prebiotic Fiber (Inulin/FOS)
Non-digestible fibers that feed beneficial gut bacteria. Inulin and FOS are the most common. Support gut microbiome diversity and short-chain fatty acid production.
Dose: 5-10 g/day
Probiotics
Multi-Strain Probiotics
Live beneficial bacteria. Effects are highly strain-specific — different strains do different things. Gut microbiome influences virtually every organ system. Quality and strain selection matter enormously.
Dose: Strain-dependent
Synbiotics
Synbiotic Blend (Probiotic + Prebiotic)
Combination of probiotics and prebiotics in a single product. The prebiotic component feeds the probiotic strains, theoretically improving colonization and efficacy.
Dose: Product-dependent
How to read the scores
Relevance badges
HighDirectly studied for this condition
ModeratePlausible mechanism
LowWeak or indirect
Evidence & onset bars
Strong evidence / fast onset
Emerging / limited
Insufficient data
Safety strip
No significant concerns
Worth noting
Significant concern
Affiliate links: Same price for you. A small share keeps this site independent.
Beyond supplements
There are other evidence-based interventions studied for kidney disease:
- Blood pressure control Most important modifiable factor for CKD progression. ACE inhibitors/ARBs have specific renal protective effects.
- Adequate hydration Maintaining hydration supports kidney function. Evidence strongest for kidney stone prevention.