According to researchers, bicarbonate supplementation (baking soda) preserves kidney function.
The study included 134 adult patients with CKD (creatinine clearance [CrCl] 15 to 30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) and serum bicarbonate 16 to 20 mmol/L to either supplementation with oral sodium bicarbonate or standard care for 2 yr.
The primary end points were rate of CrCl decline, the proportion of patients with rapid decline of CrCl (>3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)/yr), and ESRD (CrCl <10 ml/min).
Secondary end points were dietary protein intake, normalized protein nitrogen appearance, serum albumin, and mid-arm muscle circumference.
Patients supplemented with bicarbonate were significantly less likely to experience rapid progression of kidney disease 9% versus 45%.
Bottom line:
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in this study shows great promise. Nutritional parameters improved significantly with bicarbonate supplementation, which was well tolerated. The researchers concluded: “This study demonstrates that bicarbonate supplementation slows the rate of progression of renal failure to ESRD [End State Renal Disease] and improves nutritional status among patients with CKD”.
de Brito-Ashurst I, Varagunam M, Raftery MJ, Yaqoob MM. Bicarbonate Supplementation Slows Progression of CKD and Improves Nutritional Status.J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Jul 16.
