According to a Japanese study, low calcium levels are responsible for a large decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) among people without chronic kidney disease. This could mean even worse news for people with chronic kidney disease. 

It’s been concluded that lower serum calcium levels can be good for knowing ahead of time which patients are at higher risk for bad renal function. 

A study was done of 218 men and 380 women 40 years or older who had an eGFR above 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Compared with individuals in the highest tertile of serum calcium level (above 9.6 mg/dL), those in the lowest tertile (less than 9.4 mg/dL) had 2.4-fold greater odds of a rapid decline in eGFR (a decline of at least 4.4 mL/min/1.73 m2). In addition, compared with a serum calcium level of 9.2 mg/dL or higher,
those with a level below 9.2 mg/dL had 3.3-fold increased odds.

Calcium is a vital component of the skeletal system and of maintaining healthy bones, teeth and nails. In cases of chronic kidney disease, where the kidneys can’t balance mineral levels, calcium can sometimes be pulled from the bones resulting in mineral and bone disorder. This often compounds problems for CKD patients.

Calcium can be obtained from a variety of foods, depending on how strict your kidney health diet is, however, supplements may be advised instead. This is especially true of dairy foods, which are often higher in phosphorous and potassium but which also provide calcium. Some of the safer dietary choices to opt for are rice milk or soy milk, which have decent amounts of calcium despite their non-dairy status.

For more info on which foods you should be eating to benefit every aspect of your health if you have chronic kidney disease, be sure to drop by our shop page and take a look at our videos.