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Hypertension And Kidney Health: How Ayurveda Can Help Manage The Same
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a significant risk factor for kidney health as the kidneys play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure, so when hypertension goes unchecked, it can lead to kidney damage. Ayurvedic experts insist that Ayurveda approaches the management of hypertension and kidney health with a holistic perspective, focusing on balance and natural remedies.
Hypertension and kidney health: How Ayurveda can help manage the same (File Photo) In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Arun Pillai, Wellness Director at Dharana, shared, "In Ayurveda, the human body is perceived as an intricate interplay of energies known as doshas, with Vata, Pitta, and Kapha being the primary ones. In the context of hypertension and kidney health, Ayurvedic practitioners frequently observe an excessive Pitta dosha imbalance. Pitta is closely linked to heat and transformative processes within the body. When there's an excess of Pitta, it can lead to inflammation and place added stress on the kidneys, which can contribute to the development or exacerbation of hypertension."
He explained, "One of the fundamental principles in Ayurveda for managing hypertension is through diet and lifestyle modifications. We emphasise the importance of a balanced diet that includes cooling and soothing foods to pacify the Pitta dosha. This might include incorporating foods like cucumber, watermelon, and coconut water into one's diet while reducing or avoiding spicy and salty foods that can aggravate hypertension. Herbal remedies also play a crucial role in Ayurvedic management of hypertension and kidney health. Herbs like Brahmi, Arjuna, and Gokshura have been traditionally used to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and support kidney function. These herbs can be prepared in various forms, such as teas or capsules, under the guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner."
Dr Arun Pillai elaborated, "Another essential aspect of Ayurveda is stress management. Chronic stress is a common trigger for hypertension and can adversely affect kidney health. Ayurveda recommends practices like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises to calm the mind and reduce stress levels. At Dharana, we offer specialised wellness programs that incorporate these practices to help guests manage their hypertension and support kidney health. Detoxification is another critical component of Ayurvedic treatment for hypertension and kidney health. Panchakarma, a purification therapy, is often recommended to remove toxins from the body and improve overall well-being. It can aid in reducing the burden on the kidneys and promote their optimal function. Ayurveda is a personalised system of medicine. A qualified Ayurvedic practitioner will assess an individual's unique constitution, imbalances, and specific health concerns to tailor a treatment plan accordingly. This personalised approach ensures that the treatment aligns with the individual's needs and helps manage hypertension while supporting kidney health effectively."
Dr Amit Verma, Founder of Vrikshakalpa Ayurveda, said, "Millions of individuals throughout the world are afflicted by hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure. It poses a significant risk for a variety of cardiovascular conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, hypertension may worsen kidney health and increase the risk of kidney failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ayurveda offers holistic approaches to managing both hypertension and kidney health."
He highlighted the ways in which hypertension can impact kidney health -
Dr Amit Verma echoed that Ayurveda offers a comprehensive approach to managing hypertension and promoting kidney health. According to him, the key principles and Ayurvedic remedies include -
He asserted, "Ayurveda plays a significant role in managing hypertension and promoting kidney health. However, it's crucial to consult with healthcare professionals and use Ayurvedic treatments in conjunction with conventional medical care for the best results. Ayurveda's personalized and holistic approach can be a valuable addition to the overall management of hypertension and kidney health."
Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Puneet, Founder Director at Karma Ayurveda, said, "Hypertension or high blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney disease and kidney failure. An often-ignored way for the management of hypertension and the preservation of kidney health lies in Ayurveda. Yes, the integration of Ayurveda into nephrology opens up a world of possibilities for understanding and addressing the intricate relationship between hypertension and kidney health. Ayurveda, an ancient healing system that has stood the test of time, emphasizes the importance of balance in the body, mind, and spirit. This balance is fundamental to maintaining good health, and it lies at the heart of Ayurvedic approaches to managing hypertension and promoting kidney well-being."
He revealed, "One of Ayurveda's primary tenets is that each person is unique, and so the treatment of no two people can be the same. An Ayurvedic practitioner, therefore, recognises various body constitutions or 'doshas,' and tailors treatments accordingly. This individualised approach keeps the patient's specific needs in mind, making Ayurveda a highly personalized form of care. Diet plays a pivotal role in Ayurveda, and it can be a powerful tool in managing hypertension and preserving kidney health. Ayurvedic dietary recommendations often focus on reducing sodium intake and incorporating foods and spices known for their blood pressure-lowering properties. Ayurveda also underlines stress management. Chronic stress is a well-known contributor to hypertension, and Ayurveda encourages stress-reducing techniques like meditation and Yoga to help people tackle stress effectively. By calming the mind and reducing stress, we can indirectly alleviate the strain on the kidneys and promote overall well-being."
