Stage 4 CKD: When “Healthy” Foods, Medicines and Supplements Need a Second Look

A David at 91 reflection on food, drugs, turmeric, supplements and the wisdom of knowing what not to take

As I grow older, I realize that wellness is not always about adding something good to our lives. Sometimes it is about knowing what to leave out.

I have written many articles about wellness, healthy aging, medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies and dietary supplements. My philosophy has always been influenced by two worlds that have been important throughout my life.

One is the traditional wisdom I learned growing up in the Philippines, where herbal and plant remedies were part of everyday life.

The other is modern pharmaceutical science. I earned my PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, spent years in the pharmaceutical industry, and eventually worked for many years at the FDA.

Those two experiences have taught me something important:

Natural does not automatically mean safe and a substance that is beneficial in one form or dose may not be appropriate in another.

My Stage 4 chronic kidney disease has made that lesson much more personal.

My Stage 4 CKD Food List

The photograph accompanying this article is a “CKD Stage 4 Food List.” It divides foods into three categories:

EAT — LIMIT — AVOID

It is a useful reminder that when kidney function becomes severely reduced, nutrition becomes more complicated.

Stage 4 CKD generally means an eGFR of 15–29 for three months or longer. At this stage, the kidneys have lost a substantial amount of their filtering ability, and some medicines and substances can remain in the body longer than they should. 

But there is an important qualification about any generic food chart:

There is no single Stage 4 CKD diet that is right for everybody.

Depending on laboratory results and other medical conditions, a person may need to pay particular attention to sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein and other nutrients.

For example, bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, avocados and some leafy vegetables are nutritious foods for many people. But some contain substantial potassium, which can become a problem when the kidneys cannot regulate potassium properly.

Similarly, dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans and some whole grains may require attention because of phosphorus.

And processed foods such as bacon, sausage, pepperoni, canned soups, fast foods and many frozen meals can contain large amounts of sodium.

So I have learned that the question is no longer simply: “Is this a healthy food?”

The more appropriate question is: “Is this healthy for my kidneys, at this stage of my life, and according to my latest blood tests?”

That is why a renal dietitian can be so helpful. The National Kidney Foundation recommends individualized nutritional guidance for people with CKD. 

Then I Started Thinking About the Other Side of Wellness: Medicines

The food chart made me think about something that may be just as important as what we eat:  What medicines, vitamins and supplements should someone with Stage 4 CKD be careful about?

This is especially important because many people assume that an over-the-counter medicine must be safe. It isn't necessarily.

In Stage 4 CKD, some medicines can accumulate because the kidneys are responsible for removing them from the bloodstream. The National Kidney Foundation notes that approximately half of FDA-approved medications are removed from the blood by the kidneys. 

OTC Medicines That Deserve Special Attention

One of the biggest groups is the NSAIDs -nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Examples include:

• Ibuprofen — Advil, Motrin
• Naproxen — Aleve
• Indomethacin
• Diclofenac tablets or capsules
• Celecoxib — Celebrex
• Meloxicam — Mobic
• High-dose aspirin, generally more than 325 mg/day

NSAIDs can reduce blood flow through the kidneys and can cause acute kidney injury or worsen existing CKD, particularly with higher doses or prolonged use. The National Kidney Foundation recommends that people with CKD avoid self-treating with NSAIDs and consult their healthcare professional. 

This is a good example of why reading the label matters.

An NSAID can also be hidden inside combination cold, flu or pain products.

Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, is generally considered kidney-safe at recommended doses, but it is still important to check with one's healthcare professional and avoid accidentally taking it in several different combination products. 

And Then There Are Dietary Supplements

This is where my earlier wellness articles come back into the picture.

I have written about vitamins, supplements and traditional remedies because I believe they are legitimate subjects for discussion. But I have also become more cautious.

The word “natural” is one of the most powerful words in health advertising.

Yet nature contains some very powerful chemicals.

The National Kidney Foundation cautions that herbal supplements may worsen kidney disease, interact with prescription medications or increase the risk of CKD complications. 

The American Kidney Fund makes a similar point: herbal supplements are generally regulated as dietary supplements rather than as drugs, so their safety, effectiveness and purity can vary. 

That does not mean every herb is dangerous. It means:

A person with Stage 4 CKD should not assume that an herbal supplement is safe simply because it came from a plant.

Turmeric and Curcumin: A Good Example

This brings me to a supplement I recently thought about: Turmeric capsules containing curcumin.

Turmeric has a long history in cooking and traditional medicine. Curcumin is one of its principal active compounds and has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

That sounds attractive. The advertisements often use phrases such as: “Reduces inflammation.” “Supports overall health and well-being.”

