Which vitamin supplementation is commonly recommended for patients with CKD?

Vitamin D supplementation is commonly recommended for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to the kidneys' reduced ability to convert vitamin D into its active form, calcitriol. As CKD progresses, the ability of the kidneys to maintain calcium and phosphate balance diminishes, which can lead to bone disease, mineral disturbances, and overall poor health outcomes.

The active form of vitamin D, calcitriol, plays a crucial role in calcium absorption from the gut and in regulating serum calcium and phosphorus levels. Since patients with CKD often have lower levels of active vitamin D, supplementation can help mitigate the risk of secondary hyperparathyroidism and contribute to healthier bone metabolism.

While vitamins C, B12, and K serve important functions in the body, they do not have the same critical role in managing the complications associated with CKD as vitamin D does. Vitamin C is an antioxidant but can potentially accumulate and cause issues in renal failure. Vitamin B12 is important for red blood cell production and neurological functions, but its deficiency is not specifically tied to CKD, and vitamin K is involved in blood clotting but does not address the complications commonly faced by CKD patients. Thus, vitamin D remains the focus of supplementation for this patient population due to