Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 19, 2025 3 hours, 47 minutes ago
Medical News: A Natural Remedy for Kidney Health?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing global health concern, affecting millions worldwide. Conventional treatments help manage the condition but often fail to reverse kidney damage. However, scientists are now exploring natural alternatives, and one fruit, the maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis), has caught their attention for its potential kidney-protective effects.
Maqui Berries and Their Potential to Protect Kidney Health
A team of researchers from Universidad Finis Terrae in Chile, Universidad Metropolitana en Ciencias de la Educación in Chile, and Clínica Indisa in Santiago conducted a comprehensive review on the benefits of maqui berries, particularly their rich content of anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This
Medical News report explores their findings and what they could mean for people living with CKD.
The Role of Oxidative Stress in Kidney Disease
CKD is a progressive condition characterized by declining kidney function. One of the key drivers of this deterioration is oxidative stress, which occurs when harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate in the body. Excess ROS can damage kidney cells, leading to inflammation and fibrosis (scarring of the kidneys).
Traditional treatments for CKD focus on managing symptoms, controlling blood pressure, and regulating blood sugar levels, especially in diabetic patients. However, these treatments often do not fully prevent kidney function decline. As a result, researchers are exploring the potential of natural antioxidants, such as anthocyanins found in maqui berries, to help slow disease progression.
What Are Anthocyanins and How Do They Help?
Anthocyanins are a class of powerful antioxidants found in many berries, but maqui berries have particularly high concentrations. These compounds have been shown to reduce oxidative stress, decrease inflammation, and improve blood sugar regulation - factors that are all crucial in the management of CKD.
The researchers reviewed studies on maqui berries and found that preclinical trials (tests done in lab settings and on animals) suggest that these antioxidants may help protect kidney function by:
-Reducing oxidative stress - Anthocyanins neutralize ROS, preventing them from damaging kidney cells.
-Lowering inflammation - By suppressing inflammatory molecules like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), anthocyanins may reduce chronic inflammation in CKD patients.
-Preventing fibrosis - Kidney scarring is a major cause of CKD progression, and studies suggest that anthocyanins may slow down this process.
-Improving metabolism - Some human trials indicate that anthocyanins can help regulate blood sugar and lipid levels, which are often disrupte
d in CKD patients.
The Challenges of Bioavailability
While maqui berries show promise, one major challenge is bioavailability - how well the body absorbs and utilizes anthocyanins. Studies indicate that these compounds break down quickly during digestion, reducing their effectiveness. Researchers are now investigating ways to improve absorption, such as using concentrated extracts or combining anthocyanins with other natural compounds that enhance their stability.
Are There Any Human Studies?
Although preclinical studies have shown encouraging results, human trials are still limited. Some small-scale clinical studies have suggested that anthocyanins can improve kidney function markers, but larger, long-term studies are needed to confirm these benefits in CKD patients.
Despite the need for more research, experts believe that incorporating anthocyanin-rich foods, like maqui berries, into a balanced diet may provide additional support for kidney health.
Future Research and Implications
The researchers concluded that maqui berries hold significant potential as a complementary therapy for CKD. However, they caution that more high-quality human studies are necessary to determine the optimal dosage, long-term effects, and safety of maqui supplementation in kidney disease patients.
If future clinical trials confirm these findings, maqui berries could become a valuable addition to CKD treatment plans, offering a natural way to combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Until then, patients should consult their healthcare providers before taking maqui supplements or making significant dietary changes.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Nutrients.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/6/1058
For the latest on Herbs and Phytochemicals, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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