Those claims caught my attention because inflammation is an important subject in aging and chronic disease.

But my Stage 4 CKD makes me look at the same product differently.

Turmeric in Food Is Different From a Concentrated Capsule

The National Kidney Foundation says turmeric and other spices are safe when used in cooking, while advising caution when they are used as supplements or in large quantities. 

That distinction is important. Putting a little turmeric into a meal is not the same thing as taking a concentrated capsule containing a large amount of curcumin every day.

It is the difference between: Food and a concentrated biologically active supplement.

As someone trained in pharmaceutical chemistry, that distinction makes perfect sense to me.

Dose matters.

But Is Curcumin Actually Proven to Help CKD?

This is where I would be careful with advertising claims.

Curcumin has been studied for its effects on inflammation and oxidative stress, including in people with kidney disease. Some studies have reported improvements in inflammatory markers.

But that is different from proving that curcumin prevents CKD from progressing or improves kidney filtration. In other words:

Evidence that something changes an inflammatory marker is not the same as evidence that it improves kidney survival or kidney function.

That distinction is important whenever we read a supplement advertisement.

A Curious Kidney Case Involving Turmeric

There is another reason I would personally be cautious with concentrated turmeric supplements in Stage 4 CKD.

In 2024, researchers published a case report involving a 69-year-old man who developed oxalate nephropathy while taking approximately 2 grams of turmeric/curcumin daily for two years. He also had chronic diarrhea associated with previous antibiotic treatment, so the turmeric was not necessarily the only factor involved. The authors concluded that chronic turmeric supplementation was associated with the oxalate nephropathy. 

This is one case report, not proof that turmeric capsules commonly cause kidney failure.

I think that qualification is extremely important. But it does demonstrate why concentrated supplements deserve more scrutiny in someone whose kidneys are already functioning poorly.

What About Drug Interactions?

Another concern is that curcumin supplements can interact with medicines.

The National Kidney Foundation has specifically advised people with advanced CKD to discuss curcumin/turmeric supplements with their physician because of potential drug interactions and the limited safety information in CKD. 

Some turmeric products also contain piperine or black-pepper extract, which is intended to increase curcumin absorption.

That may make the supplement more biologically active, but it also makes it even more important to know what you are taking and whether it could interact with your medications.

My Turmeric Rule at 91

If someone with Stage 4 CKD asked me:

“David, should I take a turmeric/curcumin capsule for inflammation?”

I would not answer simply yes or no. I would say:

Show the bottle to your nephrologist or pharmacist first.

The exact product matters. I would want to know:

• How much turmeric does it contain?
• How much curcumin?
• Does it contain piperine/black pepper extract?
• What other ingredients are present?
• What medications is the person taking?
• What are the person's potassium, phosphorus and other relevant laboratory results?
• What is the person's current kidney function?

And most importantly: What evidence is there that this particular person actually needs it?

That last question applies to virtually every supplement.

My Stage 4 CKD “Think Before You Take It” List

If I were putting a small card beside my medicine cabinet, it might say:

BEFORE TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE OR SUPPLEMENT

☐ Check whether it needs a dose adjustment for CKD.

☐ Avoid NSAIDs unless specifically directed by your healthcare professional.

☐ Check cold and flu products for hidden NSAIDs or duplicate ingredients.

☐ Be cautious with potassium, magnesium and phosphorus-containing supplements.

☐ Don't assume an herbal product is kidney-safe.

☐ Don't assume “natural” means harmless.

☐ Be particularly cautious with concentrated herbal extracts.

☐ Ask about possible drug interactions.

☐ Bring all vitamins and supplements to medical appointments.

☐ When in doubt, ask the pharmacist.

The National Kidney Foundation specifically recommends that people with Stage 4 CKD bring an updated list of medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal medicines to medical appointments and check with their healthcare professional before starting supplements or OTC products. 

Prescription Medicines Are Different

I also want to make an important distinction. It would be misleading to publish a list saying:

“These prescription drugs are bad for Stage 4 CKD.”

Many prescription medicines are actually important treatments for people with CKD.

Some simply require dose adjustments or monitoring.

Others may need to be avoided under particular circumstances.

For example, NSAIDs can be prescription drugs as well as OTC drugs. Other medications may require dosage changes because the kidneys remove them from the body.

At the same time, the National Kidney Foundation notes that physicians may prescribe medications such as ACE inhibitors/ARBs, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists or other therapies to reduce health risks or slow CKD progression in appropriate patients. 

So my rule is: Never stop a prescription medicine simply because you read something about it on the Internet.

Talk to the doctor who prescribed it.

What My FDA Years Taught Me

Perhaps my scientific background makes this subject especially interesting to me.

