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  • Phosphate is a blood vessel toxin

    High levels of phosphorus in the blood is linked with blood vessel calcification, thickened blood vessel walls, arterial stiffness, and heart damage—and may even cause premature aging.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2012-12-19)

    Tags: Chronic kidney disease

  • Protein intake improves after a switch from standard to nocturnal HD

    After 8 months of nocturnal HD, 15 people who switched from standard in-center HD had significantly higher protein intake. Their phosphate intake rose as well—but their serum phosphate levels did not, even without binders.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2011-11-28)

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  • Dialysis removes Vitamin B6; supplements can help

    A meta-analysis has found 24-56% Vitamin B6 deficiencies, a problem made worse by ESAs, some phosphate binders, and modern dialyzer membranes. B6 supplementation recommendations may need to be updated.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2011-07-26)

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  • No kidding: daily HD has better quality of life than standard in-center HD

    Okay, we're not surprised to find that a meta-analysis of 17 papers comparing daily HD to standard HD found that folks using daily treatment had fewer access problems, better blood pressure control, less LVH, better anemia control, needed fewer phosphate binders—and had better quality of life.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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  • Intensive hemo helps heart health

    After a year of short daily home HD 6 days/week or nocturnal home HD 3.5 nights/week, patients had no change in 24 hour blood pressure vs. controls on standard in-center HD. But those getting "intensive" (longer or more frequent) HD needed fewer blood pressure pills, their left ventricular mass decreased, and they had better phosphate control with fewer binders. Those who stayed on standard HD did worse in each area.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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  • Nocturnal HD normalizes smooth muscle cells

    Blood vessel calcification is an all-too-common problem among people on dialysis. On standard HD, fewer smooth muscle cells grow inside the blood vessels, and more of them die. Switching from standard to nocturnal restored normal cell growth—and also lowered blood pressure, and PTH and phosphate levels.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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