Vitamins supplements at PKDiet

Acetaminophen	AVOID Acetaminophen
Asprin	AVOID Asprin
Bromelain
Creatine	AVOID Chaparral tea asil. Scientific studies have established that compounds in basil oil have potent antioxidant hence anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-microbial
Chondroitin	Black Cohosh is another alternative herbal treatment called remifemin. Effexor is a better alternative. December 18, 2006 Study SEATTLE -- Black cohosh alone or with other botanical therapies was no better than placebo at relieving hot flashes or other vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, found the Herbal Alternatives for Menopause trial. It has been used for hot flashes in breast cancer patients with estrogen binding tumors. The cancers did not grow and this relieved a small percentage of hot flashes. Black cohosh contains salicylic (a component of aspirin) and it appears to act as a phytoestrogen. (Others have noticed with soy a potent phytoestrogen, an increase in growth of liver cysts). Black Cohosh suppress luteinizing hormone surges associated with hot flashes in menopausal woman. It is specific for headaches in the late luteal phase associated with low estrogen levels. It has been shown in the animal model that it prevents bone loss. With a lessening of hormone replacement therapy there has been a 7% decline in breast cancer. CAUTION UNKNOWN IF BENEFICIAL I am avoiding black cohosh as it might cause both kidney and liver cysts to grow. I just do not know. A better drug for hot flashes might effexor.
Coral Calcium (Larrea tridentata)	AVOID Chaparral tea is a traditional Native American treatment for cramping pains, joint pains, and allergic problems. Modern research has revealed that Chaparral contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) has potent anti-inflammatory activity. This maybe the ingredient which is toxic to kidneys. J Urol. 1994 Dec: 152(6pt 1):2089-91 . . .acquired renal cystic disease associated with consumption of chaparral tea: a case report. Chaparral also contains antioxidant flavonoids and has demonstrated anti-amoeba activity
Ephedra	AVOID raises blood pressure.
Fluoride	AVOID Clover, especially clover honey. This is to be avoided with liver cysts. In the 1940's, the sheep farmers of Perth in western Australia began to experience an epidemic of still births despite three seasons of exceptionally good weather. The handsome merino sheep looked healthy. However, the ewe's failed to go into labor; the lambs died in still birth and often the mothers as well. In a matter of 5 years, the ewes failed to conceive at all even after repeated breeding with fertile rams. Federal and agricultural specialists found the problem. Clover. Fifteen years earlier, ranchers had imported a clover from the Mediterranean region in Europe. The first
Forskolin	AVOID Patients with PKD should not take any supplement or product that contains forskolin because it may aggravate their condition.
Grape Seed Extract pycnogenol -- OPC's -- procyanidins -- resveratrol	USEFUL for lowering LDL cholesterol, diminishing varicose veins, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), lowering high blood pressure. A recent study shows that a particular polyphenol in red grape skins, resveratrol, inhibits platelet aggregation and is the component responsible for red wine's health benefits. Resveratrol is found in the skin of grapes. To read more about grape seed extract, click here. For more information on grape seed extract click here. Grape Seed extract and Hypertension Cardiovascular researchers at UC Davis, School of Medicine, completed the first human clinical trial to study the benefits of grape seed extract on patients with high blood pressure. The one month study was done on 24 male and female patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of factors that add up to high risk for heart disease, including elevated blood pressure, excess abdominal body weight, high blood cholesterol fats, and high blood sugar. The patients were divided into three groups of eight. The first group received a placebo while the second and third groups received 150 mgs and 300 mgs, respectively, of a grape seed extract developed and made by Polyphenolics, a division of Constellation Wine US. All participants' blood pressure was automatically measured and recorded for 12 hours after grape see extract ingestion. Participants in the two groups receiving grape seed extract experienced an average drop in systolic pressure or 12 mm and diastolic pressure 8 mm compared to placebo. To read more of the complete article, click here.
Glucosamine	CAUTION Some surgeons have noticed complications when taking this herb near the time of surgery. I noticed no effects from taking it. It neither helped me ward off colds or flu nor did it create any ill feeling. It is said to heighten the immune response, caution if you have had a transplant.