I spent years working with pharmaceuticals and eventually at the FDA.

One lesson that stayed with me is: Dose matters.

The difference between a food, a supplement and a drug isn't always as simple as we might think. A plant may contain a biologically active compound.

A manufacturer can concentrate that compound.

A capsule can deliver much more of it than we would ordinarily consume as food.

And once we concentrate something, we also concentrate the possibility of both benefit and harm.

That is why I have become increasingly skeptical of advertisements that use phrases such as:

“Natural cure.” “Detox.” “Supports kidney health.” “Reduces inflammation.”

Those phrases may sound reassuring, but they don't tell us whether the product has been adequately studied in a person with Stage 4 CKD.

Wellness at 91: Sometimes Less Is More

This brings me back to my earlier wellness articles. I have written about vitamins.

I have written about herbal medicine. I have written about healthy aging.

I have written about medicines. I have written about exercise, walking, human touch and many other ways of trying to live longer and live better.

But my kidney journey has added another dimension to my understanding of wellness.

Wellness is not always about adding something. Sometimes wellness means:

Less salt. Less processed food. Less unnecessary medication.

Less unnecessary supplementation. Less faith in miracle cures.

Less assumption that something is safe because it is sold over the counter.

And sometimes it means simply asking one more question before swallowing a pill.

My Final Thought: The Wisdom of Knowing What Not to Take

At 91, I am still curious. That may be one of the reasons I continue to write.

I remain interested in new medicines, new scientific discoveries, traditional remedies and the many ways people try to improve their health.

But I have learned that curiosity should be accompanied by caution.

Especially with Stage 4 CKD.

A banana may be healthy for one person but need to be restricted by another.

A medicine that is safe for one person may need a different dose for someone with reduced kidney function.

And turmeric may be a wonderful spice in our food while a concentrated curcumin capsule deserves a much closer look.

That is not a contradiction. It is pharmacology.

And perhaps this is one of the lessons I can pass along from my years as a chemist, pharmaceutical scientist, FDA retiree and now a 91-year-old student of aging:

The wisdom of aging is not always knowing what to take. Sometimes it is knowing what not to take.

My kidneys may be aging, but my curiosity has not retired. And neither has my desire to keep learning.

A Note to My Readers

This article is for education and personal reflection, not individual medical advice. Stage 4 CKD nutrition and medication decisions depend on kidney function, laboratory results, other medical conditions and the complete list of medicines and supplements a person takes. The safest approach is to discuss any new supplement, including turmeric/curcumin with a nephrologist, physician or pharmacist before starting it. 

Related theme for my earlier wellness articles: What I have learned about medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins and dietary supplements from traditional Filipino wisdom to my years in pharmaceutical science and the FDA.

Why Do Filipinos Look Different From Other Asians?

From My Recent Readings

Apparently, genetic research shows that the Philippine genetic landscape was shaped by at least five distinct migratory waves over tens of thousands of years:

1. Early Indigenous Peoples - Negrito Groups

Some of the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines arrived tens of thousands of years ago and contributed to the country’s deep indigenous ancestry.

2. Austronesian Expansion

Thousands of years ago, Austronesian-speaking peoples expanded from Taiwan through the Philippines and into Island Southeast Asia, becoming a major ancestral component of the population.

3. Mainland Southeast Asian Connections

Later movements and long-standing interactions connected the Philippines with populations from mainland and island Southeast Asia, adding to its genetic and cultural diversity.

4. Chinese and Northeast Asian Migration

Centuries of trade, migration, and settlement brought additional ancestry from southern China and other parts of East Asia. These influences varied greatly among regions and families.

5. Later Global Migration and Intermarriage

Spanish, South Asian, Middle Eastern, American, and other migrations during the colonial and modern periods added further ancestry to some Filipino communities.

Meanwhile, Do you know that......

Filipino American history began long before America did.​

In 1587, Filipinos arrived in what is now Morro Bay, California-33 years before the Mayflower and 189 years before U.S. independence.

Finally,

JUST IN: Pope Leo XIV approves Cardinal Tagle's election as Dean of the College of Cardinals. (10-9-26).

Pope Leo XIV has approved the election of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as Dean of the College of Cardinals on 8 October 2026, succeeding Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, whose resignation from the office has been accepted by the Pope.

Cardinal Re will assume the title of Dean Emeritus while retaining the title of the suburbicarian See of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto.

Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization’s Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, will assume the title of the suburbicarian See of Ostia while retaining his existing title of Albano. | via Holy See Press Office

Francis Halzen- Nobel Prize Winner in Physics, 2026

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Francis Halzen for his decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.

So what exactly did Halzen’s Nobel-winning work reveal?

