Nutritional information for the kidneys

The kidneys are considered to be the most important organs of the excretion process. Located in the small of the back, one on each side of the spinal column, the kidneys are anchored within a ball of special fat. They maintain the normal water balance of the body as well as the balance of all body compounds, including the ph, acid-alkaline, balance. Besides forming urine by removing water and certain waste products, the kidneys filter materials from the blood and return substances to the body to maintain a proper concentration of minerals and fluids.

Each of these fantastic filters contains over one million corpuscles called nephron. Each nephron has a spherically shaped structure called a glomerulus, and each glomeruls is attached to a tubule which is smaller than a human hair.

Although adults have an average of twelve quarts of blood, due to constant circulation, the kidneys filter about 4000 quarts daily.

This recycling process is very precise and even critical in the regulation of minerals. The minerals in solution monitored by the kidneys are called electrolytes. An electrolyte is any substance capable of carrying an electrical current. In solution, it is the electrolyted that conduct or carry an electric current between the brain and the nervous system. The electrolytes include calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. When excessive fluid is lost, the concentration of electrolytes increases. This puts demand on the amount of fluid necessary and the body conserves by absorbing water from from the saliva, leaving a dry sensation in the mouth. An adequate intake of fluid is necessary to healthy kidneys.

Because of the function of kidneys to regulate fluid ccirculation, they also establish blood pressure. Not only are they the primary regulators of blood pressure, they are also the chief regulators of the production of red blood cells. It is blood albumion that has the job of "collecting" urine. when the kidneys are damaged, and especially when the person is anemic, there is an excess loss of albumin. This results in wastes being retained in the tissues. Adequate amounts of dietary protein, with protein digestant enzymes if needed, can provide the necessary albumin.

Many of us associate fluid regulating job of the kidneys with swelling of the tissues and diuretics. Diuretics are used to reduce this swelling which is often caused by conditions such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, premenstrual tension and other types of stress, both physical and emotional. The main function of diuretics is to rid the body of excess water by increasing the flow of urine. Diuretics work within the kidneys to block sodium reassertion. This increases sodium excretion and since water follows sodium, it is also elimnated.

A possible formulation of nutrients that could be employed successfully is listed below:

Vitamin B6 is itself a natural diuretic. It has been used successfully with pregnant women and with women suffering with water retention during menstruation or ovulation. B6 helps to prevent kidney stones and sets up a balance of the minerals sodium and potassium in the body. This vitamin has also been used to bring relief in cases of nephritis, kidney infection.

Potassium is included in the formula to counter excess sodium. With our current eating habits, it is very easy for the body to have sodium (salt) overload. The sodium to potassium imbalance is usually involved., if not directly responsible, for fluid retention (edema). Too much salt actually drives out potassium. Stress also drives potassium out which results in a concomitant rise of tissue sodium levels. This explains why edema can also be a result of stress. Restricted diets, prolonged diarrhea, kidney dysfunction, and diuretic drugs can all amplify a potassium deficiency. Additional potassium is need by anyone wishing to promote more efficient kidney function. The potassium in the formula is in the form of a phosphate salt. The phosphorus combats calcium deposits in the urinary tract.

Vitamin A is necessary to kidney health because of its positive effect on the epithelial tissue of the kidneys and the urinary tract. Epithelial tissue is the special skin that covers and protects the organs of the body both inside and out. Mucous membrane is one type of epithelial tissue. Vitamin A is the one substance which maintains the health of this tissue. Additionally, vitamin A offers protection against ura, the end product of protein synthesis, from entering the blood.

Raw Kidney tissue is very potent to enrich the nutrient environment of kidney and to enhance its function. In some cases, the use of raw glandular has shown remarkable results in adding overloaded or injured glands or causing organ systems to rally. When the whole gland/ or organ is use, as with the kidney tissue, small amounts of all the natural cell nutrients work together t o reinforce and stimulate the body's glandular and/or organ function.

This formula uses a number of herbals that are traditionally effective for kidney health and for natural diuretic use. These herbs are in extract form which renders them 4-6 times more powerful that the herb in its usual form. This particular combination of herbs was prepared to have a sparing effect on the body's potassium, and to support the work of potassium in the kidneys. Asparagus is not only a diuretic but contains a substance called asparagin which is valuable in breaking up oxalic acid crystals.

The buchu leaves alone can be helpful in ridding the body of toxins in the kidneys. While buchu leaves and corn silk are diuretics, plus corn silk is recommended too those of us who are susceptible to kidney problems. Couch grass and hydrangea are also diuretics; in this case, they work as tablet binders at the same time.

The alfalfa and barley in the cereal grasses and the whole sugar cane are an excellent sources of trace minerals, especially potassium, replacing those lost in the diuretic action.