Natural Support for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Polycystic Kidney Disease, or PKD is “any of several hereditary disorders in which cysts form in the kidneys and other organs, eventually damaging kidney tissue and function”.

PKD is considered a hereditary disorder with two types. The first is considered autosomal recessive when the disease appears in childhood, and the second is considered autosomal dominant when it appears in adulthood (commonly over the age of 30). In both cases, this systemic hereditary disorder is characterized by the formation of cysts in the cortex and medulla of both kidneys. Small cysts lined by tubular epithelium (which play an active role in renal inflammation) form and the surrounding normal kidney tissue is compressed and progressively damaged which leads to the eventual damaged/destruction of the tissue. In the case of PKD, the damaged tissue stimulates the body’s protective inflammatory response due to the renal injury, thus beginning the chronic inflammatory cycle.
 
Individuals with early PKD are often without symptoms until later in life but generally show evidence of high or elevated blood pressure from the approx. age of 20 and onward.
 
In adults, this hereditary disorder has a prevalence of approximately 1 in 1000 individuals.

Causes:
This is a hereditary genetic disorder most often passed down in families. Rarely, a genetic mutation can occur spontaneously so that neither parent has a copy of the mutated gene.
 
Individuals with a strong positive family history of ADPKD and no cysts detected by imaging studies can undergo genetic linkage analysis for additional evaluation.

When your Doctor diagnosis PKD:
“A person is considered to have PKD if three or more cysts are noted in both kidneys and there is a positive family member with autosomal dominant polycystic disease (ADPKD)” – Ferri’s Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine
 
The diagnosis is usually based on family history, clinical and laboratory findings, and ultrasound examination.

Symptoms of PKD:

• Usually presents in the 30’s and 40’s
• Pain (Abdominal, flank, or back)
• Vague discomfort in loin or abdomen due to increasing mass of renal tissue
• Renal colic
• High or elevated blood pressure
• Headache
• Excessive urination at night (Nocturia)
• Urinary tract infections
• Presence of blood in urine when urinalysis takes place (Hematuria)
• Kidney Stones (only in 20% of cases), also known as Nephrolithiasis

Laboratory Findings in PKD:      

• Hemoglobin and hematocrit are elevated in blood because of increased secretion of erythropoietin (a hormone secreted by the kidneys that increases the rate of production of red blood cells in response to falling levels of oxygen in tissues) from functioning renal cysts.
• Relatively mild anemia often found (lowered iron levels).
• Electrolyte abnormalities may be present in blood.
• BUN (Blood, Urea, Nitrogen) and Creatinine (a compound that is produced by metabolism of creatine and excreted in the urine) may be elevated.

​Complications of PKD:

• High blood pressure
• Reduction or eventual loss of kidney function (progressive)
• In women, may lead to complications in pregnancy
• Cysts may develop on the liver
• Brain aneurysm
• Heart valve abnormalities, cardiac regurgitation
• Colon problems
• Chronic pain

General Dietary and Lifestyle Suggestions for PKD:

• Remove all processed foods from your diet.
• Remove all processed and refined sugars from your diet.
• Greatly reduce salt intake.
• Remove all caffeine and soft drinks.
• Remove gluten from your diet.
• Remove or greatly reduce alcohol intake
• Implement the anti-inflammatory diet.
• Increase water intake, 6 glasses daily – steam distilled is greatly helpful, high quality water is important.
• Take caution in contact sports.
• Reduce your intake of potassium and phosphates if your levels are elevated
• Consume a diet composed of 75% raw foods.
• Include in your diet legumes, seeds, and organic soy beans. These foods contain the amino acid arginine, which is beneficial for the kidneys.
• Reduce your intake of animal protein, or eliminate it altogether. A diet high in animal protein puts stress on the kidneys. Excessive accumulation of protein can result in uremia. Protein is easiest to utilize if it has been broken down into free form amino acids. Other good protein sources include beans, lentils, millet, peas, organic soy beans, and whole ancient grains.

General Supplement Suggestions for PKD:
This list is not a complete supplementation list

• Probiotics – especially important if taking antibiotics for urinary tract infections
• Coenzyme A – Acts as an antioxidant and removes harmful substances from the body
• Vitamin B Complex, especially B6 – To reduce fluid retention in later or advanced PKD
• Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids – Acidifies the urine, boosts immune function, and aids healing
• Calcium and magnesium -  for proper mineral balancing
• Amino acids L-arginine and L-methionine – for kidney disease and for improved kidney circulation
• Vitamin A with Carotenoids – Important in healing the urinary tract lining and immune function. Use emulsion form for easier assimilation.
• Vitamin E – Promotes immune function, important free radical destroyer, use d-alpha-tocopherol form.
• Zinc – An immunostimulant necessary for healing and an important inhibitor of crystallization and crystal growth. Take with copper to balance.

Commonly used herbs in PDK:
Always consult your Clinical/Medical Herbalist before starting new herbs, do not self-dose. This is not a complete herbal list. If you take pharmaceuticals, please consult your physician.

• Parsley Piert (Aphanes arvensis) - This herb is considered to be specific for the urinary tract as a whole and is cooling, demulcent, and a gentle diuretic. It is specific for renal calculi of various types and for general kidney and bladder problems. Also specific in issues when edema is caused by renal disfunction. There are no known contraindications with current medications, however, due to lack of research it is best to avoid in pregnancy and lactation. Additionally, it is best taken as an infusion (tea).
  
  
• Couch Grass (Elymus repens) - This traditional herb is one that I would consider to be a specific when pairing with other herbs for PKD. It is considered to be anti-inflammatory, demulcent, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial which can help against the possibility of secondary infection within the kidney. It is also considered tonic to the urinary tract which means it can potentially assist with the balance of proper function. 
  
  
• Nettle Seed (Urtica dioica) -  One of my first cases post graduation was a client in hospital with kidney failure who was not responding to conventional drugs. By request of the client, I was allowed to enter the hospital in order to give him herbs (this is not in any way the norm, and I think at the time there was a very frustrated physician) The client was given high doses of nettle seed, and though he did not make a full recovery, he was later stable enough to be discharged (due to lack of research, and this being a singular case, I cannot state with full certainty that this herb was the singular cause since other herbs, and pharmaceuticals were involved). Nettle seed is a powerful herbal ally when it comes to kidney function and bringing down inflammation in the kidney. It is considered to be a highly respected kidney trophorestorative herbs. In some initial clinical studies it has been shown to slow down renal failure, and increase kidney glomerular function and lowered serum creatine levels.  For a bit more commentary on Nettle Seed, please see the article attached here.  Clinical Research Article can also be found here
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• Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) - This is an herb that I would consider as a specific in any disorders of inflammation in the mucosal membrane of the body. From the gastrointestinal tract, to the full function of the urinary system, marshmallow is excellent as a soothing anti-inflammatory. It is also considered to be protective of the mucosal lining due to its mucilagenous properties, and is a key anti-irritant. It is a specific for inflammation within the kidney and bladder, and any sort of chronic irritation to the system as a whole.

Again, this is by no means an inclusive list, as depending on the individual case I would no doubt use  variety of far more powerful herbs. However, in my opinion these are good general usage herbs that can be paired with specifics for an individual formulation.

If you have further questions, or would like to have a one on one discussion about PKD or a chronic health or wellness issue, please feel free to contact me directly at the office.

In health and wellness,
Petra