Not neutrinos. They were discovered decades ago.

The breakthrough was finding high-energy neutrinos coming from beyond our Solar System and using them as a new way to study the most violent places in the universe.

Neutrinos are almost impossible to detect. Trillions pass through your body every second, barely interacting with matter. But because they are electrically neutral, they can travel across the universe without being deflected by magnetic fields.

That makes them extraordinary cosmic messengers.

In 1988, Halzen proposed using the Antarctic ice as a gigantic neutrino detector. His idea eventually became IceCube, a cubic kilometre of ice containing thousands of light sensors.

When a neutrino finally collides with matter in the ice, it can produce a tiny flash of Cherenkov light. IceCube detects that flash and reconstructs where the neutrino came from and how much energy it carried.

In 2013, IceCube announced the first compelling evidence for a population of high-energy neutrinos originating far beyond our Solar System.

Then came another remarkable result. In 2017, an IceCube neutrino helped astronomers identify a distant blazar as a likely source of high-energy neutrinos and cosmic rays.

Halzen’s work effectively opened a new window onto the universe. Instead of observing the cosmos only through light, we could now use neutrinos to investigate some of its most extreme environments. A cubic kilometre of Antarctic ice became a telescope for the most elusive particles in nature.

Nobel Prize Winners in Chemistry, 2026

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2026 #NobelPrize in Chemistry to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.”

Some molecules, such as amino acids, exist as two variants that are each other’s mirror image. However, living organisms only contain one of these mirror images. How chemical asymmetry such as this could have emerged was long a mystery to chemists. Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 for discovering a solution to this puzzle.

Life’s chemistry is what chemists call homochiral, after the Greek words for “same” and “hand”. Like hands, all amino acids exist as two mirrored variants, but only one of them is found in the proteins in your cells. The other is rarely found in nature.

For a long time, chemists wondered how homochirality can emerge. When they began to experiment with chemical reactions that can form two mirrored molecules, they always obtained equal proportions of both in their test tubes. However, chemists strived to produce only one of these mirror images, because in the development of molecules that will interact with living beings such as in pharmaceuticals, only one mirror image will have the desired effect.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 recognises discoveries that have enabled chemists to drive chemical reactions that lead to homochirality.

Henri Kagan took the first decisive step in 1986, when he discovered a new way of manipulating chemical reactions. This allowed him to create a greater excess of one of the mirror images than had previously been thought possible.

Kenso Soai took the next step. In 1995, a key publication describes how he designed the first ever chemical reaction that had the potential to be homochiral. In 2003, he finally succeeded. He presented a reaction in which only one of the two possible mirror images was formed. Other than life itself, no one had previously achieved this feat.

Thanks to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai, we now know how homochirality can emerge. Their discoveries have been decisive for chemists who design reactions for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

photo

Finally, Metformin and your Brain:

We thought we knew how the world's most popular diabetes drug worked, but a new discovery reveals its impact on the brain.

The global medical community has long relied on metformin as the primary first-line defense against type 2 diabetes, operating under the assumption that it worked solely by curbing glucose production in the liver and gut.

However, a new study has shattered this decades-old consensus.

Researchers have discovered that metformin also acts directly on a hidden control center in the brain, revealing a highly sensitive neural pathway that actively regulates blood sugar levels at remarkably minute doses.

Led by scientists at the Baylor College of Medicine and published in the journal Science Advances, the study demonstrated that metformin suppresses a specific protein called Rap1 within the brain's hypothalamus. By turning off this protein, the drug activates key neurons that signal the body to lower blood glucose, responding to doses thousands of times smaller than those required to affect peripheral organs. This newly unlocked brain connection not only rewrites our understanding of diabetes management but could also pave the way for novel treatments aimed at slowing brain aging and cognitive decline.

source: Lin, H. Y., Lu, W., & Fukuda, M. (2025). Low-dose metformin requires brain Rap1 for its antidiabetic action. Science Advances, 11(31)

Spelling Bee Contest at the Heritage Downtown

Here's What I will Do, If I have to Organize a Spelling Bee in a Senior Living Community   

The above brochure attracted my attention. What a wonderful idea for The Heritage Downtown! A Spelling Bee can be both an enjoyable competition and a way to keep our minds active as we grow older. For our senior community, I recommend a friendly format with three levels: Easy, Medium, and Hard, allowing residents with different vocabulary backgrounds to participate and enjoy themselves.

I've prepared 30 words with definitions and easy-to-read pronunciation guides. I've also included a separate section on words used in major spelling competitions during the past five years. One important distinction: words from the national Scripps National Spelling Bee are generally much harder than those suitable for a community contest, so I recommend using them as bonus or championship-round words.

