Flora may be health promoting and supportive for patients with chronic kidney disease or poor kidney function.

Research on the clinical significance and possible health benefits of probiotics continues to emerge as holistic clinicians increasingly turn their attention to the therapeutic value of functional flora formulas.  In this original research study appearing in Advances in Therapy, an international peer-reviewed journal, investigators published their findings of a 6-month, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a selected group of probiotics administered to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3 and 4.  In the United States alone, note the authors,, kidney disease ranks fourth among major diseases, affecting over 20 million individuals.

Owing to the growing awareness of the wide spread, potential health benefits of probiotics – such as modulating immune function and elimination of toxins – researchers hypothesized that probiotics would have a “stabilizing and beneficial effect on the quality of life (QOL)” of participants in this trial.  Moreover, they hypothesized that due to the kidney’s inability to filter waste metabolites in persons with CKD, oral administration of probiotics may help by removing waste metabolites that diffuse into the bowel.  QOL was assessed via a subjective questionnaire while biochemical levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and uric acid were taken.  The trial was conducted in four countries and included 46 out patients. 

The flora formula administered 3 times a day with meals included a mix of Lactobacilli acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum and Streptococcus thermophilus reaching a daily dose of 90 billion CFU per day.  Notably, this mix at 90 billion CFU per day was safe and well tolerated in all subjects.  BUN levels decreased in 29 of 46 subjects, creatine levels decreased in 20 of 46 and uric acid levels lowered in 15 of 46 patients.  The latter two measures were not statistically significant reductions, though BUN reductions were signifiacant at P <0.05.  Also significant was the observation that 85% of subjects reported an improved QOL, which Ranganathan, N. et al describe as a “strong stimulus to further evaluate the concept that the bowel may partially substitute for missing kidney function when “activated” with probiotic bacteria.”  Due to the significant reduction of BUN, enhanced well-being and absence of adverse effects researchers conclude by supporting the use of these flora for support in the elimination of toxins in the bowels due to impaired kidney function.

Study: Ranganathan, N., et al, Adv Ther 27(9): 634-647 (2010)