Can too much of a water soluble vitamin really be bad for your kidneys? I first ran across an article “B Vitamins Harm Kidneys” in the June issue of Nutrition Action Healthletter (http://www.cspinet.org/). According to the article about a Canadian research study, 238 diabetics with early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) took a high dose folic acid, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 pill or a placebo. After three years the study revealed a greater decrease in kidney function and heart attack or stroke in the participants receiving the B vitamin. Read more…

Diabetes is a risk factor for kidney disease. In fact, over 50% of patients on dialysis have diabetes.  So if you have diabetes find out what can you do to prevent or delay kidney disease.

Results from a 4-1/2 year study of almost 1300 Chinese people with type 2 diabetes points to the American Diabetes Association targets to answer this question. (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2010:170:155-161). The study researchers reported that meeting the ADA target goals for hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides make a difference in keeping kidneys healthy. In fact, focusing on these targets can reduce risk of diabetic nephropathy by up to 35%.

American Diabetes Association Targets

• HbA1C less than 7%*
• Pre-meal glucose 90 to 130 mg/dL
• After meal glucose no higher than 180 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol above 50 mg/dL for women and 40 mg/dL for men*
• Triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL
• Systolic blood pressure below 130 mm Hg* Read more…

I went to a DaVita Dietitian meeting this week and heard a talk by Dr. Shagun Chopra-Sonthalia, a nephrologist from San Diego, CA. I want to share with you some important points from the presentation about new emphasis on earlier phosphorus control. Read more…

A recent study by DaVita dietitian Debbie Benner, MA, RD and collaborators reveals that changing to nocturnal dialysis may make it easier for dialysis patients to eat enough protein and keep phosphorus normal. A poster about the study was recently presented at the American Society of Nephology national meeting in San Diego. Read more…

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a common ingredient in quick breads, cakes and cookies.  My grandmother added a little as the final ingredient to her famous peanut brittle candy.   My dad drank baking soda-spiked water as a treatment for indigestion.  Search any refrigerator in an American household and you’re likely to find a box of Arm & Hammer® baking soda to absorb and eliminate food odors.

One of the headliners in this week’s Renal Business Today’s eNewsletter is “Baking Soda Slows Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease”.  The article sites Read more…