Renal Diet? Strengthen Your Immune System with Vitamin D Supplement

When you have renal disease, your kidneys aren’t fully functioning. That means it’s harder for your body to remove excess fluids and toxins. But it’s not the only impact renal disease has on your body.

Limited kidney function also compromises your immune system. That’s a fancy way of saying, you’re more susceptible to colds, germs, viruses and bacteria that can make you sick.

Is there anything you can do about it? 

• Eat a healthy diet (limiting foods high in potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and protein). Want to make meal prep easier? Check out the Renal-Friendly menu of meals made from fresh ingredients.

• Get adequate rest. Aim for 7 to 9 hours a night.
  
  
• Exercise regularly. Try to be active for 30 to 60 minutes a day. Go for a walk. Ride a bike. Work out at the gym. 

• Manage stress in healthy ways. Try exercise, deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Make time for a hobby you enjoy. A hot bath or massage is a good way to de-stress too. Spend time with family and friends.

These healthy lifestyle habits will help protect your immune system. But there’s at least one more thing you can do. Get adequate vitamin D. If you live in a sunny area and spend a lot of time outdoors, you might not need more vitamin D. But most people do. 

An estimated 42 percent of adults are vitamin D deficient, according to the National Institutes of Health. And research shows low vitamin D levels increase your chance of getting sick. Studies suggest that a daily dose of vitamin D3 (up to 4,000 IU), may help strengthen the immune system to ward off infection.

“Vitamin D helps our immune systems stay balanced,” says pharmacist Dr. Gunda Siska.