CKD Commandos: Your Kidney's Elite Navy SEALs! 🩺🫀

Ahoy there, matey! 🏴‍☠️

Is your ship (body) under attack by the scurvy scoundrel known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)? ☠️🫀

Well, batten down the hatches and prepare to unleash your secret weapon: hydrogen! 💧💣

You see, just like a ship needs regular maintenance to navigate the treacherous seas, your kidneys need special care to ward off the pirates of CKD. 🚢⚓ [1]

And hydrogen-rich water is like a Navy SEAL team for your kidneys, swooping in to neutralize the threats and protect your precious cargo (health). 🩺🫀 [2]

Studies have shown that sipping on this miracle molecule can:

• ⚔️ Reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, the dastardly duo that can sink your kidney function [3][4]
  💪
  
  

• Improve blood flow and oxygenation to your kidney tissues, helping them function at full mast [5][6]
  🛡️
   
  

• Protect against cell death and fibrosis, the silent saboteurs that can lead to kidney failure [7][8]

So, how can you tell if CKD has infiltrated your body? 🔍🩺

Here are the typical stages of kidney function, based on your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate):

Stage 1 (Normal): eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73m² [9]


Stage 2 (Mild): eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73m² [9]


Stage 3a (Mild-Moderate): eGFR 45-59 mL/min/1.73m² [9]


Stage 3b (Moderate-Severe): eGFR 30-44 mL/min/1.73m² [9]


Stage 4 (Severe): eGFR 15-29 mL/min/1.73m² [9]


Stage 5 (Kidney Failure): eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73m² [9]

And here are 8 crucial tests that can help you and your doc determine the severity of your CKD:

1. Serum creatinine and eGFR - the gold standards for assessing kidney function 🥇🩸 [10]
   
   

2. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) - detects protein leakage, an early warning sign of kidney damage 🚰🍳 [11]
   
   

3. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) - checks how well your kidneys are filtering out waste products 🗑️🩸 [12]
   
   

4. Electrolyte panel - measures key minerals like sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate to ensure proper balance ⚖️⚗️ [13]
   
   

5. Hemoglobin A1c - screens for diabetes, a major risk factor for CKD 🍬📏 [14]
   
   

6. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) - assesses calcium and phosphorus metabolism, often disrupted in CKD 🦴🔬 [15]
   
   

7. Kidney ultrasound or CT scan - provides images of your kidney structure and checks for abnormalities 📷🩹 [16][17]
   
   

8. Kidney biopsy - the ultimate diagnostic tool that examines kidney tissue under a microscope 🔬🩸 [18]

But even if you're facing down the barrel of CKD, there's still hope on the horizon! 🌅🙏

Cutting-edge treatments like stem cell therapy are showing promise in regenerating damaged kidney tissue and improving function. 🧬🔬 [19][20][21]

And simply cutting out alcohol and adopting a kidney-friendly diet low in sodium, phosphorus, and protein can work wonders in preserving your precious filtration system. 🍽️🫒 [22][23][24][25][26][27][28]

So, don't let CKD take the wind out of your sails! 💨⛵

With the power of hydrogen and a savvy team of kidney commandos (nephrologists) by your side, you can chart a course to calmer waters and a healthier future. 🗺️💧

To your kidney's resilience,

Mens Health Secrets
–Live Past 100

P.S. Want to discover how hydrogen can help keep your heart beating strong and your blood vessels ship-shape? ❤️🩸 Keep an eye out for my next dispatch, where we'll dive into the cardio-protective powers of this mighty molecule! 👀💌

P.P.S. Remember, matey, knowledge is power! Expand your arsenal of health wisdom by exploring the vast treasure trove of studies on https://hydrogenstudies.com/topics/. 🗺️💎

P.P.P.S. Boring disclaimer: Always check with your doctor... before you start any new health protocol or treatment. This includes any recommendations from our newsletter (Mens Health Secrets). This information is for entertainment and educational purposes only... and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Mens Health Secrets is not legally responsible for any actions you do... or not do from reading our newsletter. Sorry... had to say this legal stuff. 😴📜

P.P.P.P.S. >>> Go here to subscribe to our Mens Health Secrets YouTube Channel if you haven't yet…. leave a comment… and level up your Mens Health knowledge to live longer. 📺💬🧠

Medical References:

[1] Lin YT, Lu JW, Ho YJ, Lui SW, Hsieh TY, Wang KY, Liu FC. Molecular Hydrogen as a Potential Adjunctive Therapy to Improve Renal Function and Reduce Fatigue in an Elderly Patient With Chronic Comorbidities: A Case Report. In Vivo. 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):572-576. https://doi.org/10.21873/invivo.13862. PMID: 39740897; PMCID: PMC11705128.

[2] Ichihara M., Sobue S., Ito M., Ito M., Hirayama M., Ohno K. Beneficial biological effects and the underlying mechanisms of molecular hydrogen - comprehensive review of 321 original articles. Med. Gas Res. 2015;5:12. doi: 10.1186/s13618-015-0035-1. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13618-015-0035-1]. [PMID: 26483953].

[3] Ohta S. Molecular hydrogen as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas: initiation, development and potential of hydrogen medicine. Pharmacol. Ther. 2014;144(1):1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.04.006. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.04.006]. [PMID: 24769081].

