Category Archives: Kidney Health

Green Magma, Kidney Health, Kidney Health Kit, OREA

10 Tips To Keep Your Kidneys In Top Shape

When it comes to the excretory system, many of us tend to think of constituent parts like the anus, the large intestine and the liver; all of them massively important in the processing and excretion of waste products from the food and fluids we consume. But too easy to forget, it seems, are the kidneys, the two small, fist-like organs that sit either side of the spine within the ribcage and, tasked with filtering the blood to remove waste from the body in the form of urine, are an undeniably essential part of the intestinal tract and the excretory process.

How could we overlook them? Sadly, too many of us arguably do, as we don’t concern ourselves with looking after them – and, thus, our health – as well as we might. Here then are 10 ways to put that right…

  1. Keep an eye on your blood pressure

What’s less known about high blood pressure, unlike with heart attacks or strokes, is that of all causes it’s actually the most common of kidney damage. If your blood pressure’s between 120/80 (the normal level) and 139/89 you should generally look to make both dietary and lifestyle changes, as it’s liable to be too high; however, there are factors to consider alongside this that a medical professional would doubtless discuss with you. High blood pressure’s most likely to damage the liver when it occurs in conjunction with high cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

  1. Keep your blood sugar levels under control

If you have difficulty controlling your blood sugar levels, it could be a sign you have or might develop diabetes – and diabetes can lead to kidney damage; as many as half of all diabetes sufferers experience damaged kidneys. If it’s detected early – and there’s a good chance it will be, as detection of diabetes itself is likely to result in all sorts of medical tests – kidney damage can certainly be reduced. Seeking the help of medical experts to properly manage your blood sugar levels, should you need to do so, is undoubtedly the best course of action; indeed, with diabetes it’s absolutely critical.

  1. Keep fit and stay and active

Generally speaking, human beings aren’t designed to lead sedentary lifestyles; therefore, at practically every stage of life it’s important for us to remain active via natural or recreational physical exercise. Just like with almost every aspect of the body, exercise benefits the kidneys as it’s excellent for reducing blood pressure and so diminishing the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

  1. Adopt a healthy diet

As noted already, diabetes and heart problems are among the many conditions associated with kidney damage and, potentially, CKD – and you can take a big, healthy step towards showing them the door by changing your dietary habits. That means reducing your salt intake, ditching the processed foods, sugar-rich snacks and junk food and opting for more balanced sensible offerings, such as organic, fresh fruits and vegetables. In particular, though, diet-wise, the following foods are all excellent kidney health tips:

aloe-gold-cherry-cranberry

  • Cherries – crammed full of nutrients, so incredibly healthy in any case (Vitamins B6, C and K, folate and magnesium), it’s the citrate they contain, in particular, that’s so beneficial for the kidneys, as this decreases uric acid levels in the bloodstream1, large levels of which can lead to gout, arthritis and the development of kidney stones2

concentrated-cranberry

  • Cranberries – often recommended to help fend off urinary tract infections (UTIs), consumption of pure cranberry juice, when diluted in water, appears to reduce the levels of oxalate and phosphate in urine, which also decreases the risk of forming kidney stones3
  • Java tea – actually the herb Orthosiphon stamineus, which has played a role in folk medicine for many centuries, not least to treat kidney disorders; which recent research confirms it’s effective at doing, as well as supporting the liver and overall gastrointestinal tract and helping to stabilise blood pressure and blood sugar and provide antioxidant protection4
  • Onions and garlic – specifically, it’s the antioxidant flavonoid named quercetin that’s so beneficial for the kidneys in these root vegetables, particularly for smokers5.
  1. Keep hydrated

It’s very well established, of course, that drinking lots of water is one of the healthiest things you can do; when it comes to the kidneys, it helps to ensure these organs can clear out sodium, urea and other toxins, which means less damage for the kidneys, a reduced risk of developing CKD and better health for the overall body.

It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that one shouldn’t seek to excessively take on fluids for this reason – perhaps around two litres daily is about right for what the kidneys and the wider body requires; that said, exactly how much a body needs depends on various factors, such as pre-existing health conditions, climate, exercise levels and gender-specific dynamics like pregnancy and breast-feeding.

