In the archive threads of emails Ray answered from numerous people with chronic kidney disease, one consistent theme can be observed. In virtually every answer Ray provided, he stressed the importance of gut motility and the detrimental effects reduced motility (constipation) has on kidney function, due to increased endotoxin/LPS absorption into the bloodstream. Ray quoted numerous cases where doctors have managed to reverse even end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) (as well as periodontitis) by administering laxatives to those patients. In corroboration, there is a prescription drug for CKD approved in several countries that consists entirely of activated charcoal, and the latter is well-known for its anti-endotoxin effects, which Ray repeatedly discussed as well. The study below seems to corroborate Ray’s take on CKD origins and treatment, and demonstrated that administering a drug, which ameliorates constipation, had robust therapeutic effects in CKD. The direct mechanism for the drug’s benefit was improved kidney cells mitochondrial function and the study claims that improvement is due to the drug’s ability to increase levels of a protective amine known as spermidine. However, I think the more likely systemic mechanism of action is the reduction of endotoxin/LPS absorption due to the amelioration of constipation. Either way, the finding that improving gut motility improved mitochondrial function can likely be extended to all organs/tissues and not just kidneys, while also underscoring again the systemic harmful effects of endotoxin/LPS. The drug that the study used was lubiprostone, which is a type of synthetic prostaglandin and is thus likely rife with the potential of serious side effects. As such, remedies more in line with the bioenergetic theory such as thyroid, charcoal, carrot salad, etc would likely be better options.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw3934
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251203004731.htm
“…”We noticed that constipation is a symptom that often accompanies CKD, and decided to investigate this link further,” explains Abe. “Essentially, constipation disrupts the intestinal microbiota, which worsens kidney function. Working backwards, we hypothesized that we could improve kidney function by treating constipation.””
“…To test this idea, the research team organized a multicenter Phase II clinical study (LUBI-CKD TRIAL) across nine medical facilities in Japan. The trial enrolled 150 individuals with moderate CKD and examined how lubiprostone affected kidney health. When compared with participants who received a placebo, those given 8 µg or 16 µg of lubiprostone experienced a slower decline in kidney function. This finding was based on changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a standard measure used to evaluate kidney performance. The scientists also explored why the drug had this protective effect. They determined that lubiprostone boosts the production of spermidine, a compound that enhances mitochondrial activity by encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Improved mitochondrial function was linked to a renoprotective effect that helped limit additional kidney damage.”