Part 1. Easy words -10 words

Suggested scoring: 1 point per correctly spelled word.

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
1. Garden	GAR-dən	A place where flowers or vegetables grow.
2. Journey	JUR-nee	A trip from one place to another.
3. Neighbor	NAY-ber	A person who lives nearby.
4. Believe	bih-LEEV	To accept something as true.
5. Courage	KUR-ij	The ability to face fear or difficulty.
6. Library	LYE-brer-ee	A place where books are kept for reading or borrowing.
7. Friendly	FREND-lee	Kind and pleasant toward others.
8. Beautiful	BYOO-tih-ful	Pleasing to look at or hear.
9. Memory	MEM-uh-ree	The ability to remember people, events, or information.
10. Grateful	GRAYT-ful	Feeling thankful or appreciative.

Part 2. Medium words- 10 words

Suggested scoring: 2 points per correctly spelled word.

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
1. Occasion	uh-KAY-zhun	A particular event or special time.
2. Embarrass	im-BAIR-us	To make someone feel awkward or self-conscious.
3. Necessary	NESS-uh-sair-ee	Needed or required.
4. Privilege	PRIV-uh-lij	A special benefit, honor, or opportunity.
5. Restaurant	RES-tuh-rahnt	A place where meals are prepared and served.
6. Cemetery	SEM-uh-ter-ee	A place where deceased people are buried.
7. Recommend	rek-uh-MEND	To suggest something as a good choice.
8. Perseverance	pur-suh-VEER-uns	Continued effort despite difficulties.
9. Independent	in-duh-PEN-dunt	Able to act or think without depending on others.
10. Acquaintance	uh-KWAYN-tuns	Someone you know but may not know very well.

Part 3. Hard words - 10 words

Suggested scoring: 3 points per correctly spelled word.

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
1. Conscientious	kon-shee-EN-shus	Careful, responsible, and thorough in one's work.
2. Entrepreneur	ahn-truh-pruh-NUR	A person who starts and operates a business.
3. Idiosyncrasy	id-ee-oh-SING-kruh-see	A distinctive habit or unusual characteristic.
4. Miscellaneous	mis-uh-LAY-nee-us	Made up of different kinds of things.
5. Accommodate	uh-KOM-uh-dayt	To provide room for someone or adjust to a need.
6. Onomatopoeia	on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh	A word that imitates a sound, such as buzz or hiss.
7. Eccentricity	ek-sen-TRIS-ih-tee	An unusual or unconventional behavior or quality.
8. Liaison	lee-AY-zon	A person or means that connects people or groups.
9. Meticulous	muh-TIK-yuh-lus	Extremely careful about details.
10. Resilience	rih-ZIL-yuns	The ability to recover after difficulty or hardship.

Pronunciations are approximate American-English guides, with capital letters indicating the stressed syllable. Some words have accepted regional variations.

Additional Information on Spelling Bee Contest

Part 4. National Spelling Bee championship words, 2021-2025

The following are the actual winning words from the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the five completed competitions from 2021 through 2025. These make excellent advanced or tie-breaker words for our THD contest. 

Words of the Champions - Spellpundit

+3

Year	Champion	Winning word	Meaning
2021	Zaila Avant-garde	Murraya	A genus of flowering plants and shrubs.
2022	Harini Logan	Moorhen	A waterbird commonly found around marshes and ponds.
2023	Dev Shah	Psammophile	An organism that thrives in sandy environments.
2024	Bruhat Soma	Abseil	To descend a steep surface using a rope.
2025	Faizan Zaki	Éclaircissement	The clarification of something obscure; enlightenment.

Sources: Scripps competition records and published championship results. 

Notice that even the shortest word, abseil, can be tricky because of its unusual spelling. The 2025 winning word, éclaircissement, is particularly challenging because of its French origin. 

Part 5. Ten additional championship-style words

These are suitable for a final round, especially if two or more residents finish with the same score. They are drawn from words associated with national-level spelling competitions and advanced spelling lists. 

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
1. Eclaircissement	ay-klair-sees-MAHN	Clarification or enlightenment.
2. Bougainvillea	boo-gun-VIL-ee-uh	A flowering tropical vine or shrub.
3. Autochthonous	aw-TOK-thuh-nus	Originating in the place where it is found.
4. Cymotrichous	sy-moh-TRIK-us	Having wavy hair.
5. Koinonia	koy-noh-NEE-uh	Fellowship or shared community.
6. Nunatak	NOO-nuh-tak	A mountain peak projecting above surrounding ice.
7. Scherenschnitte	SHAY-ren-shnit-uh	The art of making decorative paper cutouts.
8. Appoggiatura	uh-poj-uh-TOOR-uh	A musical ornament consisting of a note that resolves into another note.
9. Onomatopoeia	on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh	A word that imitates a sound.
10. Psammophile	SAM-uh-file	An organism adapted to sandy environments.

