The kidneys are vital organs, which participate in the proper functioning of the body. Present in the urinary tract, they filter the blood and eliminate body waste through urine.
Several factors can disrupt kidney functions or even make them sick. That is why here I am going to give ways on how to rejuvenate your kidneys. See these below…
Contents
Why It Is Important To Rejuvenate Kidney?
The kidneys are key organs in the human urinary system. They are responsible for the excretion of waste substances through the urine and have other very important functions, including regulating the balance of the body’s internal environment.
They are located in the back of the abdomen on either side of the spine. Each kidney is 12 cm long and 6 cm wide.
The kidneys are one of the main organs of the human urinary system, which also consists of two ureters, the urethra, and the bladder. The main task of the kidneys is not only to produce urine but also to regulate chemical homeostasis.
Thus, the kidneys ensure the removal of metabolic residues from the body, regulate water-salt metabolism and blood pressure levels, maintain acid-base balance, and perform intrasecretory functions.
Kidney health is a fundamental condition for the full functioning of the body. Various diseases and pathological disorders in the work of the organ can undermine it.
Kidney diseases, as a rule, are caused by inflammatory processes of an infectious and non-infectious nature, circulatory and metabolic disorders, as well as toxic can lead to kidney damage. Separately, tumor diseases of the kidneys are noted.
The kidneys are organs of vital importance, as they are responsible for preventing diseases and maintaining the proper functioning of the body. One of its most important functions is the elimination of waste and toxins contained in the blood. This means that they are “the filters” of the organism.
Kidneys As A Body Filter
The kidneys are one of the most important organs in the human body. They are located in the back of the abdomen on either side of the spine. In shape, they resemble a bean grain, the size is a fist. The basic unit of the kidney is the nephrons.
There are about a million of them in each kidney. It is thanks to them that the kidneys perform their most important role for the body – they filter out harmful substances from the blood and at the same time retain valuable ones for the body.
The Kidneys Are The Regulator Of The Body
In addition to the filtering effect, the kidneys act as a regulator responsible for maintaining a constant environment within the body, the so-called homeostasis.
It is thanks to them that the organs can work in constant, optimal conditions, which is a necessary condition for maintaining health and life.
Regulate hormonal and electrolyte balance (take care of the correct amount of sodium and potassium) and control the level of water in the body. Remove excess water from the blood into the urine. When fluid levels in the body drop, such as due to vomiting or diarrhea, they reduce the excretion of water in the urine.
The kidneys also play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and, through the production of active vitamin D3, influence the metabolism of calcium phosphate and therefore the health of the bones.
They produce erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, whose task is to transport oxygen to individual tissues and organs of the body.
Ways To Rejuvenate Your Kidneys
There are several levels of kidney failure severity. Chronic renal dysfunction cannot be cured but can be slowed down.
In order not to aggravate it and avoid complications, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle by stopping smoking, for example among smokers, and by practicing daily physical activity.
Diet also has a real impact on kidney disease. You should favor a balanced diet with some restrictions if you have kidney failure. Here are 5 tips to follow to preserve your kidneys.
Choose Foods Low In Salt
Salt is comprised of sodium chloride. The abundance of sodium is adverse to kidney capability. It diminishes the filtration productivity of the kidneys.
It is smarter to eat new as opposed to ready or pre-bundled items with added sodium and to find salt substitutes like spices and flavors.
Limit Animal Protein Intake and Favor Vegetable Proteins
It is recommended to consume about 50 g of protein for women and 60 g for men, per day.
Legumes such as soy-containing vegetable proteins are to be favored as well as cereals and pasta. Protein turns into urea which can build up in the blood if the kidneys have trouble eliminating it.
Adopt an Alkalizing Diet
The kidneys contribute to the acid-base balance of the body. Acids from food can be eliminated less well if kidney function is degraded and the body is at risk of suffering from chronic acidosis.
We need more alkaline fruits and vegetables diet on the plate – since they are alkalizing, unlike meat, cheese, eggs, and cereals.
Avoid Excess Phosphorus
In kidney failure, the excess phosphorus is not properly eliminated and remains in the blood, which can lead to the weakening of the bones and a loss of calcium.
Too high blood levels of phosphorus and calcium can lead to deposits in the organs (lungs, heart, eyes). Meat and dairy products should be consumed in moderation.
Avoid Excess Potassium
Like phosphorus, potassium levels in the blood can rise in the event of kidney failure, which is dangerous for the heart.
It is therefore recommended to limit the consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in potassium such as bananas, oranges, prunes, potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, etc.
