First lady, Michelle Obama tells us that drinking more water will improve the health of kids and all Americans.
Really? Here’s what we know. Continue reading Does water really improve health?
Category Archives: Kidney Disease
Benefits of reducing salt intake: Reality sets in
The NIH Committee on the Consequences of Sodium Reduction… reports it might be time to entertain second thoughts on the importance of salt restriction.
It was just a matter of time. Continue reading Benefits of reducing salt intake: Reality sets in
Contaminated and adulterated herbals
Prof. Ernst and colleagues reviewed the evidence and they aren’t sanguine. Continue reading Contaminated and adulterated herbals
Effect of vitamin D supplements on cancer and fracture risks
Researchers in Boston and Japan, reviewed the effects of vitamin D with or without calcium supplementation. Continue reading Effect of vitamin D supplements on cancer and fracture risks
Pomegranate juice improves cardiovascular risk factors
During the American Society of Nephrology Annual Meeting, researchers at Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya, Israel, reported that patients on hemodialysis who drank moderate amounts of pomegranate juice saw improvement in lipids, blood pressure, and the number of antihypertensive medications required. Continue reading Pomegranate juice improves cardiovascular risk factors
New view of the risks of sodium intake on health and disease
After more than 2 decades of warning us about the evils of too much salt in the diet, an international group of researchers looked for an association between estimated urinary sodium and potassium excretion (surrogates for intake) and cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Continue reading New view of the risks of sodium intake on health and disease
Omega-3 fatty acid effect on lipids in hemodialysis patients
Researchers at Laikon General Hospital, in Athens, Greece, looked for a response. Continue reading Omega-3 fatty acid effect on lipids in hemodialysis patients
Benefits of tai chi in patients with kidney disease
Researchers at Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, in Hong Kong, China, studied patients with end-stage kidney disease — complete, or almost complete failure of the kidneys to function.
The hardest part is maintaining commitment. Continue reading Benefits of tai chi in patients with kidney disease
Another review of acupuncture to treat uremic pruritus
Uremic pruritus (itchiness) is a common, bothersome symptom in people with end-stage kidney disease that doesn’t always respond to conventional care.
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, in Daejeon, reviewed the evidence for acupuncture. Continue reading Another review of acupuncture to treat uremic pruritus
Benefits of music therapy during kidney dialysis
Researchers at the Cardinal Tien Hospital, in New Taipei City, Taiwan, explored the use of music during hemodialysis as a complementary therapy to improve overall well-being in elderly patients. Continue reading Benefits of music therapy during kidney dialysis
Risk of kidney stones with calcium and vitamin D
The Women’s Health Initiative reported a 17% excess in urinary tract stone formation with calcium + vitamin D supplements.
Now, researchers in the US evaluated whether this risk might be modified by certain patient characteristics. Continue reading Risk of kidney stones with calcium and vitamin D
Pomegranate juice for kidney dialysis patients
During the American Society of Nephrology’s 43rd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition, researchers at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, in Haifa, Israel reported their results in patients with chronic kidney disease. Continue reading Pomegranate juice for kidney dialysis patients
Review: Acupuncture to control itch in dialysis patients
Uremic pruritus is characterized by continuous scratching, with lesions and superimposed infections. It’s a frustrating, common, and potentially disabling complication in patients treated with kidney dialysis.
Prof. Ernst reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating uremic pruritus in patients with end-stage renal disease. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture to control itch in dialysis patients
Omega-3 and the risk of kidney stones
Researchers at the University of Bonn, in Germany, evaluated the effects of supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (omega-3 fatty acids) on risk factors for calcium oxalate stone formation. Continue reading Omega-3 and the risk of kidney stones
Consumer Alert: Aromatase inhibitors in dietary supplements
Aromatase inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat breast cancer and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women.
Now, the FDA is recalling the following supplements that illegally contain these drugs. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Aromatase inhibitors in dietary supplements
B vitamins to treat diabetic kidney disease?
Hyperhomocysteinemia (high blood levels of homocysteine) increases the risk of blood vessel complications in people with diabetes. Supplementation with B vitamins (pyridoxine, folic acid, B12) reduces these levels.
Researchers in Canada report the results of the (Diabetic Intervention with Vitamins to Improve Nephropathy [DIVINe]) study, which was designed to determine whether B-vitamin therapy might slow progression of diabetic kidney disease and prevent vascular complications. Continue reading B vitamins to treat diabetic kidney disease?
Vitamin D and the risk of heart disease
Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, looked at Vitamin D levels and found that about two-thirds of patients had low levels.
And, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to results presented during the 59th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology. Continue reading Vitamin D and the risk of heart disease
Viamin D levels in kidney dialysis patients
Researchers from Canada and the US looked for factors that might predict patients with kidney failure who are vitamin D deficient. Continue reading Viamin D levels in kidney dialysis patients
Consumer Alert: Hydroxycut
Do you find that you’re not getting the weight loss results you want from diet and exercise alone?
If you do and you tried Hydroxycut, be forewarned that this product has been associated with serious liver injury. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Hydroxycut
Chitosan lowers phosphate levels in kidney disease
High phosphate blood levels are associated with a higher risk of death due to heart disease in patients with advanced kidney disease. Despite current treatments, only half of patients receiving kidney dialysis maintain recommended phosphate levels.
Researchers from the US, UK, and Italy assessed the phosphate-binding capacity of the natural polymer chitosan added to chewing gum. Continue reading Chitosan lowers phosphate levels in kidney disease