Liquorice and Potassium Levels in Dialysis Patients

[Stu]

I find this really interesting. I've not heard of this anywhere. I only discovered it by trying to google how much potassium there is in liquorice.

Anybody using this?

"Recent studies have shown that licorice contains an active compound called glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), that actually helps lower the serum potassium levels in anuremic (no longer producing urine) dialysis patients."

More: http://www.therenalunit.com/can-liquorice-lower-potassium-levels-in-dialysis-patients/

[kickingandscreaming]

Very interesting.  I've always avoided licorice because I hate the taste, but i always justified avoiding it because it is known to raise blood pressure.  That's help I don't need.  I do here that there is a drug in the offing called patiromer (sp?) that acts like Renvela et al (sevelemer).  I'd always rather find a natural way of doing something than a drug, but not all natural things are safe for everyone.

[talker]

I find this really interesting. I've not heard of this anywhere. I only discovered it by trying to google how much potassium there is in liquorice.

Anybody using this?

"Recent studies have shown that licorice contains an active compound called glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), that actually helps lower the serum potassium levels in anuremic (no longer producing urine) dialysis patients."

More: http://www.therenalunit.com/can-liquorice-lower-potassium-levels-in-dialysis-patients/

Much of what is sold as licorice candy, is not the real  stuff.  Buying and using the herb is another story.
Regardless, one must watch and test both electrolytes for depletion, Sodium and Potassium, as they can both be affected by the herb.

[Stu]

Much of what is sold as licorice candy, is not then real  stuff.  Buying and using the herb is another story.
Regardless, one must watch and test both electrolytes for depletion, Sodium and Potassium, as they can both be affected by the herb.

You're right Talker. I'm just surprised at how small the trials were and the fact that there doesn't seem to be any new trials. If this is something that can improve the life of dialysis patients, surely more wide ranging trials are appropriate?

If this can be distilled down into tablet form, to be used by patients whose diets are consistently moving them into the danger range (K+ >5.5), but have good sodium levels, there's a benefit to everybody, no?

The current method we have to try to get patient's K+ down sucks (Resonium), and only works well if taken BEFORE the food is digested, as it binds the K+ in the stomach much the same as phosphate binders, but doesn't remove it well from the blood. Plus Resonium is horrible and gritty and adds to your fluid intake.

[Charlie B53]

Daughter hates the black jelly beans, loves all the other flavors.  Whenever she goes on a binge she bags up the blacks and gives them to me.  I like them but only have a couple, that 'moderation' thing.  I have learned that  two or three will calm an upset stomach.  Not only mine but I've given them to G'sons whenever they were nauseated, worked  fine.


I would like to know more about possibly using them to reduce phosphorous.  There may be something to this that could be quite helpful to those that tolerate the taste.

[cassandra]

In the Netherlands we eat a lot of licorice, including the real stuff from health food shops etc. So I'm always well stocked up on that real stuff.  When my bp was low after D or whenever, I used to take some. Never raised my K+ but did nothing for my BP either.

[Charlie B53]

Other than the candies, I woldn't have the slightest idea what other forms it is found and how it could be used. 

Yeh, I'm a guy, what do I know.  Not a lot according to my Wife!