Note: The first word is presented without the accent in its spelling above for ease of typing. In a formal spelling contest, you should accept the standard dictionary spelling and decide in advance whether accents and other diacritical marks will be required.

The official Scripps study resource, Words of the Champions, is also useful if you want a larger bank of competition words. It includes a 4,000-word study list. 

Part 6. My suggested format for the THD Spelling Bee

For our senior-community event, I would make the contest lively and welcoming rather than overly stressful.

Round 1 - Warm-up

Use the 10 easy words. Give everyone a chance to gain confidence.

Round 2 - The challenge

Use the 10 medium words. Award two points for each correct spelling.

Round 3 - The championship

Use the 10 hard words. Award three points for each correct spelling.

Tie-breaker

Use the national championship words or the additional advanced list. Give each contestant the same number of opportunities.

A few practical tips for the organizer:

• Have the pronouncer say the word, use it in a sentence, and repeat the word.

• Allow contestants to ask for the definition, language of origin, or a repetition.

• Give contestants a reasonable time limit, such as 30 seconds per word.

• Consider allowing participants to write the word on a large sheet of paper instead of spelling it aloud. This can be less intimidating and easier for residents who prefer not to speak before an audience.

• Have a dictionary available to resolve disputed spellings.

My favorite idea is to award a small prize not only to the champion but also for Best Effort, Best Vocabulary, and Most Enthusiastic Contestant. That way, the event celebrates learning, friendship, and participation as much as winning.

At THD, the real victory will be the laughter, fellowship, and shared enjoyment of words. After all, it is never too late to learn a new word!

Finally, Have you Heard of Turon?

Turon is proof that the simplest Filipino street food can also be the most perfect. Ripe saba bananas wrapped in a spring roll wrapper with a strip of jackfruit, rolled in brown sugar, and fried until the caramel shell crackles with every bite. Street vendors across the Philippines have been perfecting this recipe for generations, and somehow every lola's version tastes slightly different and equally unforgettable.

The magic of turon is in the contrast. The crispy caramelized wrapper shatters against the soft, sweet banana inside, and the jackfruit adds a floral note that turns a simple snack into something that could hold its own on any dessert menu in the world. Best eaten hot, standing on a sidewalk, wrapped in a piece of brown paper.

Can an Antioxidant Supplement Protect Our Kidneys? My Thoughts on Astaxanthin and Online Health Claims

Another Promising Health Supplement Catches My Attention

As a 91, nearing 92-year-old senior living at The Heritage Downtown, I have learned that growing older brings many blessings, but it also brings health challenges. One of the most important lessons I have learned is to be careful about what I put into my body, especially when it comes to supplements that promise remarkable health benefits.

Recently, I came across an advertisement for ClarityMD Astaxanthin, a dietary supplement containing 12 mg of astaxanthin per softgel. The advertisement caught my attention because it claimed to protect kidney cells, support healthy GFR levels, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, restore mental clarity, and provide lasting energy.

For someone like me who has Stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD), such claims naturally attract attention. Who would not want to discover something that might help preserve kidney function?

But my years as a chemist, pharmaceutical scientist, and former FDA Chemistry Team Leader taught me an important lesson: A promising scientific explanation is not the same as proof that a product works in people.

That distinction is especially important when our health is at stake.

What Is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a reddish natural pigment belonging to a group of compounds called carotenoids. It is produced by certain microalgae and contributes to the color of salmon, shrimp, and other aquatic animals.

Scientists have studied astaxanthin because of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants can help counter certain forms of oxidative damage in biological systems.

Oxidative stress is a legitimate subject of medical research. It has been investigated in connection with aging, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.

However, we must be careful not to jump from one scientific fact to another.

The fact that oxidative stress is associated with a disease does not automatically mean that taking an antioxidant supplement will prevent or treat that disease.

Nature offers us many fascinating substances. Some eventually become useful medicines. Others show promise in laboratory experiments but fail to demonstrate meaningful benefits in clinical trials.

We need scientific evidence to know the difference.

Can Astaxanthin Improve Kidney Function?

This is the most important question for me.

The advertisement suggests that taking astaxanthin can protect kidney cells and support healthy glomerular filtration rate, commonly known as GFR. This measurement helps doctors assess how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood.

I examined the available scientific evidence, including research reviews on antioxidant supplements in people with chronic kidney disease.

Astaxanthin has been studied in humans, including a small clinical trial involving kidney transplant recipients. However, transplant recipients are not the same population as people living with Stage 4 CKD who have not received a transplant.

