Kidney Care for Critical Detoxing and Longevity By Erika Dworkin, Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition
help it detoxify the wastes that bombard it daily. Supporting your kidneys with healthy lifestyle choices and nutritional supplements is valuable insurance for optimal health now and in years to come.
A Kidney Purpose and Function
The kidneys are two bean-shaped, fist-sized major organs on either side of the spine. They are part of the renal system, which also includes the ureters (ducts that carry the urine created in the kidneys to the bladder), bladder (pear-sized; allows storage and controlled release of urine), and urethra (transports urine from the bladder out of the body). In addition to enabling the body to remove waste as urine, the kidneys: (1) filter the body’s blood (1- 1.5 gallons, 40 times/day) of toxins and waste materials before returning it to the bloodstream and heart with its vitamins, amino acids, glucose, hormones and other vital substances, (2) maintain overall fluid balance, (3) regulate and filter minerals from blood, and (4) create hormones that help produce red blood cells (eryth- ropoietin), promote bone health (vitamin D), and regulate blood pressure (renin).
Due to their complex structure and constant exposure to toxic
waste, the kidneys are susceptible to a variety of complications, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney stones and cysts, and acidosis (blood becomes too acidic due to the kidneys’ failure to excrete acids). These and other kidney conditions can cause
re you seeking ways to improve your body’s ability to combat both viral and other infections and age-related degenerative diseases? One of the most important things you can do is
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognized as a major health
problem...Numbers of prevalent CKD patients will continue to rise, reflecting the growing elderly population and increasing numbers of patients with diabetes and hypertension. As numbers of CKD patients increase, primary care practitioners will be confronted with management of the complex medical problems unique to patients with chronic renal impairment. As well documented in the literature, the nephrologist rarely manages the medical needs of CKD patients until renal replacement therapy is required. ~ Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Complications, Prim Care. 2008 Jun; 35(2): 329–vii,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC2474786/.
various symptoms, such as difficult or painful urination, frequent urges to urinate, eye puffiness, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, reduced appetite, muscle cramps, foot/ankle/hand swelling, and dry/itchy skin. Signs of kidney stones include extreme persistent back pain, fever/chills, vomiting, or urine that is smelly, burns upon urination, contains blood, or is cloudy.
Renal Dysfunction: Risk Factors and Testing
According to the National Kidney Foundation, 33% of adults in this country are at risk for kidney disease but are unaware of the risk factors. The fact that kidney disease increases the risk of
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