February 28, 2025

Vitamin D may help reduce proteinuria in people with diabetic kidney disease

The presence of excess proteins in the urine—a condition known as proteinuria—is a key indicator of kidney disease. A review of previous studies suggests that vitamin D supplements may help reduce proteinuria in people living with diabetic kidney disease, as well as potentially help to lower cholesterol.  

Vitamin D is associated with numerous health benefits, yet people with diabetic kidney disease tend to be deficient in this vitamin. Seeking to explore whether vitamin D supplementation is beneficial in this population, Jaya K. Sharma and colleagues conducted a literature review of relevant studies done around the world. They found five randomized control studies done in Asia, which collectively involved 377 participants. In four out of five of these studies, participants who were given vitamin D supplements experienced a decrease in proteinuria. Two of the trials also reported that vitamin D supplementation led to a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (a specific type of cholesterol) and total cholesterol for patients. Effects on glucose metabolism, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, blood pressure, oxidative stress, and kidney function were mixed.  

Based on these results, vitamin D may reduce proteinuria and cholesterol levels in people with diabetic kidney disease. However, the authors suggest that additional studies in non-Asian populations are needed, as well as studies that dig deeper into the influence of kidney and diabetes medications, which could have affected the results of the studies in this analysis.