The kidneys don’t get a lot of glory, but they have a significant impact on overall health and wellness.
These bean-shaped organs are slightly larger than a fist and located at the back part of the abdomen in the flank area. They serve as our filtration and buffering system, removing waste and extra fluids from the body. Altogether, our kidneys filter about 150 quarts of blood daily, one to two quarts of which become urine.
In addition to filtering waste from the blood, the kidneys also perform other essential functions: 1
- Controlling red blood cell production
- Producing hormones that regulate blood pressure
- Balancing salt, potassium, and pH levels in the body
- Producing a type of vitamin D that aids in calcium absorption for healthy bones and muscle function
According to Chinese medicine, the kidneys provide reserve energy to any organ in the body that is depleted and low in energy. The strength of the kidneys can also determine our inherent capacity, which naturally relates to our genetics. The concept of genetics in Chinese medicine, our inherent potential, is described by the Chinese term jing, commonly translated as “essence.” The kidneys are the storehouse of our jing, and Chinese medicine uses different therapeutic methods, such as acupuncture, herbs, qigong, and Tai Chi to nourish and maintain the jing.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is perhaps the most overlooked medical condition, affecting about 14 percent of the population and 38 percent of the adult population over age 65. Causes of CKD include poor blood flow, autoimmune processes, infections, chemical insults, and side effects from different medications.
Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD and kidney failure, along with hypertension and arteriosclerotic disease. Most CKD develops gradually, and people can go many years without symptoms before it’s discovered. There are four stages of CKD. Each stage reflects the level of decrease in the volume of blood that the kidneys can filter in one minute, also known as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). CKD is diagnosed when abnormalities of kidney function are present for more than three months.
Too often, it goes unnoticed until it is quite advanced.
Common symptoms of CKD include:
- Dry, itchy skin
- Need to urinate more often–especially at night
- Puffiness around the eyes–especially in the morning
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor appetite
- Muscle cramps at night
- Tiredness and low energy
- Trouble concentrating
Risk factors in developing kidney disease include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Family history of kidney failure
- Old age
- Of African, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American descent
According to conventional medicine, there is no cure for CKD, and there is no established treatment to stop the process from occurring. Current treatments attempt to slow the deterioration by controlling contributing factors like high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels, and autoimmune processes, and by eliminating pharmaceuticals and chemicals that damage our kidneys. However, I have witnessed remarkable reversals of CKD with the integration of innovative treatment strategies.
Start Supporting Your Kidneys Today with These 11 Tips:
1: Get These Kidney Tests
A few tests can tell a person how well their kidneys function. Ask your doctor for the following tests, especially if you are in a high-risk category (see below), to help identify any issues before more serious problems occur.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): This blood test measures blood creatinine levels to assess how well the kidneys filter blood. A good score is 90 or above; 60-89 should be monitored, and less than 60 (for 3 months) indicates kidney disease.
Protein In Urine (test): An early indicator of kidney disease and damage is the presence of albumin (a protein) in the urine. Your level should be 30 mg or less of albumin per gram of urinary creatinine.
Depending on the outcome of these tests, a doctor can help patients manage any symptoms and assess whether they need to be treated. Whether kidney disease is absent, likely, or present, it’s important to do whatever it takes to maintain optimal kidney health. This not only helps prevent the development of kidney disease, but it also assists the body in reacting to any medications or lifestyle changes prescribed.
If you have risk factors for kidney disease, get your kidney function tested regularly. If there are any changes, knowing about it sooner can allow a patient and their doctor to intervene early and slow the damage down, while preventing more damage from occurring. People with the following risk factors may want to participate in regular kidney screenings:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- family history of heart disease or high blood pressure
- obesity
- possible kidney damage
2: Maintain Overall Good Kidney Health
Whether kidney disease is present or not, maintaining simple lifestyle habits will help the kidneys function. For those without any kidney disease, these preventative steps include:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Drink alcohol only in moderation
- Quit smoking
- Drink plenty of water
- Exercise regularly
- Get an annual physical to assess overall health–including kidneys
If kidney disease is diagnosed, additional steps include:
- Reducing salt and fructose intake
- Lowering high blood pressure
- Keep blood sugar levels managed
- Avoid too much protein
3: Utilize Free Resources
For those in the at-risk categories, it’s important to learn as much as possible about kidney disease. Talking to a doctor to assess risk and get tested is an easy first step. Additionally, the National Kidney Foundation offers free resources through its KEEP Healthy program that includes free screening and testing events.
