Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound that is a white solid crystalline, but often appears as a fine powder. It has an alkaline and salty taste.

The ancient Egyptians used natural deposits of sodium bicarbonate creating a paint for their hieroglyphics.

In 1846, John Dwight and Austin Church, two bakers from New York established the first factory developing baking soda. 

Baking soda is used for all sorts of things, from cooking to cleaning, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and even medicinal practices.

Some of the medical uses include:

•Mixing baking soda and water creates a very effective antacid
•Baking soda elevates pH levels
•A paste made with water and baking soda will treat allergic reactions from poison ivy/sumac
•Baking soda can help with the removal of splinters
•People with kidney failure that are treated with the addition of sodium bicarbonate show a decrease in the progression of the disease.

Sodium bicarbonate is essential for our health. Within our bodies, the pancreas and kidneys produce bicarbonate to protect the kidneys. When these two organs experience a decline in bicarbonate production, acid builds up and our bodies have trouble neutralizing this build-up. Cellular deterioration begins at this point and our bodies require a treatment that will remove the acid build-up and supply an increase of nutrients, oxygen and water.

How to Repair Your Kidneys Naturally Using Baking Soda (and why you should)

Kidney disease patients commonly suffer from low bicarbonate levels, a medical condition called metabolic acidosis.

According to Dr. Thomas P. Kennedy,
“Substituting a sodium bicarbonate solution for saline infusion prior to administration of radiocontrast material seems to reduce the incidence of nephropathy.” 

In the UK, 3 million people suffer from chronic kidney disease with an estimated 37,800 of those patients require renal replacement therapy (involving dialysis and possibly a kidney transplant). The care required for these patients cost $45,165 (£30,000) per year.

A study conducted at the Whitechapel hospital in Royal London was the first controlled test in a clinical setting. The British team at the hospital says sodium bicarbonate can dramatically slow the effects of kidney disease. The team leader, a Professor of Renal Medicine named Magdi Yaqoob said:

‘It’s amazing.’

‘This is the first randomized controlled study of its kind.’

‘A simple remedy like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), when used appropriately, can be very effective.’

Out of 134 test patients with advanced kidney disease and metabolic acidosis, a randomly selected small group was given a tablet daily, made of a small amount of sodium bicarbonate for a year. The kidney function of these patients declined at a rate that’s expected with normal aging and were less likely to require dialysis. This group had a 2/3 slower decline of health than the untreated group.

9% of the group who received sodium bicarbonate had a rapid progression of kidney disease, whereas 45% of the untreated group experienced a rapid progression.

Professor Magdi Yaqoob said: ‘This study shows baking soda can be useful for people with kidney failure. That is, as long as the dose is regulated and under supervision.’

‘What happens is the inflammation of kidney is prevented by baking soda because a chemical reaction takes place limiting ammonia production in the kidney.’

‘This cheap and simple strategy also improves patients’ nutritional well-being and has the potential to improve quality of life and of course a clinical outcome that can remove the need for dialysis.’

‘Baking soda is not classed as a drug so this study has never been tried before.’

The research team at the Whitechapel hospital said further testing should be conducted including a placebo group. This will help determine the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate as a treatment for patients experience kidney failure and metabolic acidosis.