The available evidence does not establish that astaxanthin improves GFR, stops the progression of Stage 4 CKD, or prevents the need for dialysis.

This does not mean that scientists should stop investigating astaxanthin. Further research may reveal useful applications in the future.

But until convincing clinical evidence becomes available, we should not confuse a possibility with a proven treatment.

For me, this is not merely an academic question. It is a personal one.

Living with advanced kidney disease has taught me to appreciate honest medical advice and to be realistic about what science can and cannot promise.

I would rather follow sound medical guidance than spend money on a supplement because an advertisement tells me what I desperately want to hear.

The Problem With Online Supplement Advertising

I am not suggesting that every supplement is worthless or that every company selling one is dishonest.

Some supplements have legitimate uses, and scientific research continues to explore others. But online advertisements sometimes combine genuine scientific terminology with claims that go far beyond the available evidence.

Words such as antioxidant, inflammation, cellular protection, and oxidative stress sound convincing because they describe real scientific concepts.

The problem begins when these concepts are used to imply that one capsule can address several complicated medical conditions at once.

Consider the claims made in the advertisement I saw:

• Protect kidney cells and support healthy GFR levels.

• Reduce digestive problems and bloating.

• Balance hormones and fight fatigue.

• Improve mental clarity.

• Make the skin firmer and more youthful.

These are separate health outcomes. Each requires appropriate evidence, and evidence supporting one possible benefit cannot automatically prove the others.

Customer testimonials and impressive star ratings may tell us that buyers are satisfied, but they cannot establish that a supplement improves kidney function.

Similarly, a money-back guarantee may reduce the financial risk of a purchase, but it does not guarantee a medical benefit.

As consumers, we should ask a simple question: Where are the well-designed human clinical trials showing that this particular product produces the advertised results?

If that evidence is missing, caution is justified.

A Personal Word About Stage 4 CKD

At my age, I have learned that protecting my health is not about chasing every new product that promises to make me younger, stronger, or healthier.

It is about making thoughtful decisions with the information available to me.

Because I have Stage 4 CKD, I would not start astaxanthin for kidney protection without first discussing it with my nephrologist or renal pharmacist. A supplement that is tolerated by some healthy adults has not necessarily been adequately studied in people with advanced kidney disease.

I would also want my healthcare professional to review possible interactions with my medications and other supplements.

There is another lesson here: we should never change prescribed treatment or abandon an established medical care plan because a supplement advertisement promises an easier solution.

Scientific progress is real, and I remain hopeful that research will continue to improve the lives of people with kidney disease. But hope should go hand in hand with evidence.

What My Years in Pharmaceutical Science Taught Me

During my professional career, I worked as a chemist and later as a Chemistry Team Leader at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. My work involved evaluating pharmaceutical chemistry and the quality of drug products.

That experience influenced how I look at health claims today.

A substance may have an interesting chemical structure. It may show antioxidant activity in a laboratory. Researchers may even find encouraging results in an early human study.

But before we conclude that it is an effective treatment, we need to ask more questions.

Was the study well designed? Were enough people involved? Was the effect clinically meaningful? Were the results reproduced independently? Were safety and long-term outcomes adequately evaluated?

And, perhaps most importantly, does the evidence actually apply to the people who are being encouraged to buy the product?

These questions are not intended to discourage innovation. They are meant to protect the public and help people make informed decisions.

As someone who spent years working in pharmaceutical science, I believe that scientific honesty is just as important as scientific discovery.

My Conclusion: Let Science, Not Advertising, Guide Us

After reviewing the available evidence, I am not convinced that ClarityMD Astaxanthin can deliver the kidney benefits promised in its advertisement.

Astaxanthin is a genuine compound worthy of scientific investigation. But its antioxidant properties do not prove that a daily 12 mg supplement can improve GFR, stop kidney decline, or prevent dialysis.

For now, I would not buy it for those purposes.

My advice to fellow seniors, people living with chronic illnesses, and anyone searching online for better health is simple: Read beyond the headline. Look beyond the testimonials. Ask for reliable clinical evidence, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new supplement.

We all want to live longer, healthier, and more comfortable lives. There is nothing wrong with hoping that science will discover new ways to help us.

But we should never allow our hopes to become an invitation for unsupported promises.

At 91 nearing 92, I continue to believe that knowledge, caution, faith, and common sense are valuable companions on the journey of aging.

A final thought: The best health decision is not necessarily the one that promises the most. It is the one supported by the best available evidence.

Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal observations and a review of published scientific information. It is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. People with chronic kidney disease should consult their healthcare professionals before taking dietary supplements.

References 

1. Cochrane Library — Antioxidants for adults with chronic kidney disease. A systematic review of research on antioxidant supplements in CKD, including astaxanthin.

