THE BIRTH OF PKDIET - interview
QUESTION How
did the idea of PKDiet begin?
ANSWER PKDiet
sought to answer the question: What
can I do if I have cystic organ disease? PKD (kidney cysts) –or–
PLD (liver cysts)
PKDiet website is a place of hope, encouraging each individual that there is
something to be done to maintain the health of cystic kidneys or a cystic liver. PKD
diagnosis came early to me at the age of 21. I am now 60. I would ask each doctor
I saw, “What can I do? " The answer was always the same. " There
is nothing to do. You are too healthy."”
I did not want to sit by and watch my cystic organs grow. What began as a detective-like
search to ascertain which foods heightened liver and kidney pain and which might
possibly lessen pain, soon expanded to include a variety of foods, food preparation,
food growing methods, food processing methods, herbs, supplements, salts, and
water possibilities.
PKDiet, a plant based alkaline diet, received a jump-start and took off rapidly
with the discovery of supplements such as potassium citrate, sodium citrate
and other alkalizers that seemingly decreased symptoms. It has progressed
into a dietary website for cystic organ disease. There was no other place to
find how to adjust one’s diet or lifestyle to maintain kidney and liver
health.
My first meeting with PKD researchers, George and Judy Tanner, Potassium Citrate
PKD Researchers was a true epiphany. To read more about this click
here. To read more click
here and here. At
this conference, packed to the edges with standing room only, fellow PKD'rs
were lined up out in the hallway to catch a few words of this revolutionary
lecture. It was here that I found for the first time, the evidence I needed.
The Tanners had performed painstakingly detailed scientific experiments with
PKD animals. The evidence backed the conclusion that supported an alkaline diet
(geared specifically to aid cystic kidneys and cystic livers). This benefited
the continued health of cystic kidneys. More importantly kidneys' cyst growth
was diminished. Longevity was the outcome without a decrease in kidney functioning.
Relative alkalinity maintained within the body promotes health and longevity.
At subsequent conferences I have met other researchers (a nephrologist from
Egypt) and individuals who have also concluded empirically that eating alkaline
simply made them feel better. There is a lessening of symptoms. There is diminished
pain, bloating, and discomfort. And cyst growth remains stable.
The basic PKDiet is to eat a plant based diet; remain alkaline; keep blood pressure
low, correct anemia, and check that you do not spill protein in your urine.
These are things that one can do with cystic organs to assure that health is
the likely outcome.
The CRISP study concluded that each PKD individual progresses at an established
rate of kidney decline. As kidney cysts grow, kidney function declines at a
predictable rate. For 10 years, I have documented proof that while remaining
alkaline there has been no new cyst growth; blood pressure is 120/80 without
medication; and kidney functioning has remained normal, steady as a rock. We
who have tried the alkaline PKDiet propose that it can be used in conjunction
with a doctor's prescribed medical advice much like a diabetic diet is used
to help control blood sugar. The PKDiet diminishes the acid build up that comes
with cystic kidneys and lessening the workload upon the kidneys and liver.
QUESTION How
did PKDiet become so involved with livers cysts?
ANSWER Though
I have many kidney cysts, my main manifestation has been from my liver cysts.
After an extensive search, I was unable to find a site, a place available for individuals to discover what can be tried to manage
liver cysts. Many individuals have only liver cysts, without a single kidney cyst. This
is called ADPLD, Autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease. At the yearly
PKD conference there has been only one lecture given on liver cysts each year, if that. We have no organization
to turn to for liver cyst information.
QUESTION PKDiet
website has become a gathering of alkaline dietary regime; how did this occur?
ANSWER In
addition to my own observations, other individuals with cystic organs have shared
similar comments and concerns about foods, supplements and chemicals. From this
evolved several list serve support groups for readily exchanging dietary, supplements,
and research information amongst us:
TOPICA for PKD and PLD
http://lists.topica.com/lists/pkd/read
PKDiet BRIDGE a polycystic
bridge connecting health care from your physician to healthy care for yourself
http://groups.google.com/group/pkdiet?hl=en
POLYCYSTIC LIVER DISEASE SUPPORT
for liver cysts http://groups.msn.com/LindasPolycysticLiverDiseaseSupport/home.htm
POLYCYSTIC LIGHT
a place for the heart http://www.mac.com/WebObjects/Groups.woa/wa/afterLogin?cty=US&aff=consumer&lang=en
Send an email if you
wish to join any of these groups. We welcome all participation.
QUESTION How
is the website PKDIET organized?
ANSWER The
site is undergoing a re-design and an updating. Currently it is divided into
groupings:
Topics
Medical Articles
PKD Polycystic Kidney Cyst Information
PLD Polycystic Liver Cyst Information
Research
Recipes Glossary Herbs Foods Resources
Living with Cystic Organs -
Our stories - about living with cystic organs
QUESTION What is the url for PKDiet and
how to contact you?
ANSWER The url is:
http://www.pkdiet.com
To contact us send an email to info@pkdiet.com
last updated
Sunday, July 6, 2008 6:17 PM