Consumption of adequate amounts of water is very important in promoting good kidney health. Most people already know that it is important to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. If you have a kidney disorder such as kidney stone, however, this is probably not enough. Some medical practitioners recommend drinking the equivalent of half your body weight in ounces of water, per day. For example if your weight is 160 lbs, then you should drink at least 80 ozs of water which is equivalent to approximately 10 (8 oz) glasses. This is only a guide and would probably be inappropriate for persons with excessive body weight.

Adequate water consumption is not only important for kidney health but many other biological functions. Water helps to maintain the correct concentration and volume of blood as well as aiding in digestion, regulating body temperature and blood circulation, and helps to flush toxins and other waste products from the body.

The kidney needs a lot of water in order to perform its crucial function of removing toxins from the body and maintaining the correct concentration of the blood and other body fluids. Adequate water consumption also reduces the chances of developing some kidney stones.

1. Increase fluid intake. This is the most important preventive measure for all patients who develop kidney stones. It hinders the formation of stones by diluting the urine. For example, more sugar can be dissolved in a full glass of iced tea than in a half glass. Patients should drink enough fluid to produce two quarts or more of urine each day. As a guideline, drink 8-10 oz of fluid every hour while awake, and 8-10 oz once during the night if awakened for some reason. At least 50% of the total fluid intake should be water. In warmer climates and for physically active people, an even higher fluid intake is recommended.

2. Calcium: Calcium from food sources is absorbed during digestion in the intestines. The body uses this mineral for many important functions. Any excess that has been absorbed is excreted or passed through the kidneys. The biggest portion of calcium in the diet comes from milk and foods made from large amounts of milk, such as cheeses and yogurt. The calcium in these foods is usually easily absorbed. Other foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables, contain significant amounts of calcium. However, they also contain other substances which prevent the body from readily absorbing the calcium. So, the amount of available calcium in green leafy vegetables is less than in milk. Certain antacids and over-the-counter medications also contain calcium that may or may not be in a form the body can absorb.

3. Oxalic acid or oxalate is found mostly in foods from plants. Calcium combines with oxalate in the intestines. This reduces calcium’s ability to be absorbed. Sometimes oxalate or calcium oxalate stones form because there is not enough calcium in the intestines. Then, too much oxalate goes to the kidneys to be excreted. The medical term for too much oxalate in the urine is hyperoxaluria. In certain cases of oxalate or calcium oxalate stones, the physician may recommend reducing oxalate intake along with a slight increase in calcium. It is recommended that these patients have no more than 50 mg of oxalate per day in the diet. To do this, foods with high or moderate amounts of oxalate should be reduced or eliminated from the diet.

Although there are many foods that contain large amounts of oxalate, eight foods have been shown to be most at fault for raising urine oxalate levels. They are rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, chocolate, wheat bran, nuts, beets, and tea. For more information about the oxalate content of foods, see the table, Foods High in Oxalate on page 6.

4. Sugar, sodium, and animal protein: It has been found that too much of these may also aggravate the development of calcium or calcium oxalate stones. Some sugars occur naturally in foods and that is not a concern. However, people who get kidney stones may benefit from avoiding packaged foods with large amounts of added sugars, and from reducing sugars added in food preparation and at the table.

Reducing sodium in the diet appears to reduce the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. Consequently, people who develop stones containing calcium may benefit from keeping sodium intake between 2300 to 3500 mg a day.

A diet high in animal protein affects certain minerals in the urine that may promote the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, people who tend to develop kidney stones should avoid eating more protein than the body needs each day. The physician or registered dietitian can recommend a daily protein intake for individual patients.

5. Insoluble fiber: Fiber is the indigestible part of plants. There are two types of fiber: soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble. Both provide important functions in the body, but it is insoluble fiber (found in wheat, rye, barley, and rice) that may help to reduce calcium in the urine. It combines with calcium in the intestines, so the calcium is excreted with the stool instead of through the kidneys. Insoluble fiber also speeds up movement of substances through the intestine, so there will be less time for calcium to be absorbed.

6. Vitamin C: When vitamin C is used by the body, oxalate is produced. Therefore, if the physician has recommended reducing oxalate in the diet, taking vitamin C supplements may not be a good idea. It should be discussed with the physician.

Clean, support and detoxify your kidneys with all natural herbs. With herbal formulas you can actually promote the dissolution of kidney stones and help prevent recurrent kidney stone formation.

As you cleanse and support good Kidney and Urinary health you will also expel toxins and wastes from your kidneys.

