Chronic kidney failure due to diabetes

Patel K, Gupta SN, Shah N. Effect of Ayurvedic management in 130 patients of diabetic nephropathy. Ayu. 2011;32(1):55-58.

Diabetic nephropathy is a specific form of kidney disease and a major cause of chronic renal failure. The present study was conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, which may help to reduce the need for dialysis and avoid or delay renal transplantation.

A total of 130 patients with this disease were treated. Ayurvedic formulations (Gokshuradi Guggulu, Bhumyamalaki, Vasa and Shilajatvadi Vati) were administered to all patients for 2 months.

Group A patients were treated as inpatients and were also given special Ayurvedic diet. Group B was treated as outpatients without review of dietary habits.

Results: Group A patients showed highly significant reduction in serum creatinine, blood urea and urinary albumin excretion levels. Group A patients were also found to have a significant improvement in general physical well-being. In group B without dietary modification as per Ayurvedic recommendations, no significant improvement in symptomatology and renal retention parameters was noted.

This shows the importance of holistic treatment for Ayurvedic management of the disease. Multimodal Ayurvedic treatment and especially dietary modification as per Ayurvedic guidelines could give new hope to the patients with diabetic nephropathy.