Healthy kidneys, healthy life.

Would you want to own a car that can barely get you from point A to B? The exhaust is thick and black, the engine oil is full of sludge, and the air filter is covered with so much dirt that it’s practically cemented in place. With so much grime in this unkept car, the car would probably not even start, let alone run efficiently.

In a similar manner, if we’re full of toxins and chemicals that are unable to find their way out, our bodies will not be able to operate in the intended way as designed. Blood would not be capable of carrying oxygen throughout our system, blood pressure may be consistently high, and essential elements like amino acids, glucose, and electrolytes, would not be processed adequately to provide your body the energy to function. That’s where the kidneys come in — they provide a way for our bodies to filter toxins from the body.

The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. Located on both sides of the spine, these fist-sized organs contain about one million nephrons. Nephrons contain tiny blood vessels, called glomeruli, which are attached to tubules. The glomerulus filters the blood that passes through it and disperses any remaining fluid to the tubule where chemicals and water are either added or removed to the remaining filtered fluid according to what the body requires. Once this process is complete, the filtered blood is returned to the body while all waste and remaining fluid is excreted out of the body in the form of urine.

The kidneys are responsible for regulating the total water volume of the body. On average, the kidneys filter approximately 200 quarts fluid every day. Of this amount, about 2 quarts are excreted from the body as urine. The nephrons are critical in returning filtered water, glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes back into the bloodstream. Because the kidneys can only perform this purification process effectively with sufficient water in the body, it is important for us to continually hydrate ourselves with a good source of water. When the body Is dehydrated, the kidneys becomes stressed because there is not enough water for them to perform their blood purification process.

ADH (anti-diuretic hormone), a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, controls the amount of water excreted by the kidneys as urine and what is reabsorbed back into your bloodstream. As higher volumes of water increase blood pressure, this hormone stimulates water reabsorption into the kidney tubules which transport solute-free water back into the bloodstream which leads to a decrease in plasma osmolarity (less solutes in the blood) and an increase in the osmolarity of urine. When concentrations of particles such as sodium or potassium are too high in your blood, or if your blood pressure is too low, the hypothalamus is stimulated to secrete ADH, signaling to the kidneys whether to release or store water in order to maintain balance.

Kidneys also play a role in the production of red blood cells. EPO (erythropoietin) is a hormone produced by the kidneys. Once produced, this hormone stimulates bone marrow to create red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body. If the kidneys are not healthy or damaged, they are not able to produce enough EPO to stimulate the production of red blood cells which can lead to anemia.

So, with all of the functions that our kidneys perform, how is it possible for some to live with only one? According to some, having two kidneys actually gives us more renal function than we need. If only one kidney is present, it can handle the entire amount of fluid that two kidneys would. To do this, the nephrons increase in size to handle the extra fluid. In those that are born with only one kidney, that kidney can grow to reach the size of the two normal sized kidneys combined. As long as harmful habits, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or consuming processed foods, are kept to a minimum, a person can continue to have a normal, healthy life with just one kidney.

What can you do to support your kidney(s) for improved function?

Consider limiting:

Protein. Too much protein in the diet can overburden your kidneys and can cause a condition called proteinuria, or too much protein in the urine as a result of the protein leaking from the blood. This can lead to complications down the line if not kept under control.  Therefore, it may be wise to limit protein consumption to no more than 0.1 – 0.8 gram per kilogram of body weight.

Potassium. For those who have been diagnosed with kidney problems, you may have been advised to limit your potassium. That’s because too much potassium in your blood may cause your heart to work harder. If your kidney(s) is not working optimally, it will be difficult for it to process the potassium, which is also linked to high blood pressure. According to the National Kidney Foundation, a person with healthy kidneys should consume about 3500 – 4500 milligrams of potassium. A person on a restricted diet should consume about 2000 milligrams. It would be best to talk to your doctor about the amount of potassium that you should be consuming if you’re operating on one kidney or have kidney damage.  Food that are high in potassium include potato, avocado, winter squash, spinach, sweet potato, wild-caught salmon, raisins, dried apricots, dried prunes, pomegranate, tomato, granola, coconut water, white beans, and of course, banana.

Sodium. The kidneys attempt to retain only what the body requires, in terms of sodium.  Therefore, an excess intake of salt may cause your body to attract more water into your bloodstream which can increase your blood pressure. Additionally, consuming too much sodium will cause your kidneys to work harder to their job. Therefore, it would be best to limit sodium consumption to less than 4 grams each day.

Phosphorous. Too much phosphorous in the body can hinder your kidneys’ ability to process it. A normal phosphorus level is 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL. Having too much phosphorous can also lead to calcium deficiency which results in brittle or weakened bones. Foods high in phosphorus include pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, cheese, salmon, scallops, pork, tofu, oatmeal, and lentils.  Phosphorous from meat is absorbed more easily in the body than plant-based foods.

Be sure to include:

Water. Your kidneys cannot function without the proper flow of water in your system. The general rule of thumb is to drink at least half your body weight in ounces. Monitoring your urine can let you know how well you are doing with your water intake. If your urine color is dark yellow, that means you’re dehydrated. If it’s clear to pale yellow, then you are drinking enough water.

Dandelion root. You can make a tea of dandelion root to help to strengthen the kidneys and soothe irritations of the urinary tract.

 Vegetables and Fruits.  Vegetables and fruits provide an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, and antioxidants.  Fruits that are lower in potassium include apples, cranberries, grapes, pineapples and strawberries. Vegetables that are lower in potassium include cauliflower, onions, peppers, radishes, summer squash, and lettuce.

 Lemon juice. Lemon juice is a great detoxifier and aids in digestion. The citric acid also helps to reduce the acidity of urine which assists in the prevention of kidney stones. Add half a lemon into a glass of water and drink. It’s best to drink this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Herbal tea. Marshmallow root and nettle are two herbs that serve as natural diuretics which aid in treating kidney stones and bladder infections.

Your body was created to be a clean and efficient well-running machine. Built with its own natural detoxification systems, your body has the ability to eliminate the majority of the toxins that enter it. By increasing your consumption of clean, organic fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding known toxins in your diet and hygiene products, you can maintain the optimal function of your natural purification system. Your health depends on your nutrition and toxicity level. Keep your toxicity low by supporting your detoxification processes.

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Sources:

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