A couple of queries.

[fartikins]

What are peoples thoughts on taking apple cider vinegar in water and a product called Chitosan I am ckd 4. Thanks for reading

[Bassetmommer]

HI Fartikins.What are your reasons for taking those items? I do take ACV (powder) in gummies with fiber to help move me along. They are aptly called "Poop like a Champion" They have inulin in them which is also proven very beneficial for CKD. I am not familiar with the use of chitosan for CKD. It is made from shellfish, and everything I read seems to say it is not proven to help with much of anything. So...... why take it?

ACV straight up adds to your potassium load so be careful. That is why I use the gummies that do not raise potassium. I do not actually take them for the ACV, because there is little benefit from the dose in the gummies.

healthline.com/nutrition/ch...

healthline.com/nutrition/ap...

[fartikins in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply.

[RickHow]

No, I would not do this. Not at all. Look at this from the net:"Apple cider vinegar is low in its sodium content. However, it has a considerably high amount of potassium. The vinegar is made up of a diluted version of acetic acid, which could cause accumulation of acid in the body. For a person with CKD or someone undergoing dialysis, this would not be an ideal choice."

Additionally, you say you are stage 4. You therefore must be seeing a kidney doctor and perhaps a dietician. I would run my diet changes past them, but what you propose here (vinegar) seems quite harmful, mostly due to potassium content.

Now I would say the jury is still deliberating about Chitosan. A few studies have been done. Most seem to say it has not done anything harmful to late stage CKD patients, even thouse on dialysis. But the benefits, if any, are still being studied. In fact I was hard pressed to find any recent studies. Most were done in the years 2011 thru 2019. A lot of them on dogs and not humans. I'm not a doctor. I've no clue about this supplement, but it seems to me, if something that was considered beneficial back in 2011, and here we are 11 years later, if it were positive, more doctors would be recommending it, AND more recent studies could produce results.

[fartikins in reply to RickHow]

Hello - thanks for your reply. I have to pick up tips from the internet as I have been diagnosed for 5 months now and still have not seen a renal dietician - still waiting. Thats the UK NHS for you.

[RickHow in reply to fartikins]

Wow, 5 months. If I get a recommendation from any doctor, to see a specialist of any type, I get upset if I have to wait over a week. You probably know the basics for diet change. But I'll mention them. Keep blood pressure in check as best you can. Even a simple 30 minute walk a day will help there. For "diet" keep sodium, Potassium, Phosphorous intake in normal levels. Most foods are packaged showing their content but if not, just look up on the net how much Potassium, etc. Protein is important to keep low. Chicken (no skin), Pork (trim the fat) maybe just once a week for each. Avoid beef in all its forms (ground, roasts, etc., etc.,). I never eat beef more than once every 2 or 3 months. If you take a daily vitamin check the label. Some are too high in Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorous. Keep coffee or tea intake to 3 or less cups per day. Keep hydrated but no need to overdo it, 64 oz per day (including your coffee or tea) is good. A little less is fine. Generally you can check your own hydration level by color of your urine. If it is yellow, or deep yellow (approaching gold color) you are NOT hydrated. If should be, at minimum, a light yellow, almost straw or clear color. If very clear you are over hydrated.

[citruskayaker in reply to RickHow]

All Rick said makes sense to me. However, be aware if you have blood in your urine as that changes the color pattern. No salt or as little as possible will help get rid of excess fluids especially if you have edema. Listen to what your body tells you to find the right hydration. Just don't ask me how to do that (grin).

[RickHow in reply to citruskayaker]

Good point about the blood in urine perhaps causing color changes, of course depending on how much blood.