2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Guidance on evidence, safety, and interactions.

3. Brendler and Williamson — Astaxanthin: How much is too much? A safety review. A review of human safety studies and dose considerations.

4. Donoso and colleagues — Therapeutic uses of natural astaxanthin: An evidence-based review focused on human clinical trials. A review of the human clinical research.

   Finally, My Photo of the Day: 

   
   
   

   
   

The AI Moment and the Taiwan Question: Why 2027 Matters More Than We Think

AI and Geopolitics - The new intersection

The other morning I was reading the Wall Street Journal, like many of you. The headline that caught my eye was about two converging forces: Artificial Intelligence, and the future of Taiwan in 2027. Some commentary calls it the greatest threat to humanity. The phrase is strong, but it made me pause.

As many of you know from my recent post on the Geopolitics of the West Philippine Sea between the US and China, I have long followed the delicate balance in our part of the world. The West Philippine Sea and the Taiwan Strait are not two separate stories. They are two chapters of the same book.

1. What the news actually says about 2027

For several years, Washington talked about the "Davidson Window" - the warning from Admiral Philip Davidson that China would move on Taiwan by 2027. The most recent assessment is different. The US intelligence community has dialed back that view and concluded that Beijing would prefer to take control of Taiwan without resorting to force. The annual threat assessment now states:

"Chinese leaders do not currently plan to execute an invasion of Taiwan in 2027, nor do they have a fixed timeline for achieving unification."

In other words, 2027 is not necessarily an invasion date. It is the year Xi Jinping told his military to be ready to be capable of taking Taiwan by 2027 - being capable is not the same as having a plan to do it. That distinction matters for all of us who pray for peace.

Reference: China Isn't Planning to Invade Taiwan in 2027, U.S. Concludes - WSJ

The Taiwan Strait - 180km that shapes world stability

2. Why AI changes the equation

In my post "Are AI Scientists Really Afraid That AI..." I asked whether our fears about AI are well-placed. Today I think the answer is yes, but not for the reasons we see in movies. AI will not necessarily start a war. But AI will make any war far more dangerous, and more likely to be miscalculated:

• Grey-zone pressure: We already see it in the West Philippine Sea - "grey-zone bullying of the Philippines" as one report described China's tactics. AI-driven drones, sea drones, and autonomous surveillance make that pressure constant, cheap, and harder to attribute.
• Information war: As I have written before, the greatest legacy we leave is truth. AI can flood our communities in Manila, Taipei, and Walnut Creek with deepfakes that make de-escalation politically impossible.
• Speed of decision: In a crisis in the Taiwan Strait, AI-assisted command systems compress the time human leaders have to think, to pray, to call each other.

That is why I believe AI plus a Taiwan contingency is a threat to humanity not because invasion is certain in 2027, but because AI makes miscalculation certain if we are not careful.

3. A companion to the West Philippine Sea

My friends often ask: why does the West Philippine Sea matter if you live in California? I tell them, it is the same water. The same international law - UNCLOS - that protects a fisherman from Zambales protects the freedom of navigation that keeps our world economy alive. Taiwan sits at the northern edge of that same sea. A conflict there "would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world", not just because of semiconductors, but because it would break the legal order we have tried to build since World War II - a war I still remember as a boy.

The West Philippine Sea - within the Philippines EEZ

Further reading: West Philippine Sea explainer and my reflection Geopolitics of the West Philippine Sea.

4. What can we do?

I am 91 years old. I have seen wars begin with miscalculation and end with forgiveness. My seven writing legacies have always been about heritage, science, health, faith, technology, community, and travel. This moment touches all seven.

My humble suggestions:

1. Insist on dialogue, not timelines. Do not fixate on 2027 as destiny.
2. Support honest journalism and law. The Hague ruling of 2016 on the West Philippine Sea still matters.
3. Teach our grandchildren how to use AI wisely - as a tool for understanding, not for fear.

As I wrote recently, living alone does not mean being alone. We are all connected by this vast Pacific.

SOURCES & FURTHER READING

• —China Isn't Planning to Invade Taiwan in 2027, U.S. Concludes - WSJ
• —West Philippine Sea - Wikipedia
• —Geopolitics of the West Philippine Sea - Chateau Du Mer

#AI#Taiwan#WestPhilippineSea#Geopolitics#Peace

Thank you MetaAI for this beautiful formatting and images for  this Post. 

Finally, My Photo of Day ( after Trump and Xi Meeting ):

My Quote of the Day: 

 

“If you talk about it, it’s a dream.  If you envision it, it’s possible.  But if you schedule it, it’s real.”

Tony Robbins