According the a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, vitamin D treatment for patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) may reduce their risk of death by more than 25 percent. 
 
In the study, some stage three and four CKD patients were given calcitriol while others were not treated with the drug. Researchers found patients taking calcitriol had a 26 percent lower risk of death. In addition, patients taking calcitriol were less likely to develop end-stage renal disease and need dialysis.

This article originally appeared in the August 2008 issue of AAKP Diet Tips & Bits.