Iron	CAUTION very rich in potassium. The leaves are eaten in Virginia lightly sauteed. They are known as mountain greens or forest greens. The brightly colored flowers are bitter when steeped into a tea, but said to be the best antidote for anger, especially if there is an autoimmune mechanism with a disease. CAUTION If you are at the stage where you must restrict potassium.
NSAIDs	AVOID Often called female ginseng. Six different coumadin compounds have been study done in Northern California showed there to be no effect in preventing or helping hot flashes. The essential oil in dong quai contains Ligustilide. This is an anti-spasmodic.
Noni Juice (Morinda citrifolia )	AVOID Noni has had some cases of harm to kidneys according to the growers of noni juice. They suggested with my history of both kidney and liver disease, I avoid noni. Noni is very high in potassium and has been a cause of dangerously high potassium levels. Lemon juice is a great flush, low in potassium, cheaper to obtain, and makes one alkaline. There are several cases in the literature that link noni to inflamed livers (hepatitis). It is considered a liver toxin.
Papain	USEFUL lessens symptoms through alkalinity. Frequently asked questions about potassium citrate. Potas
Parabens	USEFUL If you are prone to gastritis or stomach ulcers raw garlic maybe too harsh for you. Place an entire head of garlic in the oven. Rub extra virgin olive oil over it; slice the top but do not skin it. Allow the garlic to slow roast in the oven, when prepared this way, garlic bakes into a wonderful sweet nutty flavored spread.
Plastic	CAUTION raises blood pressure. GINGER MAY ELEVATE BLOOD PRESSURE & INCREASE ACID STOMACH Though ginger is recommended for motion sickness, a few susceptible individuals have noticed it increases stomach acids. I have ginger tea each morning. It is great for keeping the blood thin and circulating; important for some of us with huge organs pressing against vessels. This prevent clots from forming within vessels troubled with a sluggish blood flow. Ginger is to be stopped two weeks before any expected surgery because it does thin the blood. Raw ginger maybe too harsh if you are prone to stomach ulcers. Sauté´ ginger or braise it in soups or together with a few vegetables. It lends itself nicely to this.
Phenacetin	AVOID Ginkgo biloba is contraindicated in patients who are known risk factors for intracranial hemorrhage. It has been reported to cause intracranial hemorrhage. Ginkgo will increase bleeding time so be wary since the anticoagulant heparin is given during dialysis. Ginkgo is a PAF antagonist which by its action decreases blood flow to the kidneys. A decreased blood flow to the kidneys is what causes renin to be released in Polycystic Kidneys. Renin causes the blood pressure to rise.
Potassium Citrate	USEFUL lessens symptoms through alkalinity. Frequently asked questions about potassium citrate. Potassium citrate, the theory or who ate my ham sandwich?
Protonpump Inhibitors	CAUTION interferes with immunosuppresive drugs and blood pressure medications. Freshly squeezed helps diminish swelling of legs during travel. One grapefruit a day lowers LDL cholesterol. For more information on grapefruit click here.
Remifemin	Remifemin has been used to treat hot flashes. Perhaps, Effexor is a better alternative. December 18, 2006 Study SEATTLE -- Black cohosh alone or with other botanical therapies was no better than placebo at relieving hot flashes or other vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, found the Herbal Alternatives for Menopause trial. It has been used for hot flashes in breast cancer patients with estrogen binding tumors. The cancers did not grow and this relieved a small percentage of hot flashes. Black cohosh contains salicylic (a component of aspirin) and it appears to act as a phytoestrogen. (Others have noticed with soy a potent phytoestrogen, an increase in growth of liver cysts). Black Cohosh suppress luteinizing hormone surges associated with hot flashes in menopausal woman. It is specific for headaches in the late luteal phase associated with low estrogen levels. It has been shown in the animal model that it prevents 7% decline in breast cancer. CAUTION UNKNOWN IF BENEFICIAL I am avoiding black cohosh as it might cause both kidney and liver cysts to grow. I just do not know. A better drug for hot flashes might effexor.
Sambu	BENEFICIAL This is wonderful herb for the cold and flu season. First sign of a sniffle I try elderberry syrup called Sambu©. This is alkaline producing. It maybe wise to stop this two weeks before any surgery as it is high in vitamin C and high doses of vitamin C can cause bleeding tendencies. Elderberry was researched by an Israeli herbalist and found to be the one herb that actually exerts an anti-viral influence.
