Is Honey Good for Stage 3 Kidney Disease?

An age-old, dietary supplement called honey is occasionally used to treat infections brought on by chronic kidney disease (CKD). There could be advantages to using honey if you have stage 3 renal disease.

One kind of kidney illness is stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Based on the findings of a test known as an eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), which gauges how well the glomeruli—small filters inside your kidneys—are functioning, people are diagnosed with stage 3 chronic kidney disease. According to some CKD patients, honey is helpful. However, there is conflicting scientific data regarding the benefits of honey for CKD.

Honey is used by some patients with stage 3 renal disease. The following are some possible advantages, dangers, and adverse consequences of utilising honey to treat this illness.

Is honey good for stage 3 kidney disease?

Kidney illness in stage 3 cannot be cured with honey.

An animal study conducted in 2023 discovered that taking stingless bee honey orally decreased internal inflammation and worked well to cure acute renal failure brought on by the chemotherapeutic medication cisplatin. However, further human study is required.

Honey of the medical kind may be beneficial for CKD-related infections. Anaemia, iron overload, and food malabsorption are possible causes of infections in patients with stage 3 kidney disease.

Infections may be more common in those with CKD than in those without it. If you also have diabetes or end-stage kidney disease (CKD) that necessitates dialysis or a kidney transplant, this may be particularly true.

Antibiotics are frequently used to treat CKD infections. Antibiotics, however, might not always work. Treatments for infections brought on by bacteria resistant to antibiotics, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), can be challenging.

Individuals with end-stage renal disease are more likely than those in stage 3 to have infections resistant to antibiotics.

How does honey work?

Sterilised honey of medical quality can be used as a topical treatment for skin infections, including burns and wounds. There is strong experimental support that honey can treat infections linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a 2015 assessment of studies. However, the review's clinical trials produced erratic or contradictory findings.

Many people, including medical professionals, have embraced the use of medical-grade, sterilised honey for wound treatment despite the conflicting data that is now available. The following explains why stage 3 kidney cancer infections could benefit from honey treatment:

• There is no bacterial resistance promoted by honey.
• Honey possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory qualities.
• By depriving bacteria of the water necessary for growth, it prevents bacterial growth. (Manuka honey is believed to have higher levels of antibacterial and polyphenolic chemicals than other honey varieties.)
• Honey forms a protective layer over wounds, keeping the affected area moist as it heals.
• Micronutrients found in honey also support the healing process.

Are there risks of taking honey for stage 3 kidney disease?

See a doctor before taking honey for an illness if you have kidney disease, particularly if you also have diabetes. Methylglyoxal, an antibiotic found in manuka honey, has the potential to induce cytotoxicity, or cell death, in diabetic wounds.

Due to its sugar content and potential to raise blood sugar levels, honey should also be avoided by those who have diabetes.

Avoid applying food-grade honey on wounds or exposed skin regions if you have stage 3 renal disease. Unsterilized honey might contain the harmful bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can result in botulism poisoning.

Are there side effects from taking honey for stage 3 kidney disease?

Adverse reactions to honey are rare. However, if you are sensitive to honey or pollen, or suspect that you could be allergic, you should not use it topically or internally. The following are typical side symptoms of a honey allergy:

• watery eyes
• hives
• sneezing or runny nose
• itchy throat
• swelling

An allergy to honey can potentially result in serious adverse effects, such as anaphylaxis.

How do you take honey for stage 3 kidney disease?

Food-grade honey shouldn't be applied to exposed skin, such as foot ulcers, as was previously noted. If you have stage 3 renal disease and want to use honey for infections, seek medical-grade honey dressings, lotions, or gels that are intended for topical use. Manuka honey is often used in combination with other substances. Use the product as directed by the manufacturer.

Consult a medical practitioner before applying honey as a remedy for germs. Stronger treatment may be necessary for your infection. Additionally, inform your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• a wound that gets worse or doesn't heal
• pus or oozing
• swelling
• red streaks
• fever

Who should not take honey for stage 3 kidney disease?

A 2014 study's findings support the use of honey in the treatment of diabetic sores. However, consult a healthcare provider before using honey as a remedy if you have diabetic ulcers. Diabetes-related wounds can be difficult to heal and take a while to heal. The optimum care plan for your healing can be developed in collaboration with your healthcare provider.

If you have an allergy to honey, avoid using it topically or orally.

Takeaway

Research suggests that applying medical-grade, sterilised manuka honey to chronic kidney disease infections is beneficial.

A little amount of research suggests that stingless bee honey consumption could help prevent acute kidney damage brought on by some chemotherapy medications. These findings are based on trials conducted on animals.

Honey should not be used in place of prescription drugs that your doctor has recommended. Make sure to utilise items made especially for this purpose, rather than using food-grade honey, if you want to attempt using honey on chronic kidney disease wounds.