When looking for an all natural herbal formulation you want one that cleanses, detoxifies and nourishes the kidneys and the entire urinary system. Natural herbs are quite effective in dispelling kidney stones and will also prevent them from coming back.

There are Many Beneficial Herbs for Kidney Health

Corn-silk tea is great single herb for increasing urine flow and restoring the kidneys.

Parsley leaves and root tea is commonly used for kidney cleanse.

Parsley seeds are also diuretics, and are used for dissolving kidney stones.

Watermelon seed tea was specifically recommended by Edgar Cayce for kidney stones. It was also suggested to simulate underactive kidneys

Nettle Leaves: Rich in Chlorophyll, this herb is also used for the urinary system for it strengthens and supports the whole body because it is very rich in chlorophyll.

Other Beneficial Herbs:

* Buchu
* Sarsaparilla Root
* Hydrangea Root
* Ginger Root
* Barberry
* Chinese Medicine herbs He-shou-wu and Wu-wei-zi
* Fenugreek

Why Nourish, Cleanse, and Support the Kidneys?

When you care for the kidneys you essentially help your body function. You kidneys have many important jobs to do:

* Elimination of metabolic wastes
* Blood pressure regulation
* Stimulate red cell production
* Vitamin D Activation
* Balance acid by excreting alkaline salts
* Fluid and electrolyte balance
* Excrete Urine and regulate waste
* Hormone Balance

When you eat foods that stress out the kidneys, you also effect your body’s balance. This causes diseases, such as diabetes, and kidney disease. So limit your intake of refined white sugar, and eat good fats. You can’t afford to damage your kidneys. You want to nourish them so they can help your body eliminate waste.

Best thing is to avoid sugar, refined carbs, greasy fats, and make better food choices. Also drink lots of water, and occasionally do a kidney cleanse. This will help your body have the raw materials available to produce the hormones it needs to keep you healthy.

A good kidney supplement is most beneficial to incorporate into your wellness plan along with an occasional Kidney cleanse.

Learn the Symptoms of Kidney Disease

Early stages of kidney disease are hard to detect because there are often no symptoms. As the disease progresses kidney functioning deteriorates and can lead to any of the following problems.

* Nauseousness and vomiting
* Body Itchiness
* Water retention causing swollen face, hands or feet
* Cramping of muscles
* Decreased amounts of urine
* Dark and roamy looking urine
* Pain in the leg flanks
* High blood pressure
* Loss of appetite

If I Use a Natural Remedy or Homeopathic Product Will it Really Help?

If you leave kidney infections and ailment untreated, the disease of the kidney can progress and become irreversible. This is a serious concern because kidney problems are a significant threat to your health. This is why people with diabetes need to take extra precaution along with people who have high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease. It is very important to actively prevent this serious health problem by keeping internal organs in optimum condition.

Kidney problems respond well to complementary medicine and a holistic heal ting approaches (including diet). Both will improve kidney function and ultimately decrease the need for prescription drugs or surgery.

Why are the kidneys so important? Although this pair of bean-shaped organs is relatively small, they are responsible for ensuring that the blood circulating in our body is free from harmful organisms, waste products and excess water.

Your kidneys work extra hard to ensure your continued well-being. Every day, 20% of the blood pumped by the heart or approximately 200 quarts of blood passes through your kidneys for cleansing purposes. Every day, at least 2 quarts of unwanted waste materials are sifted from the blood before it is even allowed to return to general circulation.

To really appreciate the role of our kidneys in ensuring our well-being, let us take a peep on how these organs function. Each of these tiny organs is composed of about a million tinier units called “nephrons”. Inside these nephrons, a tiny blood vessel (”glomerulus”) is intertwined with a tiny urine-collecting tube (tubule). As blood passes through these nephrons, a complex interaction occurs between the glomerulus and the tubule which results in the elimination of wastes in the blood. These waste materials then enter the urinary tract and end up being excreted in the urine.

Aside from sifting the unwanted materials from the blood, the kidneys also take charge of the following functions:

. Regulation of the composition of the blood

. Maintenance of the ideal concentrations of vital substances and ions in the blood

. Sustaining the proper volume of water in the body

. Eliminating toxic wastes from the body

. Maintaining the acid-base concentration of the blood

. Normalizing blood pressure

. Promoting the production of red blood cells

. Maintaining the ideal calcium level in the body

Despite the numerous tasks performed by the kidneys to ensure our safety, it is sad to note that there are a lot of people who neglect to take care of their kidneys properly. In fact, in the United States alone, more than 300,000 people suffer from renal failure every single year! These people are either currently undergoing dialysis or waiting for a kidney transplant. It is also an established fact that an average person like you and me has a 1 to 10 chance in developing a kidney stone in our lifetime. This is undeniably a very alarming figure indeed!