4: Drink Lots of Water for Kidney Health
Proper hydration allows the kidneys to function the way they’re supposed to. They need water to clear out toxins and excess sodium. Common recommendations for daily water intake are eight glasses, OR dividing body weight in pounds by half, and drinking the equivalent number of ounces. Example: if you weigh 140 lbs, you would drink 70 oz of water per day. However, a person’s hydration needs may change depending on their activity level, health status, medication, the climate where they live, and if they are pregnant or breastfeeding, among other factors.
5: Monitor Blood Pressure for Kidney Health
High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of kidney disease, so it’s important to check blood pressure levels regularly. 120/80 is considered a healthy blood pressure reading. When a patient’s blood pressure reading is between 120/80 and 139/89, they are considered pre-hypertensive. However, it is still possible for people to lower their blood pressure with diet and lifestyle changes at this stage. (1, 3)
Consistent blood pressure readings over 140/90 would indicate high blood pressure. A doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and other solutions to prevent high blood pressure from creating kidney and heart issues.
6: Eat a Healthy Diet for Kidney Health
Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to keep blood pressure levels healthy. And the foods a person consumes can help the kidneys function at their best. Avoid foods with too much sodium or fat, which can damage the kidneys. Focus on incorporating fresh produce and whole grains to create a diet that supports kidney health.
7: Manage Blood Sugar for Kidney Health
People who have diabetes need to pay extra attention to their blood sugar to keep from damaging their kidneys. When there is too much glucose in the blood, the kidneys have to do extra work to filter it out. Over time, this can cause damage to the kidneys that is potentially fatal. Effectively managing blood sugar prevents this damage from happening so that the kidneys do not become overworked.
8: Quit Smoking for Kidney Health
Smoking puts kidney health at risk in several different ways. It raises blood pressure, which is a risk factor for kidney disease. Smoking also shrinks blood vessels. This reduces the amount of blood that can flow to and through the kidneys, which can worsen existing damage. For those who smoke, quitting can support both kidney and overall health.
9: Limit Alcohol Intake for Kidney Health
Excessive drinking can cause damage to the kidneys. This damage can happen because of binge drinking (consuming more than five drinks on one occasion) or more slowly through drinking too much, or too often. In fact, studies have found that alcohol use disorder doubles the risk of chronic kidney disease.
Alcohol is one of the toxins that the kidneys have to filter out of the body. The kidneys of excessive drinkers have to work much harder because there are more toxins to filter out. Additionally, alcohol affects the kidneys’ ability to do their jobs. It makes them less effective at filtering blood and regulating the body’s fluids and electrolytes.
Over-consuming alcohol can also raise blood pressure. While having one or two drinks now and again won’t have a significant impact on the kidneys, drinking too much can have dire consequences for these important organs.
10: Keep an Eye on Over-the-Counter Medicine Intake for Kidney Health
Many people don’t think twice about taking over-the-counter pills for mild aches and pains. However, overusing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Tylenol and ibuprofen can damage the kidneys.
For people who don’t have kidney problems, taking NSAIDs every once in a while shouldn’t cause issues. But people who take them daily could be putting their kidney health at risk. Those who are struggling with chronic pain, frequent headaches, or arthritis should talk to their doctors about pain management that won’t hurt the kidneys.
11: Take Care with Supplements and Herbal Remedies
People with kidney problems who are planning to take natural supplements or herbal remedies should consult an experienced health provider in this area. Some supplements can be harmful to the kidneys if taken in disproportionate amounts. Like any treatment, anyone with a serious condition must consult a trained health provider to determine if a supplement or herbal remedy may support their health.
Follow these tips to support kidney health and keep the body in tip-top shape!
Sources:
Choi MD J. 8 Ways to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-health. Published May 29, 2020. Accessed November 3, 2020.
Eckardt K-U, Coresh J, Devuyst O, et al. Evolving importance of kidney disease: from subspecialty to global health burden. Lancet. 2013;382(9887):158-169.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673613604390
Keeping your kidneys healthy. NHS Choices. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/keeping-your-kidneys-healthy/. Published December 20, 2017. Accessed November 4, 2020.
Drinking Alcohol Affects Your Kidneys. National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/news/kidneyCare/winter10/AlcoholAffects. Published March 3, 2017. Accessed November 4, 2020.
Pan C-syuan, Ju TR, Lee CC, et al. Alcohol use disorder tied to development of chronic kidney disease: A nationwide database analysis. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0203410. Published September 6, 2018. Accessed November 4, 2020. Urinary and Kidney Team. 7 secrets to keeping your kidneys healthy. Clevelandclinic.org. Published August 16, 2019. Accessed December 14, 2020. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-secrets-to-keeping-your-kidneys-healthy-2/
