The Function Of The Kidneys
Your kidneys are located near the middle of your back, below the ribcage on either side. They are shaped like kidney beans and are about the size of your fist. They contain tiny filtering units called nephrons, which filter the blood and form urine to allow waste products to pass out of the body.
Only one healthy kidney is necessary for this process, allowing qualified adults to donate a kidney to a compatible family member as part of advanced kidney disease treatment. Of course, following such a life-saving donation, extra care must be taken to support the health of the remaining kidney.
Crucial functions performed by the kidneys include:
- Maintaining fluid balance and proper hydration
- Filtering and regulating minerals in the bloodstream
- Removing waste products resulting from food metabolism
- Eliminating toxins and medication residue
- Creating hormones which promote bone health, regulate blood pressure, and stimulate the production of red blood cells
In adults, the kidneys manufacture about a quart and a half of urine per day, depending on a number of variables. Some medications may cause an increase or decrease in the amount of urine produced.
The urine produced by the kidneys travels down the ureters to the bladder. Muscles which line the ureter walls tighten and relax to push the liquid down.. A small amount of urine is released by the kidneys every 10 to 15 seconds.1
Tips To Be Water Wise For Healthy Kidneys
Keep your kidneys healthy by being water wise. This means drinking the right amount of water for you. A common misconception is that everyone should drink eight glasses of water per day, but since everyone is different, daily water needs will vary by person. How much water you need is based on differences in age, climate, exercise intensity, as well as states of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and illness.
About 60-70% of your body weight is made up of water, and every part of your body needs it to function properly. Water helps the kidneys remove wastes from your blood in the form of urine. Water also helps keep your blood vessels open so that blood can travel freely to your kidneys, and deliver essential nutrients to them. But if you become dehydrated, then it is more difficult for this delivery system to work. Mild dehydration can make you feel tired, and can impair normal bodily functions. Severe dehydration can lead to kidney damage, so it is important to drink enough when you work or exercise very hard, and especially in warm and humid weather.
How Do You Flush Out Your Liver
Detox or flush is a fancy term that implies making dietary changes that help the liver function better. Many claims are made, wherein certain powders, pills, and enemas can be taken by individuals to clean their system however, your liver can cleanse itself. It does not require any extra aid in fact, many times, such detox can cause more harm than any good. Rather than using a pill or juice to flush out from the body, you can try these methods to help your liver clean your system:
- Flush out with plenty of water intake: Water is the best flushing agent. It flushes your liver and kidney when taken optimally. Make sure you have 8-10 glasses of water daily.
- Get regular exercise: Exercise helps to burn extra calories that reduce your risk of diabetes, excess weight, high blood pressure, and high blood fat. These conditions also have a relationship with fatty liver disease, which may cause liver cirrhosis .
- Limit alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol seriously hampers liver function. Stay away from alcohol as much as possible. The maximal allowed dose is one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men .
- Eat nutritious food: A balanced diet that includes organic pesticide-free fruits, vegetables, and whole grains keeps your liver healthy. The following foods could potentially help the body cells to heal and replenish:
- Apples
- Avocado
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Myth: You Need 2 Kidneys To Survive
FACT: Most of us are born with two normally functioning kidneys, but most people with one healthy kidney lead a normal life. In some cases, people may have one kidney on ground of donation or removal of one kidney due to cancer or severe infection with or without stones. A single healthy kidney can perform the essential functions of both.
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Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good For A Kidney Cleanse
Once the alcohol that used to be sugar undergoes its second fermentation, it transforms once more into vinegar. This occurs due to a bacteria, known as acetobacter, which starts to form, creating acetic acid.Acetic acid is also the ingredient which you taste in vinegars signature tangy flavor. This is also where you find the phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and calcium in vinegar, which CKD patients need to be mindful of.You may have heard of something called the mother, its frequently listed on the labels of many commercially available bottles of Apple Cider Vinegar. The mother is a membrane-like substance made of cellulose and the acetic acid bacteria responsible for the fermentation process. Including the mother in alcoholic liquids produces vinegar and many vinegar makers keep the mother intact floating at the bottom and generating beneficial enzymes and bacteria.Many health food experts have stated Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother intact is indicative of better quality and more potent health benefits.Proponents of Apple Cider Vinegars BenefitsAs stated, Apple Cider Vinegar is a very potent and popular natural remedywhich has been reputed to help with numerous different situations, such as:1. Regulating Blood Sugar
Is The Kidney Cleanse Good For Me
Kidney cleansing offers an effective, safe, all natural way to support healthy kidney function and helps the body to detox and flush the kidneys. The protocol only uses natural whole foods, herbs and home remedies. Many people like to also incorporate many of these recipes in their daily life to support overall good health.