So, what can we do to prevent this from happening? We need to start taking care of our health and to pay attention to our kidneys as well. Two of the leading causes of kidney diseases are diabetes and high blood pressure. Excessive amount of glucose in the blood negatively affects the nephrons and interferes with the normal functioning of the kidneys. High blood pressure, on the other hand, may put excessive strain on the glomerulus thereby interfering with the regular functions of the system. Other kidney infections such as glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis may also trigger renal failure. Certain drugs can also exert debilitating effects.

To avoid developing kidney troubles, it is therefore necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You may start by considering the following tips:

. Maintain a healthy blood pressure

. Limit intake of foods which dramatically increase the blood sugar and cholesterol levels

. Load up on water to prevent dehydration

. Avoid adding too much salt to the diet

. Minimize stress

. Have a regular exercise routine.

. Limit medications to those prescribed by your family physician.

The importance of a kidney cleanse

A good kidney cleanse is vital to keep our kidneys healthy. It is, by definition, any procedure which involves the intake of a large amount of liquid and a healing diet. Sometimes, it is enough to alter our diet to a more healthfy one and to increase our water intake to take advantage of the positive effects of a kidney cleanse. For some cases, however, a more stringent fasting procedure is needed.

Water fasting involves taking in large quantities of water for a specified period of time without food. Juicing (or juice fasting) is also an excellent way to cleanse and detoxify the kidneys. It is less severe than water fasting since it provides the body with the nutrients, minerals, enzymes and energy needed to support the various metabolic processes during the fast. Several herbal recipes have also been concocted to induce a thorough kidney cleanse. Some of the herbs used in these types of kidney cleanses are hydrangea root, gravel root, marshmallow root, ginger root and fresh parsley, to name a few.

With the proper guidance from a qualified medical professional, a good kidney detoxification program coupled with dietary and lifestyle change can dramatically improve your health.

If the bowel, liver, or the skin is not functioning properly the blood will be more toxic and will cause more acid than the kidneys are designed to handle. Many with gout will attest to this fact.

Probably what causes the most abuse to the kidneys are:

COFFEE, TEA AND SODA. Some people think that it’s the caffeine in these drinks that is hard on the kidneys and joints. Caffeine is not good for you, but it is the tannic acid that damages the kidneys. Another real offender is artificial colored sugar water. Carbonation is also very hard on the kidneys.

DON’T DRINK COFFEE, TEA, SODA, AND ARTIFICIAL COLORED DRINKS.  CUT OUT ALL MILK PRODUCTS AND LIMIT RED MEATS.

Do drink good water, juices and herbal teas.

There’s a prevailing opinion that there’s no such thing as too much water.  Does the advice “drink eight glasses a day” really hold water?  Many women believe that the more they drink, especially when it comes in designer bottles, the less they’ll eat, the more they’ll “flush” toxins from their bodies, and the moister and dewier their skin will be.  Countless magazine articles have recommended eight glasses a day (two quarts) as the gold standard of liquid health.  None of these suppositions bear medical scrutiny.  A diligent review, published in the American Journal of Physiology, could neither locate the origins of this edict, nor any evidence to support it.  The moisture in your skin will suffer only if you meet the medical standards for dehydration.  There’s no need to monitor the color of your urine or count your empty water bottles.  We have a marvelous built-in hydration control.  It’s called thirst, which works through multiple hormones and sensors in our vascular system.  Also, much of what we consume contains liquid, even though it’s not water, and despite what you’ve heard, coffee, caffeinated soft drinks and other fluids do count.  Finally, there are good reasons not to overdo fluids.  Many women complain of incontinence problems simply because their overfilled bladder contracts before they reach the toilet.  Just like most vitamins, a deficiency of water is bad, but excess is unhelpful and can even be dangerous.  If you take in fluid faster than your kidneys can process it, you could even end up with “water intoxication,” causing confusion, coma and even death.

There are 6 essential nutrients that our bodies require for health, growth, maintenance and development. These are

• protein
• carbohydrates
• fats
• vitamins
• minerals
• water

If we deprive ourselves of any one these nutrients, then we are jeopardizing not only our physical health, but our mental health as well, each through mal-nourishment. Any nutrition educator will tell you that your body needs these nutrients to maintain itself. A deficiency in any one of these life sustaining nutrients could be detrimental. My husband tells clients each day, “Your body needs essential fats, good protein and complex carbohydrates for energy, healing, health, existence AND fat loss or muscle building. Deplete yourself of any one of the three and you’re heading for defeat.”