A new tool in the arsenal of natural treatments for chronic kidney disease has been discovered thanks to a new Chinese study which sought to affirm the correlation between folic acid therapy and improved renal function.
The study drew from a pool of 15,104 participants, 1,671 of whom had CKD. The participants were each given enalapril (or, as its known by its brand name: Vasotec) a prescription drug used to treat high blood pressure in addition to kidney disease. This enalapril was also fortified with folic acid. The control group was given enalapril tablets without added folic acid.
The difference was shocking with participants in the folic acid group exhibiting a 21% slower rate of eGFR decline and a 44% slower decline of overall renal function, percentages not achieved by treatment with the prescription drug alone.
Folic acid is a relatively inexpensive and safe supplement for CKD patients, and although more research is needed, this study’s findings are extremely promising and suggest that adding folic acid to your chronic kidney disease supplemental treatment plan could help prescription treatments work even more effectively than usual.
Folic acid is a form of water-soluble vitamin B and is found in many different foods such as:
- Lentils
- Garbanzo Beans
- Asparagus
- Orange Juice
- Eggs
- Leafy Greens (Spinach, Collard Greens, Turnip, etc.)
Unfortunately several of these options contain nutrients like potassium, protein and phosphorous that make them off-limits for those with kidney disease. If this is the case for you, then taking a folic acid supplement is a great, safe alternative.
For more excellent information about the latest in kidney disease studies and natural treatment options, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram. And our videos on YouTube as well!
