Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

Your kidneys are responsible for detoxification and purification of the blood. A very important job indeed, and a gateway to good health if they are properly taken care of. Our health depends greatly on the function of our kidneys. Congestion of some part of the urinary passage, accumulation of acids due to a faulty diet, and too little an intake of fresh water, are the main causes of a great number of kidney diseases. Retention of fluids, and soreness to touch may indicate kidney malfunction. Puffy eyes and face, or the tissues in the abdomen and legs can take place; and the back over the kidneys is often very tender in a person with kidney troubles. In severe cases the whole body can swell as the tissues become waterlogged because the kidneys are not functioning to eliminate the fluid.

In Ancient Chinese medicine the kidneys are considered the organ of your life force. The theory holds that the kidneys store the jing, or "vital essence" and are associated with reproduction and creativity. In Western medicine, the hormones produced by the adrenal cortex play a similar role, and many traditional kidney tonics support the adrenal glands as well.

KIDNEY STONES
If you have had kidney stones recently it would be best to concentrate your healing efforts on the detoxifying and tonifying of your kidneys. The best method for this is to drink plenty of water. Increasing fluid intake in general, reduces the amount of minerals that can build up in your kidneys that form stones, or gravel. Plus the fluids will push through any toxins that may stagnate in the kidneys; essentially helping in the process of detoxification.

KIDNEY INFECTIONS
If you recently had a kidney infection, you may already be on a series of antibiotics, and I would recommend including acidophilus bacterium in your diet. The medicine you are on unfortunately has the side effect of killing all the good bacteria in your system as well as the one that caused your infection. A good food source of acidophilus is yogurt; ideally with added cultures. Just be sure it is not too sugary though, as this can work against the benefits.

Some good yogurt brands that are cultured: Stoneyfield Farms, Barbara's, Horizon, Tillamook, Dannon Activa, or any brand of kefir (a more cultured yogurt.)

Another thing that is greatly needed at this juncture in your healing is more fluids - flush your kidneys out. Ideally more water should be consumed, but you can drink any of your regular drinks. Be sure to avoid heavy sugars and chemicals though, as this would actually overload your kidneys at this point. The general rule is to increase your daily fluid intake to about 1/2 oz of fluid per pound of flesh.

DETOXIFICATION
Detoxification is the key to overall kidney and urinary tract health. Eating berries or drinking the juice is extremely beneficial. In particular blueberries, cranberries, acai and noni berries; since they are extremely high in antioxidants. Also, cranberry has been shown to help keep the bladder and ureters acidic and inhospitable for bacteria to grow, protecting the whole urinary tract.

Here are some simple things you can do to avoid infections:

1. Urinate after intercourse - Clearing the tract of potential bacteria.

2. Get plenty of sleep - This keeps your immune system strong.

3. Try to deal with life calmly - Avoiding stress and worry when possible.

4. Take a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement - Keeping your system strong is the best way to avoid recurrent infections.

5. Keep your bowels moving - Constipation can overload the kidneys.

6. Drink plenty of fluids!

Signs that you may have a serious kidney or bladder condition:

* Pain in the lower abdomen and backsides.

* Frequent or urgent urination that is painful.

* Urine that is darker or more cloudy than usual.

In the case of any of these symptoms it is extremely important to see your physician, as an infection could be present. If left untreated, more serious conditions such as kidney stones or nephritis could occur.

Recurrent bladder, UTI and kidney infections or ailments are generally due to the loss of cellular vitality within the urinary tract. The kidneys are designed to eliminate toxins from the body, but if there are metabolic defects, bacterial activity or a build-up of ingested chemicals, dysfunction occurs. Lifestyle modifications are a great way to avoid these ailments or create a healing environment in your body.

Make a detoxification plan, adjust some lifestyle factors and create a diet and exercise regime that fits your specific needs.

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