New research shows maintaining a healthy vitamin D level can help a child preserve the function of their kidneys when they are afflicted with chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease and other kidney ailments are diseases in which a patient’s kidneys work at a reduced level for long periods of time or stop powering completely.

The kidneys are filters of the blood, removing waste products and toxins from the human body. Those wastes and toxins are then expelled through urine. With kidney disease, even with treatment, those wastes, and toxins build up in the body causing damage to other organs and other illnesses, including diabetes.

The new study comes out of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. Researchers found vitamin D worked best in children with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease. They believe vitamin D can block the renin angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This is a complex hormone system which regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. Doing so, is a key part to therapy for those suffering from chronic kidney disease. However, many patients have adverse affects to the drugs which are used. These new findings offer a potential new avenue in fighting chronic kidney disease.

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