Preventing Kidney Disease Naturally
Your doctor will tell you which specific foods are harmful to you. You should also work with a nutritionist to create a nutrition plan that suits your needs.
Our kidneys take over the function of filtering toxins and minerals in the blood. They remove waste and extra water to make the urine. Because of this, they are among the most important organs in the human body and we should help them stay healthy so they can do their jobs well.
The best way to find out about your kidney function is to have a medical check-up. Because early-stage kidney disease may not have symptoms, tests will be needed to detect it.
Along with the guidelines and treatment your doctor recommends, you can establish healthy lifestyle habits and some foods that can help keep your kidneys healthy.
How can we prevent kidney disease?
One of the easiest, most natural and cheapest ways to prevent kidney disease is to drink enough water, about 8 glasses a day. Although this study, conducted by Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario, linked higher water consumption to a positive effect on kidney function, it is not yet known whether this will be of benefit to patients with chronic kidney disease.
On the other hand, alcoholic beverages should be avoided as much as possible. A study by Soochow University in China suggests that high alcohol consumption increases the risk of chronic kidney disease. Therefore, these drinks should not be misused so that the kidneys stay healthy for many years.
Other studies, like this one from Yale University, show the possibility that elevated oxalate levels could contribute to the progression of CKD and systemic inflammation.
We should avoid these foods, which are high in oxalates: beetroot, spinach, chard, soy, wheat germ, peanuts and chocolate.
However, if you are prone to kidney stones it is very important that you find out what type of stones they are. Your doctor will be able to tell you which specific foods are harmful to you. You should also work with a nutritionist to come up with a nutrition plan that suits your needs.
Food to prevent kidney stones
The diseases that can affect the proper functioning of the kidneys include the dreaded and painful stones. In this case, it is imperative to go to the specialist to study the situation, size and origin of the stones.
Since not all stones are of the same type, individual treatment for kidney stones will depend on the type of stone. The most common is formed from calcium and oxalate. This is why it is so important for a doctor to recommend which foods to consume in each case.
According to this research by the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Ohio), he will likely recommend consuming fruits such as citrus fruits because they contain high levels of citrate, which is the main inhibitor of crystallization.
Second, the urinary excretion of potassium reduces calcification. Many fruits are rich in potassium (watermelon, melon, orange, tangerine, grape, banana). The watermelon is a fruit that contains a lot of water, which is why it is usually recommended in these cases.
On the other hand, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has long been used in traditional medicine for its diuretic, antiangiogenic, anti- rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties, but its antiurolytic effects and essential components have not been fully studied.
In this study, carried out by Azad Islamic University (Iran), the anti-crystallization activities of taraxasterol, a dandelion compound, and its anti-urolytic effects were examined and compared. However, the formation of kidney stones is not just a crystallization phenomenon, so the effects of dandelions must be further researched.
Magnesium for the kidneys
Magnesium deserves a separate mention. It is believed that this substance could reduce the production of kidney stones, according to a study by Nordsjællands Hospital (Denmark). It would also be a good idea to consult and learn what foods can provide us with the necessary amounts of this mineral.
If the doctor deems it appropriate, we can try making it part of our daily diet to keep the stones out of our kidneys. In addition, you should follow the instructions of the specialist for the correct treatment of kidney disease and follow the diet recommended by him for support.