Silver Fillings Teeth	AVOID mercury
Silymarin	BENEFICIAL Milk thistle plus (milk thistle, turmeric, and artichoke)seems to relieve pain and decrease liver girth and eases any aches surrounding the liver area. Researchers studied the effects of St. John's wort, ginger, echinacea, green tea and milk thistle on the white blood cells and nerve cells of mice. Milk thistle was the only herb that boosted both the immune and nervous systems, helping nerve cells produce more neurites and keeping cells alive longer. Milk thistle (silymarin) has been used since Greco-Roman times as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver problems. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries physicians in the United States used milk thistle seeds to relieve congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Today, several scientific studies suggest that active substances in milk thistle (particularly silymarin) protect the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins, alcohol, and certain drugs such as acetaminophen (a common over the counter medication used for headaches and pain; acetaminophen, also called paracetamol, can cause liver damage if taken in large quantities or by people who drink alcohol regularly.) A comprehensive review by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently identified 16 scientific studies on the use of milk thistle for the treatment of various forms of liver disease. A European standardized extract of milk thistle was used in most of the trials. CANCER Preliminary laboratory studies also suggest that active substances in milk thistle may have anti-cancer effects. One active substance known as silymarin has strong antioxidant properties and has been shown to inhibit the growth of human prostate, breast, and cervical cancer cells in test tubes. More testing is needed. Milk Thistle is a liver healing herb. There are no known drug interactions. Further research is needed to see if it potentiates aspirin intake and if milk thistle has anti-cancer effects. Milk thistle most impressed the medical world when G. Vogel, M.D., used it to save lives in the 1970s. A leading milk thistle researcher, Dr. Vogel brought to his clinic 60 people suffering from severe mushroom poisoning. He gave them a compound called silymarin that was extracted from milk thistle and found that "results ranged from amazing to spectacular," even though most of the people were not treated until a full day after eating the bad mushrooms. Dr. Vogel and other well-known plant researchers, including Hildebert Wagner, Ph.D., have found that the antioxidants in milk thistle called flavonoids are some of the most potent liver-protecting substances known. One important function of antioxidants is to protect the liver against damage from heavy metals and other toxic substances in the air and the food we eat. In case you think that heavy metal exposure is nothing to worry about, consider that more than 600,000 tons of lead are put into the atmosphere every year in the United States alone. Heavy metals are all around us—lead solder in tin cans, lead and cadmium in cigarette smoke, mercury in dental fillings and some cosmetics, and aluminum in antacids. Research conducted in Germany has shown that milk thistle helps protect the liver from drug and heavy metal poisoning. As a result, milk thistle is the basis for a number of German drugs used to treat liver problems. I photographed milk thistle growing in the wild in surrounding my home in the Blueridge Mountains while recuperating from liver resection surgery. For the liver this is BENEFICIAL I was recently informed that milk thistle should be avoided by PKD patients. Not sure of the reasoning behind this. CAUTION Here is a 2008 article that concludes that the pharmacokinetics of silymarin is altered in patients with liver disease. Most individuals with PLD do not have decreased liver functioning. Not sure if this applies. Click here for the article.
Vitamin B5	AVOID Kava kava is toxic to the liver. Two (2) cases of hepatitis with elevated liver enzymes have been reported. The enzymes normalized after stopping the herb; kava interferes with blood clotting. This maybe a problem with those on dialysis. It can cause an increase in bleeding time. Contraindicated in individuals with depression ; it increases the risk of suicide. Contraindicated during pregnancy and in nursing mothers.
Vitamin K	AVOID raises blood pressure. Contains caffeine which increases cyclic AMP which causes kidney cysts to increase.
Xenoestrogens	AVOID raises blood pressure. Licorice gives wild fluctuations to blood pressure and raises blood pressure causing spikes. Licorice root can be chewed to aide in stopping cigarette smoking. Consumption of licorice is believed to aid in healing stomach ulcers. Tea made from licorice and other anti-spasmodic herbs is often taken for menstrual cramps. AVOID Excessive amounts may raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention. Should be avoided during pregnancy and by anyone with high blood pressure, heart or kidney ailments. Many Celestial Seasonings herbal teas contain licorice. It wasn't until a friend pointed this out, that I discovered the reason for blood pressure spikes.