A 2014 study published in the journal Toxicon shows that N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a powerful remedy against animal venom poisoning. Researchers from Instituto Butantan in Brazil studied the effects of NAC on mice injected with Bothrops jararaca (a highly venomous pit viper snake) and Crotalus durissus terrificus(tropical rattlesnake) venoms. Since NAC is a well-known nephroprotective antioxidant with low toxicity, the researchers figured … Continue reading NAC found to protect kidneys against VENOM damage (no wonder FDA wants to ban it)
Study presents evidence supporting the use of curcumin as alternative treatment for kidney fibrosis
Renal or kidney fibrosis is a progressive condition that results from the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, which can cause structural damage to the kidneys. It signifies a failed wound-healing process and ultimately leads to end-stage kidney disease wherein the kidneys are no longer able to function as they should. In a recent study, Chinese … Continue reading Study presents evidence supporting the use of curcumin as alternative treatment for kidney fibrosis
Kidney stones: Symptoms, treatments and dietary precautions
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of salts and other minerals that form inside the kidneys. Diet, lifestyle habits and a family history of kidney disease all contribute to an individual’s risk of developing kidney stones. Despite its name, kidney stones can affect any part of the urinary tract, such as the bladder and ureter. … Continue reading Kidney stones: Symptoms, treatments and dietary precautions
Healthy habits: 6 Reasons to drink more lemon water
Sugary drinks have become a standard part of the diet of many Americans. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2011 and 2014, six in 10 American youth and five in 10 American adults drank a sugar-sweetened beverage on any given day. Unfortunately, studies have linked the frequent consumption of sweetened beverages to serious conditions like … Continue reading Healthy habits: 6 Reasons to drink more lemon water
Medications don’t fix the problem: At least one in three American adults suffer from acid reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is incredibly common in the U.S., affecting a third of American adults each week. Because it is so prevalent, pharmaceutical companies have come up with several drugs that claim to address it, but a new study shows that these medications are simply not alleviating people’s symptoms – and they come with significant … Continue reading Medications don’t fix the problem: At least one in three American adults suffer from acid reflux
Can aloe vera help prevent diabetic nephropathy?
Aloe vera is one of the most well-known and widely grown medicinal plants on the planet. A succulent plant native to North Africa, Southern Europe and the Canary Islands, aloe vera is now also cultivated in tropical countries around the world. Aloe vera’s history of use as medicine can be traced back to the time of … Continue reading Can aloe vera help prevent diabetic nephropathy?
Curcumin found to have protective effects against renal fibrosis
Chinese researchers investigated the anti-fibrotic effects of curcumin on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor-B1 (TGF-B1), as well as the mechanism by which it influences the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Their findings were published in the journal Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. According to animal studies, curcumin has protective effects against the development of renal fibrosis.However, the mechanisms … Continue reading Curcumin found to have protective effects against renal fibrosis
Medicinal herbs for the treatment of kidney diseases
The kidneys play a vital role in the normal physiology of humans. These small, bean-shaped organs are responsible for removing waste products and excess fluid from the body. They also facilitate the production of urine, regulate the body’s salt, acid and potassium levels and produce hormones that influence the function of other organs. The kidneys, however, are … Continue reading Medicinal herbs for the treatment of kidney diseases
Antioxidant May Prevent Kidney Damage, Study Finds (press release)
An Italian study adds some information -- but doesn't resolve -- a major medical debate: Is an antioxidant called acetylcysteine effective against one of the most common forms of in-hospital kidney failure? When doctors want to view inside the body, they inject what is called contrast medium, chemicals that make the blood vessels stand out … Continue reading Antioxidant May Prevent Kidney Damage, Study Finds (press release)
Which plants are effective at treating kidney diseases?
Plant-based foods are much better at promoting health than animal-based foods for a variety of reasons. Besides their abundance in essential nutrients, edible plants also contain a variety of phytonutrients that help combat or treat disease. The ability of these plants to produce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other therapeutic compounds serves as their main advantage over conventional medicines, which … Continue reading Which plants are effective at treating kidney diseases?
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 