Research Article Open Access

Impact of Organic Foods and Herbal Interventions on Key Biochemical Parameters in Patients with Stage IV Chronic Kidney Disease Over a 9-Month Period

Authors

Waqar Ahmad Niaz
Rehman Diagnostic and Research Centre, Plot 133, G-Block, Model Town, Lahore 54700, Punjab, Pakistan
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Muhammad Azam
Rehman Diagnostic and Research Centre, Plot 133, G-Block, Model Town, Lahore 54700, Punjab, Pakistan
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Quratul Ain
University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, 1-Km Defence Road, Lahore 54792, Punjab, Pakistan
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Shahid Rashid
Rehman Diagnostic and Research Centre, Plot 133, G-Block, Model Town, Lahore 54700, Punjab, Pakistan
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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Muhammad Sajjad Sarwar
iD 0000-0002-6056-5906
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, 2-KM Multan Road, Okara 56300, Punjab, Pakistan
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Noor Nabi
iD 0009-0002-3942-8488
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, 2-KM Multan Road, Okara 56300, Punjab, Pakistan
Published on: September 18, 2026
DOI 10.66920/pjn.2026.66.73
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Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an organic dietary and herbal intervention in improving renal biochemical parameters and maintaining electrolyte homeostasis in patients with Stage IV Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study was conducted over nine months, from January to September 2024, at the Rehman Diagnostic and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 100 patients with Stage IV CKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m²] received standard CKD care in combination with an organic renal meal pack formulated to provide low levels of protein, sodium, phosphorus and potassium, while providing high levels of dietary fibre and antioxidants. Biochemical parameters, including serum creatinine, urea, calcium and potassium, were assessed monthly throughout the study period. Data were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Mean serum creatinine and urea concentrations decreased significantly over the study period, from 4.0 to 3.0 mg/dL and from 120 to 60-80 mg/dL, respectively (p<0.001). Serum potassium levels gradually decreased from 6.0 to 4.7 mEq/L, although this change was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In contrast, serum calcium levels increased from 6.2 to 8.8 mg/dL, indicating improvement in mineral balance. No adverse effects related to the intervention were reported, suggesting that the dietary and herbal meal pack was well tolerated.

Conclusion: The organic dietary and herbal intervention was associated with significant improvements in serum creatinine and urea levels and appeared to support electrolyte and mineral homeostasis in patients with Stage IV CKD. These findings suggest a potential complementary role for structured organic dietary and herbal interventions alongside standard CKD care. Further controlled studies are warranted to determine the independent effects of the intervention and investigate the potential mechanistic roles of herbal bioactive compounds in oxidative stress, mitochondrial function and renal protection.

Keywords:

CKD, creatinine, organic diets, potassium, urea

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Copyright (c) 2026 Waqar Ahmad Niaz, Muhammad Azam, Quratul Ain, Shahid Rashid, Muhammad Sajjad Sarwar, Noor Nabi

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This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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How to Cite

Niaz, W. A., Azam, M., Quratul Ain, Rashid, S., Sarwar, M. S., & Noor Nabi. (2026). Impact of Organic Foods and Herbal Interventions on Key Biochemical Parameters in Patients with Stage IV Chronic Kidney Disease Over a 9-Month Period. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 25, 66–73. https://doi.org/10.66920/pjn.2026.66.73
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