We recommend to always check with your doctor before you start this protocol, or in fact do any cleanse. Specifically to the kidney cleanse, if you think you have an issue with your kidneys, have any medical/health concern, or currently take any medication, speak with your doctor before you do the cleanse.
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Does Drinking More Water Improve Kidney Function
Lynda Szczech, MD, MSE
Hello. I am Lynda Szczech, a practicing nephrologist in Durham, North Carolina. I’m coming to you from my front porch where, with two kids and three terriers in the house, sometimes it is the quietest place to record, even in a thunderstorm. Today I want to summarize the report of a clinical trial published recently in JAMA.This trial looked at the effect of increasing a patient’s water intake on kidney function over time.
Often, we hear patients say that they need to increase their water intake to flush the kidneys. As a nephrologist, when I hear that, I always wonder whether it really works, given the concentration gradient of urea and other things as the urine passes through the medulla. What is the physiologic significance of that? The authors lay this out in the introduction. They discuss previous work in humans as well as their own pilot study, which suggested that increasing the patient’s water intake lowers vasopressin levels, which could, in turn, benefit kidney function.
Effect of Fluid Intake on eGFR and Other Outcomes
These investigators randomly assigned 631 patients with stage 3 kidney diseaseestimated glomerular filtration rate between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73m2to one of two water intake arms. Patients in the hydration arm were coached to increase their water intake by 0.5 to 1.5 L per day. Patients in the maintenance or control arm were told to maintain or perhaps even lower their water intake by 0.5 L.
The Bottom Line
Tables
Myth: Kidney Disease Is Very Rare
FACT: Chronic kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death, globally. According to the World Health Organization, the estimated prevalence of chronic kidney disease worldwide is 8-16 per cent in adults above 30 years of age. Stressful lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits contribute to increased incidence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity thus increasing the kidney disease risk.
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Foods For Kidney Cleansing
In the meantime, keep these kidney cleansing foods in constant rotation of your diet so that you are constantly cleansing your kidneys:
Watermelon Watermelon contains a lot of water and also has a function of diuretic which can make people produce more urine so as to remove more wastes from the body.
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Lemon juice You can add to your water half a cup lemon juice a day, as lemon juice helps to reduce kidney stone formation. You can also use apple cider vinegar instead of a lemon: simply mix 6 teaspoons or so in about a gallon of purified water and drink throughout the day.
Berries Berries are very rich in antioxidants and contain many disease fighting qualities. They help to flush out uric acid from the kidneys thus keeping them healthier. Cranberries and blueberries are the best choice among all the berries, as they contain a substance that washes away the urea and uric acid from the kidneys. Also red grapes are very good for the kidneys.
Apples Apples are high in antioxidants and fiber and have anti-inflammatory compounds which can improve kidney function.
Facts About Kidney Health
Kidneys are one of the most vital organs in the body which excrete the toxic waste products formed as a result of metabolism in the body. Kidneys also maintain the fluids and salt balance of the body, and make hormones that help produce red blood cells, promote bone health and regulate blood pressure.Chronic Kidney Disease is the most common kidney-related ailment, and involves the gradual irreversible loss of kidney function over a period of years.Diabetes, and hypertension are major risk factors for chronic kidney disorder which is growing rapidly amongst Indians. Other risk factors for kidney diseases include obesity, family history of kidney disease, and excessive use of pain killers, active smoking, heart disease and older age.On World Kidney Day, Dr Vijay Kher, Chairman, Kidney and Urology Institute of Medanta Hospital, Gurugram debunked the popular myths surrounding kidney disease and renal health, and shared better prevention and management tips of the condition.
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You Have Elevated Blood Pressure
There is a correlation between high blood pressure and poor kidney functioning, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. More specifically, when you have high blood pressure, you’re at an increased risk of damaging blood vessels in the kidneys, which interferes with their ability to work properly.
What Is A Kidney Detox
Your kidneys might be small, but they sure are mighty. These two bean-shaped organs, which are located on either side of your spine, are responsible for filtering blood and removing waste and extra fluid from your body. They also remove acid produced by the cells that maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals.
Even though your kidneys are capable of detoxing on their own, they may not be functioning optimally. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, and trouble sleeping. By making certain lifestyle modifications and creating a diet based on kidney-friendly foods and beverages, you can assist the body’s natural detoxification process.
Plus, when you set out to do a kidney detox, Vincent Pedre, M.D., a board-certified internist and functional medicine doctor, says you’re not just detoxing your kidneys, you’re supporting detoxification for every organ system in your body.
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Utis And Kidney Stones
Urinary tract infections and kidney stones are two common conditions that may affect your kidneys. Water and hydration help prevent them and keep your kidneys healthy.There is no scientific proof that drinking extra water on top of the amount needed for your body to function correctly, adds any benefits to your health.
