In 1993 investigators published in the lancet a review of a rapidly progressing kidney disease associated with scarring of the kidney, it was believed at that time that the only thing these two young women had in common was the consumption of slimming regimen including chinese herbs.
Upon further investigations seven other women were found to have progressed rapidly to require dialysis and again they had been taking the same chines herbs. Tissue samples of the kidney showed significant scarring of the flesh of the kidney while sparing the vascular components.
With the detailed investigation of this incident that followed two chinese herbs Stephania tetranda and Magnolia officinalis were identified as the culprits.
Three years later a study investigating the mechanism of kidney damage in the prior incident revealed that aristocholic acid derived from the herbs in question was capable of damaging the DNA of kidney cells preventing them functioning, leading to kidney disease, they also concluded based on the mechanism of damage that cancers could occur based on prolonged exposure to the offending agents.
In 2000 another article published in the new england journal of medicine concluded cancer is high among patients with chinese herb induced kidney disease. Several animal studies were done and the primary component of the herbs aristocholic acid was found to induce tumours in rodent. Now all patients who had kidney disease because of these herbs must have routine checkups to screen for the devlopment of cancers even years later.
Due to the rapid evolution of the disease from taking the herbs to requiring dialysis in three months, chinese herb nephropathy is difficult to effectively treat. High doses of steroid have been tried with some success however.
In this case carefully reading the ingredients could help a whole lot, however just discussing the supplements with your physician may actually save your life.
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