When the kidneys no longer fully perform their functions, your health and well-being depend on a suitable diet to compensate for the changes in the body. Below is an overview of a healthy lifestyle for kidney patients.
However, the right diet for you depends on several factors such as your tastes, the stage of your kidney disease, the treatment you receive, and other diseases you may have, such as diabetes.
Control Your Potassium Levels
If the kidneys no longer excrete enough potassium, potassium levels in the blood rise (hyperkalemia), especially after eating potassium-rich foods. Hyperkalemia is very dangerous and can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Often this happens without any symptoms, which makes it even more threatening. Even patients who have never had hyperkalemia can be confronted with an episode of this disorder. Your doctor will help you control your potassium levels.
Avoid Processed Foods
Avoid processed and prepared foods as much as possible as salt is often added for taste. When eating processed foods, check the ingredient label for salt or sodium levels. The lower the salt or sodium level, the better.
And don’t forget to count the amount of salt you have already ingested since your last dialysis session. When you go to a restaurant, you can ask for salt, phosphate, and potassium levels. Usually, however, it is best to check the contents for yourself using food lists.
Foods To Include To Rejuvenate Your Kidneys
Many factors can cause kidney disease. In addition to self-medication and excessive consumption of alcohol and other drugs, one of the factors that most influences kidney health is diet.
When it is not healthy and is rather rich in industrial foods, ultra-processed foods, fried foods, sugars, and others, the entire kidney system can be seriously compromised.
Now, although there are foods that can affect the health of the kidneys, there are also foods that strengthen your kidneys. Do you want to know what they are? So, see below foods that rejuvenate kidneys…
Water
To preserve your kidneys, you must above all drinking water. If your water intake is insufficient, this can promote the appearance of kidney stones, the occurrence of urinary tract infections, or even kidney failure.
The ideal is to drink an average of 1.5 L of water per day, or eight glasses of water. It, therefore, helps to stay hydrated, dilute urine and rid the body of toxins. Water is therefore essential to take care of your kidneys and maintain the proper functioning of the urinary system.
Before consuming these foods, it is important to speak with a doctor, especially for pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with pre-existing health conditions, or taking medication.
Cherries
This delicious red fruit is an invaluable source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, vitamin B6, magnesium, and potassium salts.
These boost the functioning of the kidneys by facilitating and improving the elimination of waste and water.
Cherries act as a purifier. Research has also shown that consuming cherries over a 2-day period has been associated with a lower risk of a gout attack in people suffering from this disease.
Cranberries
Cranberries contain compounds that can prevent bacteria from “sticking” to the walls of the urinary tract, and studies in young women with frequent UTIs show that drinking a glass of cranberry juice daily can help reduce infections. recurrent or repeated urinary tract.
Cinnamon
According to scientific research, cinnamon can act on certain risk factors for kidney disease, including diabetes.
Healthy management of blood sugar and blood pressure is imperative to preventing kidney disease. Indeed, cinnamon may have health benefits for managing your blood sugar.
Kidney Beans
Cooked red bean broth has long been used to improve overall kidney health due to its rich magnesium content. Kidney beans also help dissolve and flush out kidney stones.
Olive Oil
A new study shows that sticking to a diet high in fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes and heart-healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil can significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
Garlic
Garlic cloves have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects. They strengthen the body, eliminating the prerequisites for the development of colds.
Garlic helps increase the natural production of glutathione, an antioxidant essential for normal liver function, thus providing the perfect environment for natural detoxification in your body.
Apple
Apples are rich in soluble fiber which helps eliminate toxins and waste from the body while speeding up and stimulating the kidney process. It is therefore good food that helps on cleansing your body. In addition, it helps lower cholesterol, a risk factor for kidney problems.
To maintain good kidney health, it is advisable to eat one a day. It is best to eat it raw with the skin on. You can also find our article on the benefits of the apple.
Fatty Fish
Regular consumption of fatty fish rich in omega-3 would reduce, among other things, the risk of kidney cancer. Cooking oily fish is a way to consume good quality protein.
To take advantage of its virtues, try to eat it once or twice a week. Opt for sea bass known to contain less phosphorus, a mineral toxic to the kidneys of people with kidney failure.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contain citric acid that purifies the kidneys thanks to its acidity level. It is also known to reduce the formation of kidney stones if taken in the right amount and in the right way.
The ideal would be to dilute six centiliters of lemon juice in two liters of water and consume this drink every day.
The effect of lemon juice on the kidneys is explained by the fact that it increases the level of citrate in the urine. Citrate has the ability to prevent, at least partially, the formation of kidney stones.
