The progress of chronic kidney disease is significantly slowed by sodium bicarbonate – baking soda – according to research reported in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
A trial at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, has found that rapid progression occurred in just 9% of patients given baking soda compared with 45% of those who were not.
Patients taking bicarb tablets were also less likely to develop end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, while increased sodium levels did not lead to raised blood pressure.
It was found that, over 12 months, kidney function declined two thirds more slowly, to the point that there was little difference from what would be expected with normal ageing.
Health professionals have previously considered the potential of baking soda for kidney disease patients who commonly suffer from metabolic acidosis, or low sodium bicarb levels.
The reported study was the first controlled test of the treatment in a clinical setting.
Copyright Press Association 2009