[4] Kuo, D.-Y., Wang, Y.-C., Chou, P.-H., Lai, C.-W., Tung, F.-I., & Liu, T.-Y. (2024). Therapeutic Potential of Hydrogen as a Radioprotective Agent for the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis. Antioxidants, 13(12), 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13121475

[5] Hou, C., Peng, Y., Qin, C., Fan, F., Liu, J., & Long, J. (2018). Hydrogen-rich water improves cognitive impairment gender-dependently in APP/PS1 mice without affecting Aβ clearance. Free Radical Research, 52(11-12), 1311-1322. https://doi.org/10.1080/10715762.2018.1460749

[6] Nakayama M, Kabayama S, Miyazaki M. Application of Electrolyzed Hydrogen Water for Management of Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis Treatment-Perspective View. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024 Jan 11;13(1):90. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13010090. PMID: 38247514; PMCID: PMC10812465.

[7] Guan P, Sun ZM, Luo LF, Zhou J, Yang S, Zhao YS, Yu FY, An JR, Wang N, Ji ES. Hydrogen protects against chronic intermittent hypoxia induced renal dysfunction by promoting autophagy and alleviating apoptosis. Life Sci. 2019 May 15;225:46-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2019.04.005. Epub 2019 Apr 2. PMID: 30951745.

[8] Zhaoyu Xing, Wanma Pan, Jing Zhang, Xianlin Xu, Xuemei Zhang, Xiaozhou He, Min Fan, Hydrogen Rich Water Attenuates Renal Injury and Fibrosis by Regulation Transforming Growth Factor-β Induced Sirt1, Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2017, Volume 40, Issue 5, Pages 610-615, Released on J-STAGE May 01, 2017, Online ISSN 1347-5215, Print ISSN 0918-6158, https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.b16-00832

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[10] National Kidney Foundation. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Am J Kidney Dis. 2002 Feb;39(2 Suppl 1):S1-266. PMID: 11904577. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11904577/

[11] Tuttle, K.R., Bakris, G.L., Bilous, R.W., Chiang, J.L., De Boer, I.H., Goldstein-Fuchs, J., ... & Molitch, M.E. (2014). Diabetic kidney disease: a report from an ADA Consensus Conference. Diabetes Care, 37(10), 2864-2883. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-1296

[12] Johnson, D.W., Jones, G.R., Mathew, T.H., Ludlow, M.J., Chadban, S.J., Usherwood, T., ... & Polkinghorne, K. (2012). Chronic kidney disease and measurement of albuminuria or proteinuria: a position statement. Medical Journal of Australia, 197(4), 224-225. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja11.11468

[13] Dhondup T, Qian Q. Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Kidney Failure. Blood Purif. 2017;43(1-3):179-188. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28114143/. Epub 2017 Jan 24. PMID: 28114143.

[14] Vassalotti, J.A., Centor, R., Turner, B.J., Greer, R.C., Choi, M., & Sequist, T.D. (2016). A practical approach to detection and management of chronic kidney disease for the primary care clinician. The American Journal of Medicine, 129(2), 153-162. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26391748/

[15] Ketteler M, Block GA, Evenepoel P, Fukagawa M, Herzog CA, McCann L, Moe SM, Shroff R, Tonelli MA, Toussaint ND, Vervloet MG, Leonard MB. Executive summary of the 2017 KDIGO Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD) Guideline Update: what's changed and why it matters. Kidney Int. 2017 Jul;92(1):26-36. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28646995/

[16] O'Neill, W.C. (2014). Renal relevant radiology: use of ultrasound in kidney disease and nephrology procedures. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 9(2), 373-381. https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.03170313

[17] Moghazi S, Jones E, Schroepple J, Arya K, McClellan W, Hennigar RA, O'Neill WC. Correlation of renal histopathology with sonographic findings. Kidney Int. 2005 Apr;67(4):1515-20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15780105/. PMID: 15780105.

[18] Hogan, J.J., Mocanu, M., & Berns, J.S. (2016). The native kidney biopsy: update and evidence for best practice. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 11(2), 354-362. https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.05750515

[19] Hickson LJ, Eirin A, Lerman LO. Challenges and opportunities for stem cell therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int. 2016 Apr;89(4):767-78. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26924058/. Epub 2016 Jan 26. PMID: 26924058; PMCID: PMC4801657.

[20] Humphreys BD, Bonventre JV. The contribution of adult stem cells to renal repair. Nephrol Ther. 2007 Mar;3(1):3-10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17383586/. Epub 2007 Feb 22. PMID: 17383586.

[21] Bussolati B, Hauser PV, Carvalhosa R, Camussi G. Contribution of stem cells to kidney repair. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2009 Jan;4(1):2-8. https://doi.org/10.2174/157488809787169129. PMID: 19149624.

[22] Ko, G.J., Obi, Y., Tortorici, A.R., & Kalantar-Zadeh, K. (2017). Dietary protein intake and chronic kidney disease. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 20(1), 77-85. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000000342

[23] Rysz, J., Franczyk, B., Ciałkowska-Rysz, A., & Gluba-Brzózka, A. (2017). The effect of diet on the survival of patients with chronic kidney disease. Nutrients, 9(5), 495. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9050495

[24] Bundy, J. D., Bazzano, L. A., Xie, D., Cohan, J., Dolata, J., Fink, J. C., ... & He, J. (2018). Self-Reported Tobacco, Alcohol, and Illicit Drug Use and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 13(7), 993-1001. https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.11121017.

[25] Cheungpasitporn, W., Thongprayoon, C., Kittanamongkolchai, W., Brabec, B. A., O'Corragain, O. A., Edmonds, P. J., & Erickson, S. B. (2015). High alcohol consumption and the risk of renal damage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 108(7), 539-548. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcu247.

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[28] Kronborg, J., Solbu, M., Njølstad, I., Toft, I., Eriksen, B. O., & Jenssen, T. (2008). Predictors of change in estimated GFR: a population-based 7-year follow-up from the Tromsø study. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 23(9), 2818-2826. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfn148.