Beet
According to the Integrative Oncology Association, beets are a “great source of fiber and vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6.” For this reason, it is considered to have purifying and detoxifying properties and is recommended to strengthen and cleanse the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder.
To take advantage of its benefits, it is recommended to prepare beet juice with carrot regularly as part of a balanced diet.
Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the most consumed fruits for their antioxidant content. However, we must not forget that they are also a source of fiber and various nutrients, such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B, among others.
Its properties are considered to strengthen the functioning of the kidneys and prevent infections while strengthening the cells of the entire renal system.
For this reason, it is recommended to consume them naturally on a regular basis as well as to drink cranberry juice -natural, without sugar- on an empty stomach.
Watermelon
Watermelon is one of the best foods to strengthen the kidneys and fight urinary tract diseases. This is because it is composed of -approximately- 93% water. It provides only 20 calories per 100 grams and is a source of lycopene, just like tomatoes.
This great ally for the kidney is recommended to treat and prevent discomforts such as cystitis, kidney stones, urethritis, and fluid retention. But always within the framework of a healthy diet.
Pineapple
Pineapple is a source of water, fiber, and bromelain. That is why it is part of the list of foods that strengthen the kidneys.
It is also a source of vitamin C and potassium, which are nutrients that help fight infections, stimulate digestion, reduce the risk of kidney stones and reduce inflammation.
To take advantage of it, you can choose to have a bowl of fresh natural pineapple or prepare a natural juice with a touch of mint.
Celery
Celery is a source of water and fiber, therefore, it has purifying and diuretic properties. For this reason, it is not surprising that it is part of the list of foods that strengthen the kidneys naturally.
Its periodic consumption is recommended to cleanse the kidneys and promote the elimination of waste in case of constipation. For this, it can be prepared in juice or infusion or even included in salads.
Onion
Onion is a widely consumed food in the daily diet, regardless of the time of year. It stands out for its fiber content, but also for its flavonoid content, especially quercetin, which is an antioxidant that favors the functioning of organs such as the kidneys and the heart.
Strawberries
Strawberries are fruits rich in fiber and antioxidants, which help protect the structures of the cellular body and prevent the premature impact of oxidative stress.
According to popular wisdom, its ingestion favors the health of the kidneys, prevents inflammation, and helps cleanse them. To make the most of them, the idea is to take them naturally, about 3-4 times a week.
Potatoes
Potatoes are another of the foods that strengthen the kidneys. Known for being a source of starch, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, vitamins B, and vitamin C.
They provide calories, yes, but also some important vitamins and minerals that contribute to kidney health and the prevention and treatment of kidney stones.
It is recommended to consume them cooked with everything and their skin, without salt, to purify the kidneys naturally. A drink can also be made from just its skin.
Watercress
Lettuce and watercress are foods that help strengthen the kidneys and help prevent kidney disease. Mainly because they are a source of fiber and water, and therefore have purifying and diuretic properties.
For its consumption, all you have to do is prepare a salad, or extract the juice and consume it without sweeteners.
Do not forget to include these foods in various ways in your diet to strengthen your kidneys naturally. Remember: prevention is better than cure and a good diet goes a long way.
Whole Grains
Entire grains are strongly prescribed food varieties to supplement a solid eating regimen. Primarily in light of the fact that they are an extraordinary wellspring of fiber, yet additionally on the grounds that they are plentiful in different nutrients and minerals.
Its standard utilization helps battle stoppage and the end of poisons and waste, which is the reason part of the rundown of food varieties reinforces the kidneys.
Foods To Avoid To Rejuvenate Your Kidneys
We all know the importance of a good diet and, in general, we understand that it helps us to keep your kidneys healthy.
Therefore, we must avoid excessive consumption of junk, ultra-processed foods, and alcohol.
Now, that you know what foods strengthen the kidneys and take care of kidney health see the foods you should avoid. These are…
Dairy Products
Excessive consumption of dairy products can eventually become dangerous for the kidneys because it promotes the formation of kidney stones.
Processed Meats
Sausages, bacon, pepperoni, and all processed meats are bad for the kidneys because they contain a very high dose of salt.
Red Meat
Because they are very concentrated in proteins, red meats can be harmful to the kidneys if they are consumed in too large quantities.
Raisins
When dried, the dose of potassium is even more concentrated for fruits such as grapes.
Carbonated Drinks
Sodas are very sweet and also contain a lot of unnatural phosphorus, which creates waste in the body.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are very harmful to the kidneys because they affect their proper functioning, so you need to withdraw and detox from alcohol.