Maintaining Good Kidney Health
Tuning into the needs of your body is a great way to become healthy. Hatha yoga taught me what a relaxed, tuned-in body feels like, and how to notice it the minute something was off. From there I learned to question, research, and experiment to see what my body liked best in terms of food, stress levels, attitude, and exercise. Now I’m 60+ years old and nearly as healthy as I was as a young adult.
In order to trust your body, it’s important to experiment and even document its functions and reactions to the things you try as you are learning. Don’t try to “make it work.” It already knows how to work. Because each person’s body is different, the following suggestions are for you to check to see if they fit you:
Remember that your body knows how to function and take care of itself beautifully. Your job is to do what feels good to it, instead of resisting the changes that keep it healthy: Eat well, stay joyful, exercise in a fun way, drink lots of water, keep yourself clean inside, and appreciate the body you have.
Healthy bodies feel really great to have! Every step you take to improve your health is well worth the effort.
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Easy Ways To Cleanse Your Kidneys
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The kidneys are amazing little organs. Each day, they process about 200 quarts of blood, getting rid of excess water and waste products, removing toxins and keeping the body functioning smoothly. If the kidneys are not able to remove toxins and waste from the body, they will build up in the body and hinder the normal function of kidneys, liver and other organs, resulting in exhaustion, stomach pain, headaches, water retention and other problems. Buildup of toxins and waste also may lead to kidney stones, a mass of crystals or unprocessed minerals which can grow to the size of a golf ball. Kidney stones affect 10-15 percent of American adults, but also may be found in children as young as five.
Kidney stones causes and symptoms
There are many causes of kidney stones, such as dehydration, excessively acidic urine, urinary tract infections, buildup of waste and toxins in the kidneys, among others. The symptoms of kidney stones include excessive lower back, abdominal or urinary tract pain which may be sharp, mild or excruciating, severe vomiting or feeling nauseated, persistent urge to pass urine, and constant chills or sweating. While the symptoms vary depending on the size of the stones, unceasing pain and discomfort on the sides is a good reason to see a urologist. Kidney stones are easily curable if diagnosed early.
Why you should cleanse your kidneys
Below are 8 easy ways to cleanse your kidneys
Why Detoxification Is Unnecessary
Its true that some foods and herbs in detox regimens may have benefits for kidney health. However, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, theres no convincing evidence that detox regimens successfully remove toxins from the body or improve health.
According to toxicologist Claude Viau, Director of the Institut de recherche en santé publique at Université de Montréal, some toxic agents leave traces in the body. However, they are generally present in minute quantities and no treatment can eliminate them, not even detox diets. Industrial poisoning is a special case since there are treatments for exposure to lead and certain other heavy metals.
For those who still want to help their kidneys do their job well, Dr. Eric Cadesky, a family doctor in Vancouver, recommends eating fresh, colourful foods, and drinking plenty of water.
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Kidney Cleanse Supplements & Herbs
Many kidney cleanse supplements contain herbs known to cleanse, detox and support healthy kidney and bladder function. Some of the herbs can be very effective to detox the kidneys, others have very little evidence on their safety or effectiveness.
The top kidney cleanse herbs that do have evidence as both safe and effective include chanca piedra , uva ursi , hydrangea, goldenrod , horsetail , and marshmallow .
When it comes to kidney cleansing herbs, it is always best to use fresh herbs from a trusted source. Getting fresh high quality kidney cleansing herbs, however, is not always possible. If thats the case, we recommend to use alcohol free liquid tinctures that contain active extracts of the kidney cleanse herbs. The benefit of using the liquid form is improved absorption and solubility in the body, along with the ease of use. You can easily mix it with water, teas or other detox or kidney cleansing drinks.
A good example is Renaltrex by Dr. Groups, which is the liquid kidney cleanse herbs complex we use in our kidney cleanse drink.
How Does The Kidney Cleanse Drink Work
- Water.The main function of the kidneys is to filter waste products and extra fluids and flush them from the body as urine. To do that effectively, the kidneys need enough water. For this reason, the most important step in a kidney cleanse is to drink enough liquids. The current guideline for total water intake for young men and women is 3.7 L and 2.7 L per day, respectively .When you do a kidney cleanse, you may find that you need to drink even more. In General, you should drink enough so you have a strong urine flow, with clear urine color.
- Lemon juice. Lemon juice is an excellent natural source of citric acid. According to research, drinks that contain citric acid can help to increase urinary citrate excretion, which is a primary focus in the medical management of kidney stones. .
- Apple cider vinegar.ACV is known to promote an alkaline environment inside the body, which can alter the acidity in the urine. This can help the kidneys to better pass toxins, and may also prevent the formation of kidney stones. A study that evaluated the connection between the dietary habits of 12,570 adults to kidney stones in china, found that more consumption of tea, legumes, and fermented vinegar was associated with a lesser risk of kidney stone formation .
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