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The Kidney Stone Page |
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ENZYME
THERAPY
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For years, natural health practitioners have recommended enzyme supplementation for people suffering
from chronic conditions. For more information about why, click here.
In his friendly and thorough book, The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy, Dr. Anthony J. Cichoke, a
specialist in enzyme research and health care, explains how enzymes can help with a wide variety of
ailments, including kidney stones. He writes:
“Fruits and vegetables (particularly green vegetables) should comprise over 60 percent of your diet. If your body cannot tolerate raw fruits and vegetables, increase your intake of digestive enzymes. . .”
He further recommends an enzyme complex supplement for kidney stone sufferers “to reduce pain, swelling
and inflammation in the kidneys and to stimulate the immune system . . .. Enzymes improve circulation,
help speed tissue repair, bring nutrients to the damaged area, remove waste products, improve health,
strengthen the body as a whole, and build good resistance.”
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In addition, brand-new research has suggested that enzyme therapy may be important in preventing new stones. In 1998, The National Institute of Health granted researchers at the University of Florida a million dollars to evaluate enzyme therapy for preventing calcium oxalate kidney stones. Milton Allison, a professor of microbiology, immunology and preventive medicine at Iowa State University, discovered that a certain beneficial bacterium, Oxalobacter formigenes, is deficient and often missing in the intestines of calcium oxalate kidney stone patients. This bacterium breaks down oxalate, also called oxalic acid (an abundant compound in many foods and a byproduct of digestion) before it can bind with calcium to form crystals that turn into kidney stones.
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Working with laboratory animals, Ammon Peck, a professor of pathology at the University of Florida College of Medicine, and his associates, attempted to recolonize the friendly bacterium in test animals, but the organisms did not grow properly. However, enzyme supplementation allowed the bacterium to grow back well. The researchers suggest that daily enzyme treatment may prevent kidney stone formation. In addition, Dr. Peck found that giving laboratory animals a pill containing enzymes before and after meals successfully reduces oxalate levels.
Although nobody knows for sure why stone sufferers are deficient in this friendly bacterium, the researchers have suggested that antibiotic overuse may be the culprit. Studying cystic fibrosis patients with kidney stones, each of whom lacked O. formigenes, they discovered that all had received extensive antibiotic treatment, including powerful antibiotics.
A Florida-based laboratory, Ixion Biotechnology, co-founded by Dr. Peck to research methods for helping sufferers of kidney stones and diabetes, is also investigating enzyme treatment in conjunction with the University of Florida study. A recent study by Ixion has shown that daily enzyme treatment may prevent kidney stone formation.
This research is extremely exciting, although it is still new and not totally conclusive. However, enzyme supplementation is safe. For years natural practitioners and doctors have been recommending enzyme supplements for patients with many chronic conditions, including kidney stones. Since the University of Florida research points so strongly to enzyme supplementation as a way
to help prevent stones, it might be a good approach to try.
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This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
If you need medical attention, consult your health care professional.
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