Vitamin Needs and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

This paper summarizes the biochemistry, metabolism, and dietary needs of vitamins in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney transplant recipients. Evidence indicates that the dietary intake, in vivo synthesis, urinary excretion or metabolism of different vitamins may be substantially altered in kidney failure. There are discrepancies in vitamin status assessment depending on whether the assay is functional or measuring the blood vitamin level. Whether vitamin supplements should be routinely prescribed for patients with CKD is controversial.