fish oil omega-3s for kidney healthOmega-3 fish oils & Kidney Health

Fatty acids are essential nutrients that your body cannot synthesize, so you can only obtain omega-3 from your diet. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating oily fish at least 2 times per week. Examples of oily fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna.1 If you do not get enough omega-3 through diet alone, you may want to consider taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

What happens if you don’t get enough Omega-3?

Signs and symptoms of omega-3 deficiency may include fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation.2 If you are experiencing any of these symptoms take a moment to consult your physician on whether fish oil supplements are the right choice for you.

What’s the purpose of Omega-3 in your body?

Omega-3 fatty acids are an integral part of cell membranes throughout the body and affect the function of the cell receptors in these membranes. They provide the starting point for making hormones that regulate blood clotting, contraction and relaxation of artery walls, and inflammation. They also bind to receptors in cells that regulate genetic function. Likely through these cellular mechanisms, omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent heart disease and stroke.3 There is also evidence which may point to fish oil supplementation reducing oxidative stress and improving cholesterol profiles in patients with CKD.4 Since omega-3 fatty acids play such an integral role in optimizing our heart health, it is important to make sure you are getting enough omega-3 through your diet or with supplementation.

What is the Difference between Omega-3 and Fish oil?

Omega-3 fatty acids are the active components in fish oil. The two essential omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which come from the fatty tissue of oily fish. An omega-3 fish oil supplement is most effective when it contains high concentrations of EPA and DHA rich fish oil. Unfortunately, common fish oil supplements can contain as little as 8% of active DHA and EPA, and instead include inferior fish oil that may not be beneficial to your health. 5

Are there Different forms of Omega-3 used in Supplements?

There are a variety of considerations that differentiate fish oils found in supplements. For the safest source of omega-3, choose fish oil that is derived from wild, cold-water fish that are low on the food chain, such as sardines and anchovies. Avoid fish oils that are sourced from bottom feeders, scavengers or farm-raised fish, which can increase the risk of contaminants including dioxins, PCBs and mercury.

Is there an Omega-3 Supplement Doctor’s Recommend for kidney health?

ProRenal+D with Omega-3® is a doctor formulated and recommended supplement, designed to support both kidney and heart health. The omega-3 used in ProRenal+D with Omega-3 is sourced from wild sardines and anchovies from the cold waters off Chile, which reduces the risks associated with pesticides or other contaminants. The omega-3 is continually batch tested in the pharmaceutical grade facility where ProRenal+D with Omega-3® is produced. The concentration of omega-3 fish oil in ProRenal+D with Omega-3® is based on the latest clinical research and includes 1000 mg of fish oil, consisting of 330 mg EPA and 220 mg DHA.6 ProRenal+D with omega-3® is specially formulated to support kidney and heart health.


  1. American Heart Association, Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna are high in omega-3 fatty acids
  2. Omega-3 fatty acids | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/omega3-fatty-acids#ixzz2hGuG1F2s
  3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution, Harvard School of Public Health, http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/omega-3-fats/
  4. Chronic Kidney Disease Evidence-based Nutrition Practice Guideline, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, http://www.guideline.gov
  5. Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Review (Including Krill, Algae, and Calamari Oil), http://Consumerlab.com, 2014
  6. Kris-Etherton, P. Circulation 2002; 106:2747