The Study

This review and commentary, co-authored by Stephen McConnell, looks at cases where people with early-stage chronic kidney disease saw their disease stage improve after adding low-dose niacin and sodium bicarbonate. It walks through the biochemistry behind why the authors believe this combination may help, including its effect on phosphate levels, and includes a personal account from Stephen about his own father's kidney disease.

Key Findings

• Co-authored by Stephen McConnell and W. Todd Penberthy, published by the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service.
• Reviews documented cases of chronic kidney disease stage improvement associated with low-dose niacin and sodium bicarbonate.
• Discusses proposed mechanisms, including NAD synthesis, PCSK9 inhibition, sodium transporter effects, and PPAR gamma activation.
• Includes a personal account from Stephen McConnell about his father's experience with chronic kidney disease.

The Study

This published research paper, co-authored by Stephen McConnell, describes a combination of niacin, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, and isoquercetin used to address later-stage chronic kidney disease. The authors tracked kidney function markers in a group of patients over six months and report on the biochemical reasoning behind the approach, including its effect on phosphate levels, acidosis, and protein in the urine.

Key Findings

• Co-authored by Stephen McConnell, W. Todd Penberthy, Richard Chern, and Chester H. Fox.
• Published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Volume 40, Number 1.
• Describes a formulation combining niacin, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, and isoquercetin for CKD stages 3B–5.
• Tracks eGFR and urine albumin-creatinine ratio at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months across a documented patient cohort.