Whole Bread
Usually recommended for a balanced diet, whole bread is not recommended for people with kidney problems, because it is richer in phosphorus and potassium than white bread.
Canned Foods
Canned foods contain a lot of salt because it allows for optimal preservation. But this high salt content promotes the creation of kidney stones.
Meal Plan To Rejuvenate Your Kidneys
Food has a big impact on kidney function. Be sure to limit salty foods and abandon the protein diet.
The menu should include vegetables and fruits that stimulate kidney function and have diuretic properties: celery, dill, parsley, eggplant, tomatoes, strawberries, strawberries, pears, cranberries, and watermelon.
Some herbs also have a diuretic effect: birch leaf, parsley root, and horsetail grass.
Herbal decoctions are especially recommended for people suffering from kidney stones. They help relieve the painful symptoms of chronic kidney disease in the form of colic.
Adequate hydration of the body is also very important for kidney stone prevention and kidney care.
It is recommended that the fluid intake be about 500 ml more than the amount of urine per day, which on average means the consumption of about 2 liters of fluid per day.
In preventing chronic kidney disease, it is also important to avoid the use of nephrotoxic substances that damage the kidneys, such as painkillers, and to ensure proper metabolic control of diabetes and high blood pressure.
Day 1
Breakfast
-
Ripe baked apples with cinnamon + honey, tea with lemon.
Mid Morning Snack
-
Dried apricots + Cottage cheese.
Lunch
-
Cabbage soup without meat + Sour cream, Pilaf + Boiled meat.
Evening Snack
-
Fresh vegetable salad
Dinner
-
Browned zucchini with carrots + Boiled rice + Fruit compote.
Bed Time Snack
-
A cup of cherries
Day 2
Breakfast
-
Potato pancakes with sour cream + Green tea.
Mid Morning Snack
-
Ripe apricots
Lunch
-
Soup with noodles and vegetables + Buckwheat porridge
Evening Snack
-
Fresh apples and pears
Dinner
-
Stewed cabbage + Baked chicken.
Bed Time Snack
-
A cup of mixed berries
Day 3
Breakfast
-
Oatmeal with milk and honey + Tea.
Mid Morning Snack
-
Salad cucumbers and carrots
Lunch
-
Barley porridge with butter.
Evening Snack
-
Fruit salad with yogurt
Dinner
-
Cabbage rolls + Sour cream + Salt-free bread.
Bed Time Snack
- A cup of mixed cherries
Day 4
Breakfast
-
Protein omelet + Salad of grated carrots and dried apricots + sour cream + chicory coffee
Mid Morning Snack
-
Grapefruit + Unsweetened yogurt.
Lunch
-
Milk soup with buckwheat + Meat cutlet with cauliflower puree.
Evening Snack
Baked apple + Compote
Dinner
Roasted chicken breast+ Freshly squeezed juice from carrots + Apples.
Bed Time Snack
-
One banana
Day 5
Breakfast:
-
Pancakes (without salt), jam, + Chicory with milk.
Mid Morning Snack
-
Fruit salad.
Lunch
-
Beetroot soup + Mashed Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Carrots.
Evening Snack
-
Green smoothie
Dinner
-
Carp baked in the oven with vegetables (boil the fish a little beforehand).
Bed Time Snack
-
A cup of boiled kidney beans
Day 6
Breakfast
-
Porridge with milk and semolina + Tea.
Mid Morning Snack
-
Cottage cheese with dried apricots.
Lunch
-
Tomato puree soup + Meat patty.
Evening Snack
-
Fruit Smoothie
Dinner
-
Chicken stew with potatoes.
Bed Time Snack
-
A cup of berries
Day 7
Breakfast
-
Soft-boiled eggs + Cucumber and tomato salad + Tea with milk.
Mid Morning Snack
-
Freshly squeezed juice from vegetables or berries, raisins.
Lunch
-
Scrambled eggs + Buckwheat in milk + Rosehip infusion.
Evening Snack
-
Stuffed peppers
Dinner
-
Millet casserole, fried vegetable cutlets, stewed dried fruits with sugar.
Bed Time Snack
-
Sour cream + Salt-free bread.
Conclusion
A correct diet is key to its functioning and taking care of these organs. Diet is a guarantee of health for the kidneys, and this is a shield to protect them.
There are many recommendations, such as not abusing protein, reducing your salt intake and sodium in dishes, avoiding precooked dishes and saturated fats, opting for whole-grain carbohydrates, and mainly controlling cholesterol, which could be lowered with these recommendations.
In summary, it is advisable to eat a healthy, varied, and balanced diet within the framework of the Mediterranean diet in which all food groups are present.
