Diabetic nephropathy
Supplements studied for diabetic nephropathy.
Overview
Evidence for supplements in diabetic nephropathy is limited across seven entries, all with low trust. Alpha-Lipoic Acid (WA 52; low effect size, high evidence, medium trust) may lower urine protein when combined with type-2-diabetes medications in short trials, but long-term kidney effects are unknown.
Melatonin, Milk Thistle, and Resveratrol each have single small studies with mixed or non-significant kidney markers. Nattokinase has insufficient evidence per the summaries. No supplement here shows established benefit for diabetic kidney disease. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for all seven supplements.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Nattokinase | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Ginkgo | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Selenium | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Resveratrol | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Milk Thistle | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
8 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Alpha-Lipoic AcidView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Early studies suggest that alpha-lipoic acid, when used alongside some diabetes medications, may help lower certain protein levels in the urine in diabetic kidney disease.
- Short courses of intravenous ALA combined with other drugs lowered urine protein and markers of kidney stress more than those drugs alone.
- Taking oral ALA with medications like valsartan also helped reduce urine protein compared to either treatment alone, but evidence quality is limited.
- Long-term effects are not clear.
- Taking ALA by itself did not show benefits.
Browse 4 studies·2 meta-analyses
Systematic reviewEffects of Alpha-lipoic Acid Supplementation on Human Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis2021
Meta-analysis of ALA for diabetic nephropathy found inconsistent albumin outcomes and concluded available human evidence is limited and should be interpreted cautiously.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Diabetic patients
MetaEffects of valsartan combined with α-lipoic acid on renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis2021n=1,294
Meta-analysis of 11 diabetic nephropathy trials in 1294 patients found valsartan plus ALA reduced urinary albumin and oxidative stress markers more than monotherapy.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Diabetic nephropathy patients
- Participants
- 1,294
RCTCurative Effects of Valsartan Alone or Combined with Alpha-lipoic Acid on Inflammatory Cytokines and Renal Function in Early-stage Diabetic Kidney Disease2019n=51
RCT in 102 early diabetic kidney disease patients found valsartan plus ALA lowered inflammatory markers and renal indices more than valsartan alone after 14 days.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 14 days
- Population
- Diabetic kidney disease patients
- Participants
- 51
Clinical Efficacy of Alprostadil Combined with α-lipoic Acid in the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy2017n=32
14-day study in 62 elderly diabetic nephropathy patients found alprostadil plus ALA lowered CysC, UAER, and inflammatory markers more than alprostadil alone.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 14 days
- Dose
- 0.45 g/day
- Population
- Older adults
- Participants
- 32
- Ages
- 60+
NattokinaseView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- There is not enough evidence to determine if nattokinase has any benefit for diabetic nephropathy.
Browse 5 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaEffects of soy isoflavone supplementation on patients with diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2021n=141
A meta-analysis of 7 RCTs (141 diabetic nephropathy patients) found soy isoflavones reduced 24-hour urine protein, BUN, CRP, lipids, and fasting glucose vs control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients with metabolic syndrome
- Participants
- 141
RCTSoy milk consumption and blood pressure among type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy2013
In 29 type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients, 4 weeks of soy milk vs cow's milk reduced systolic BP by 4.5% and triglycerides by 15% vs cow's milk.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Population
- Diabetic patients
- Avg age
- 51±10
CrossoverEffect of soy protein-rich diet on renal function in young adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus2005n=12
In 12 young adults with type 1 diabetes and hyperfiltration, 8 weeks of soy protein reduced mean GFR (143 vs 159 ml/min/1.73 m² at baseline) vs animal protein control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Young adults
- Participants
- 12
- Avg age
- ~30
RCTIsolated soy protein consumption reduces urinary albumin excretion and improves the serum lipid profile in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nephropathy2004n=14
In 14 men with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy, 0.5 g/kg/day isolated soy protein for 8 weeks reduced urinary albumin excretion by 9.5% and improved lipid ratios vs casein.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 0.5 g/kg/day
- Population
- Diabetic patients
- Participants
- 14
RCTBeneficiary effect of dietary soy protein on lowering plasma levels of lipid and improving kidney function in type II diabetes with nephropathy2003n=14
In 14 diabetic nephropathy patients in a crossover trial, replacing 35% of protein with soy for 7 weeks significantly reduced lipids and improved kidney function markers vs usual diet.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7 weeks
- Dose
- 0.8 g/kg
- Population
- Diabetic patients
- Participants
- 14
GinkgoView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Early research on diabetic kidney disease is limited.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 randomized controlled trials evaluating Ginkgo biloba leaves extract added to ACEI/ARB therapy for diabetic kidney disease, suggesting improvements in renal biomarkers versus ACEI/ARB alone with acceptable safety.
