The kidneys may be the weak link in the chain when it comes to problems with blood pressure and blood sugar, which are at epidemic levels in America. Nutrients that help protect the kidneys are likely to save untold health misery for potentially millions of people. A new study by University of Arkansas researchers shows that gamma tocotrienol has potent kidney-protecting properties.

Free radicals from toxins and inflammatory compounds damage the kidneys when antioxidants are lacking, which is a major problem in overweight people whose antioxidant defense system is generally compromised.

In this experiment kidney cells were exposed to a toxic compound that generated 300% increase in free radicals. As a result energy production in these cells was compromised by 65% and half the cells suffered serious damage. Treatment with gamma tocotrienol drastically reduced the production of free radicals, maintained energy production in the face of toxic stress, and reduced overall damage to 13%.

The researchers concluded that gamma tocotrienol “may prove therapeutically valuable to prevent renal injury associated with oxidative stress.” Since this is a common problems facing millions that is good news indeed.

Other nutrients I like that have been proven to protect the kidneys include grape seed extract, silymarin, r alpha lipoic acid, carnosine, magnesium, and Q10.



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