How Important is Vitamin C for People with Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease is more common than you’d think. More than 1 in 7

American adults have chronic kidney disease, and it is a leading cause of death

in the US. Could something as simple as vitamin C help?

People with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk for vitamin C deficiency,

and that lower vitamin C is associated with an increased risk of death.

A just published study has found that the highest vitamin C levels are found in

people free of chronic kidney disease, while the lowest levels being found in

people with stage 4 or 5 kidney disease. 56% of people with chronic kidney

disease had inadequate or deficient levels of vitamin C. Even in healthy people,

kidney function was positively associated with higher levels of vitamin C.

This study shows that, whether you are healthy or have chronic kidney disease,

worse kidney function is associated with lower levels of vitamin C. The

researchers suggest that people with advanced chronic kidney disease get more

vitamin C through supplements and diet by eating more fruits and vegetables.

Am J Clin Nutr. September 10, 2025 (article in press).