Researchers looked at 53 different studies to see if probiotic supplements (the good bacteria in yogurt and supplements) could help people with chronic kidney disease. They found that taking a mix of three or more different probiotics together seemed to work better than taking just one type. These probiotic combinations appeared to help reduce harmful waste products in the blood, improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and reduce inflammation in the body. While these results are promising, more research is needed before doctors start recommending probiotics as a standard treatment for kidney disease.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether probiotic supplements (beneficial bacteria) could help improve kidney function and reduce harmful effects in people with chronic kidney disease
  • Who participated: This analysis combined data from 53 different research studies that tested probiotics in kidney disease patients. The studies varied in size and patient characteristics.
  • Key finding: Probiotic mixes containing three or more different types of bacteria showed the strongest benefits. A four-plus probiotic mix was best at reducing creatinine (a waste product in blood) and glucose (blood sugar), while a three-probiotic mix was best at reducing uric acid and inflammation markers.
  • What it means for you: If you have chronic kidney disease, probiotic supplements—especially multi-strain combinations—may help support kidney function and reduce harmful blood markers. However, talk to your doctor before starting any supplement, as probiotics aren’t yet standard medical treatment for kidney disease.

The Research Details

This study used a special research method called network meta-analysis, which is like combining the results from many different studies to find patterns. The researchers searched for all studies published up until January 2025 that tested probiotic supplements in people with chronic kidney disease. They looked at 53 studies total and compared different types of probiotic treatments—some with one strain of bacteria, some with three, and some with four or more strains mixed together.

The researchers measured four main areas: how well the kidneys worked (using blood markers like creatinine), how well the body controlled blood sugar and cholesterol, how much inflammation and cell damage was happening in the body, and how well people were eating. They used a ranking system called SUCRA to figure out which probiotic combinations worked best for each outcome.

This approach is powerful because it lets researchers compare many different treatments at once, even if the original studies didn’t directly test them against each other. It’s like having a bird’s-eye view of all the evidence instead of looking at one study at a time.

Chronic kidney disease is a serious condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. Current treatments help but don’t always stop the disease from getting worse. Probiotics are interesting because they’re natural, generally safe, and may work by reducing inflammation and harmful bacteria in the gut. This research method (network meta-analysis) is important because it lets us see the big picture across many studies, which gives us stronger evidence than any single study could provide.

This is a meta-analysis, which is considered high-quality evidence because it combines many studies. However, the strength of the findings depends on the quality of the original 53 studies included. The researchers looked at studies up to January 2025, so the information is current. One important note: the original studies likely varied in how they measured results and which patients they included, which can affect how confident we should be in the conclusions. The fact that multiple probiotic combinations showed benefits (rather than just one) suggests the findings are fairly robust.

What the Results Show

The research found that using multiple probiotic strains together worked better than using single strains. A combination of four or more different probiotic types ranked highest (79.1% on the effectiveness scale) for reducing creatinine, which is a waste product that builds up when kidneys don’t work well. This same four-probiotic mix also ranked highest (97.1%) for lowering blood glucose (blood sugar).

A three-probiotic combination performed best for reducing uric acid (a waste product that can cause gout and other problems), with an 82.5% effectiveness ranking. This three-probiotic mix also ranked best for lowering fasting blood sugar (92.0% effectiveness) and reducing malondialdehyde (78.7%), which is a marker of cell damage and oxidative stress in the body.

The results suggest that the more probiotic strains included in the supplement, the better the overall effect. This makes sense because different bacteria may work in different ways to reduce inflammation and support kidney health. The researchers noted that these multi-strain combinations appeared to help with multiple problems at once—kidney function, blood sugar control, inflammation, and cell damage.

Beyond the main kidney and blood sugar improvements, the probiotic combinations also appeared to help with inflammation markers and oxidative stress (cell damage caused by harmful molecules). These are important because inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to be major drivers of kidney disease progression. The studies also looked at dietary intake and nutritional status, where multi-strain probiotics showed benefits, though the details on this were less prominent in the findings.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that gut bacteria may play a role in kidney disease. Previous research suggested that people with kidney disease have different gut bacteria than healthy people, and that this imbalance may contribute to kidney damage. This new analysis is more comprehensive than previous reviews because it directly compares different probiotic treatments and ranks them by effectiveness. It supports the growing idea that probiotics could be a helpful addition to standard kidney disease treatment, though it’s still not mainstream medical practice.

Several important limitations should be considered: First, the original 53 studies likely varied in quality, study design, and how they measured results, which can affect the overall conclusions. Second, most studies were relatively short-term, so we don’t know if the benefits last over months or years. Third, the studies may not have included all types of kidney disease patients—results might differ for people at different stages of the disease. Fourth, we don’t know the ideal dose, duration, or which specific probiotic strains work best because this information wasn’t consistently reported across studies. Finally, some studies may have had bias or funding from probiotic companies, which could influence results.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, multi-strain probiotic supplements (containing three or more different bacterial types) appear promising for supporting kidney health in people with chronic kidney disease. However, this is not yet strong enough evidence for doctors to routinely prescribe probiotics as standard treatment. If you have kidney disease and are interested in trying probiotics: (1) Talk to your nephrologist (kidney doctor) first, as probiotics may interact with other medications or not be appropriate for your specific situation; (2) If approved, look for supplements with multiple probiotic strains rather than single-strain products; (3) Give it at least 8-12 weeks to see effects; (4) Continue all other kidney disease treatments as prescribed. Confidence level: Moderate—the evidence is promising but more research is needed.

This research is most relevant for people with chronic kidney disease who are looking for additional ways to support their kidney health alongside standard medical treatment. It may be particularly interesting for those with early-to-moderate kidney disease. People with severe kidney disease, those on dialysis, or those who have had kidney transplants should definitely consult their doctor before trying probiotics. People without kidney disease don’t need probiotics specifically for kidney protection based on this research.

Based on the studies reviewed, most showed measurable improvements in blood markers within 8-12 weeks of taking probiotics. However, improvements in actual kidney function (measured by GFR—glomerular filtration rate) may take longer, potentially 3-6 months or more. It’s important to have realistic expectations: probiotics appear to slow kidney disease progression, not reverse existing damage. Benefits require consistent daily use.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily probiotic supplement intake (type, number of strains, dose) and monthly kidney function markers if available from doctor visits (creatinine level, eGFR, uric acid). Also track any digestive changes or side effects.
  • Set a daily reminder to take your multi-strain probiotic supplement at the same time each day (ideally with food). Log it in the app immediately after taking it to build consistency. If using the app’s health integration, sync kidney function test results from your doctor’s office when available.
  • Create a monthly check-in to review: (1) Consistency of probiotic use (aim for 90%+ days taken); (2) Any changes in energy, digestion, or how you feel; (3) Kidney function test results from doctor visits (track creatinine and eGFR trends over 3-6 months); (4) Any side effects or concerns to discuss with your doctor. Use the app’s trend feature to visualize whether markers are improving, stable, or worsening.

This research suggests probiotics may support kidney health, but probiotics are not approved by the FDA as a treatment for chronic kidney disease and should not replace standard medical care. If you have chronic kidney disease, consult your nephrologist or kidney specialist before starting any probiotic supplement, as probiotics may not be appropriate for all stages of kidney disease or may interact with your medications. Some people with severely compromised immune systems should avoid probiotics. This article is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for managing your kidney disease.