Dr Puneet concluded, "Herbal remedies are another cornerstone of Ayurveda. Herbs like Gokshura and Punarnava are known for their diuretic properties and their ability to support kidney function. As they help keep fluid overload in check, they also have heart-protective function. Ayurveda treatment tends to lower blood resistance and counters bad cholesterol levels effectively stabilising heart dynamics. These natural interventions can alone or in combination with conventional medical treatments help mitigate the progression of kidney disease. While Ayurveda offers a holistic and personalized approach to managing hypertension and kidney health, it is important to consume any type of medication or herb under the supervision of a registered Ayurvedic practitioner only."
Novo Nordisk Strikes Deal For Late-Stage Hypertension & Kidney Disease Drug
Novo Nordisk has again turned to dealmaking to expand its pipeline, but rather than adding yet another weight loss drug prospect the company is acquiring a molecule that's a potential treatment for uncontrolled hypertension and chronic kidney disease.
The Danish pharmaceutical giant has agreed to buy ocedurenone, a drug that KBP Biosciences has advanced to Phase 3 testing. Specific financial details, such as an upfront payment and milestones, were not disclosed Monday, but Novo Nordisk said it could end up paying out up to $1.3 billion.
The target of KBP's drug is the mineralocorticoid receptor, whose overactivation is associated with hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Drugs are already available that block this receptor, including Bayer's Kerendia, which won its FDA nod in 2021 for treating chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Novo Nordisk and KBP say some mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists increase the risk of hyperkalemia, in which elevated potassium levels in the blood can lead to muscle weakness, paralysis, cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Hyperkalemia is a rare but known side effect risk of Kerendia. Singapore-based KBP describes its small molecule as a third-generation of mineralocorticoid receptor-blocking drugs, bringing a high affinity to that receptor as well as a long half-life. The company contends its once-daily oral drug has potential best-in-class safety and efficacy.
Uncontrolled hypertension is defined as a patient continuing to have high blood pressure despite two or more blood pressure-lowering treatments. In a Phase 2b study that enrolled patients with stage 3b/4 chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled hypertension, results showed the KBP drug met the main goal of showing a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure compared to baseline measures. Furthermore, no cases of severe hyperkalemia or acute kidney injury were reported.
The clinical trial results were published in 2021 in Hypertension, a journal of the American Heart Association. Last year, KBP began a global Phase 3 test of ocedurenone with a targeted enrollment of more than 600 patients who have uncontrolled hypertension and advanced chronic kidney disease. Novo Nordisk expects to start Phase 3 studies in additional cardiovascular and kidney disease indications in coming years to fully realize its new asset's potential.
"Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular events, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and premature death," Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president and head of development at Novo Nordisk said in a prepared statement. "With its expected benefit-risk profile, ocedurenone has best-in-class potential in treating uncontrolled hypertension and could help address a major unmet medical need in people living with cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease."
Novo Nordisk expects to close its acquisition of KBP's ocedurenone by the end of the year. It's the latest in a string of deals the Danish pharma giant has made as it continues its strategy of diversifying beyond diabetes. Over the summer, Novo Nordisk reached deals to acquire Inversago Pharma and Embark Biotech, each offering a different approach to weight loss medications. Three weeks ago, Novo Nordisk paid $60 million up front to acquire three preclinical cardiovascular programs that Valo Health discovered with its artificial intelligence technology platform.
Photo: Liselotte Sabroe/Scanpix Denmark/AFP, via Getty Images
Kidney Failure
Renal failure or kidney failure (formerly called renal insufficiency) describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood. The two forms are acute (acute kidney injury) and chronic (chronic kidney disease); a number of other diseases or health problems may cause either form of renal failure to occur.
Renal failure is described as a decrease in glomerular filtration rate. Biochemically, renal failure is typically detected by an elevated serum creatinine level. Problems frequently encountered in kidney malfunction include abnormal fluid levels in the body, deranged acid levels, abnormal levels of potassium, calcium, phosphate, and (in the longer term) anemia as well as delayed healing in broken bones. Depending on the cause, hematuria (blood loss in the urine) and proteinuria (protein loss in the urine) may occur. Long-term kidney problems have significant repercussions on other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.
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