- More studies are needed before any benefit can be considered reliable.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
Systematic reviewThe efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves extract combined with ACEI/ARB on diabetic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 randomized controlled trials2025n=3,269
A meta-analysis of 41 RCTs (3,269 patients) found ginkgo biloba extract combined with ACEI/ARB significantly improved kidney function markers in diabetic kidney disease versus ACEI/ARB alone.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 3,269
Vitamin DView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- There is limited evidence that vitamin D might help lower inflammation and protein in the urine in people with diabetic kidney disease.
- However, vitamin D does not seem to improve overall kidney function like blood tests for kidney waste or filtering ability.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
MetaEffects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Renal Function, Inflammation and Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2019n=1,464
A meta-analysis of 20 diabetic nephropathy RCTs (1,464 patients) found vitamin D reduced proteinuria and inflammatory markers but did not improve eGFR or HbA1c.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients
- Participants
- 1,464
Milk ThistleView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not clear if milk thistle improves kidney function in people with diabetic kidney disease.
- In one small study, people with type 2 diabetes taking milk thistle extract three times a day for three months had less protein in their urine, which is a sign of kidney damage.
- However, milk thistle did not improve other kidney tests like blood creatinine or overall kidney filtering ability.
- More research is needed to confirm its benefits.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of addition of silymarin to renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on proteinuria in type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial2012n=60
An RCT of 60 type 2 diabetes patients with overt nephropathy found silymarin 420 mg/day for 3 months reduced urinary albumin-creatinine ratio by 347 mg/g more than placebo while on RAS inhibitors.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 3 months
- Dose
- 420 mg/day
- Population
- Diabetic patients
- Participants
- 60
ResveratrolView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It’s not clear if resveratrol helps people with diabetic nephropathy.
- In an early study, taking resveratrol 500 mg along with a common blood pressure medicine (losartan) for 90 days lowered signs of protein in the urine but did not improve other kidney function markers.
Browse 1 study
RCTResveratrol reduces albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial2019n=60
In 60 type 2 diabetic patients with albuminuria, resveratrol 500 mg/day for 90 days reduced urinary albumin/creatinine ratio versus placebo alongside losartan.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 90 days
- Dose
- 500 mg/day
- Population
- Diabetic patients
- Participants
- 60
SeleniumView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- There is little evidence that taking selenium improves kidney function in people with diabetic kidney disease.
- One small study found that selenium supplements did not help kidney test results better than placebo.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of Selenium Supplementation on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profiles in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy2016n=30
In 60 diabetic nephropathy patients over 12 weeks, selenium 200 mcg/day lowered insulin, HOMA-IR, and raised glutathione peroxidase versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Dose
- 200 mcg/day
- Population
- Patients with diabetic nephropathy
- Participants
- 30
MelatoninView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A clinical trial tested melatonin in people with diabetes and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.
- They took 5 mg twice a day for 10 weeks.
- The study found that melatonin lowered markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (which are linked to kidney damage), but these changes were small and not considered statistically significant.
- The groups taking melatonin and the placebo were similar in diet and activity, and no side effects were reported.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffects of melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial2025n=41
A double-blind randomized controlled trial in diabetic patients with CKD stages 3-4 found that 10 weeks of melatonin (5 mg twice daily) led to reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation markers (including TOS, MDA, IL-6, hs-CRP), but these changes were not statistically significant.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 10 weeks
- Dose
- 5 mg 2×/day
- Population
- Diabetic patients
- Participants
- 41
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nattokinase | ★★★★★52% | 5 | 1 | 33% |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid | ★★★★★52% | 4 | 2 | 27% |
| Ginkgo | ★★★★★48% | 1 | 1 | 7% |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Milk Thistle | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Resveratrol | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Selenium | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★48% | 1 | 1 | 7% |