  1. Cut down your alcohol intake

Everybody knows drinking excessively is bad for you; it puts particular stress on the liver, the organ charged with detoxification in the body. That said, owing to the high level of toxins drinking to excess can introduce to the gastrointestinal system, it can toxify much of the system, which can help cause blockages and ill-health throughout and, thus, has a knock-on effect on the kidneys. It can also slow the rate of blood to the kidneys.

  1. Stop smoking

Quite obviously, quitting the cigarettes, tobacco and nicotine would be a very good move for your all-round health, but especially for the kidneys it’s very important because, as with alcohol, smoking slows blood flow to these organs. It’s more than worth noting too that smoking increases the risk of developing kidney cancer by a whopping 50%.

  1. Be mindful with pharmaceutical drugs

You should be careful of taking certain over-the-counter or prescription medication regularly (such as the painkiller Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIs) because, unless consumed with restraint, they’re widely accepted as causing kidney damage. Taking such drugs in times of emergencies or infrequently probably won’t pose your kidneys a risk if yours are relatively healthy, but doing so often – due to chronic pain issues like arthritis – could indeed be bad news for your kidneys.

  1. Get checked out if you’re ‘high risk’

The term ‘high risk’ here isn’t intended to sound alarming, merely to suggest that should you have any pre-existing medical issues like diabetes, hypertension, obesity or you’re aware kidney disease runs in your family, then you should have your kidneys tested by medical professionals as you may fall into a ‘high risk’ category of potentially developing kidney-related conditions, such as CKD.

  1. Cleanse your kidneys

Finally, there are few things more helpful you can do for your kidneys than to give them a thorough and regular cleanse. Why? Because it aids them in their natural efforts of removing all the toxins and harmful micro-organisms that like to take root but don’t belong in them, ensuring these little organs function as effectively as possible. To that end, do check out the ‘Kidney Health’ section of The Finchley Clinic website, where you’ll find many naturally-derived products to aid your kidney-supporting efforts, including these kidney cleanse supplements:

kidney-cleanse

Kidney Health Kit – a full cleansing kit for the kidneys; it gives them a boost with Renaltrex and supports and drives toxin removal thanks to Oxy-Powder and Latero-Flora.

znatural-60ml

ORËÁ – a whole-body, natural toxin remover (thus ideal for organs, glands, cellular tissue and the blood); it’s great at eliminating environmental toxins, such as arsenic, biotoxins, lead, mercury and solvents.

green-magma

Green Magma (Barley Grass Powder) – a certified organic extract of young Green Barley juice that may well aid detoxification, improve digestion and increase energy.

 

References:

  1. Zhang Y., Neogi T., Chen C., Chaisson C., Hunter D. J. and Choi H. K. ‘Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks’. Arthritis Rheum. Dec 2012; 64 (12): 4004-11.
  2. Saito J., Matsuzawa Y., Ito H., Omura M., Ito Y., Yoshimura K., Yajima Y., Kino T. and Nishikawa T. ‘The alkalizer citrate reduces serum uric acid levels and improves renal function in hyperuricemic patients treated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol’. Endocr Res. 2010; 35 (4): 145-54.
  3. McHarg T., Rodgers A. and Charlton K. ‘Influence of cranberry juice on the urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate kidney stone formation’. BJU Int. Nov 2003; 92 (7): 765-8.
  4. Ameer O. Z., Salman I. M., Asmawi M. Z., Ibraheem Z. O. and Yam M. F. ‘Orthosiphon stamineus: traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology’. J Med Food. Aug 2012; 15 (8): 678-90.
  5. Wilson R. T., Wang J., Chinchilli V., Richie J. P., Virtamo J., Moore L.E. and Albanes D. ‘Fish, vitamin D, and flavonoids in relation to renal cell cancer among smokers’. Am J Epidemiol. Sep 2009; 170 (6): 717-29.
Kidney Health, Liposomal Vitamin C, True Food Vitamin C, Vitamin C, Vitamins & Minerals

The orange Juice Nutrient: How to Avoid and Beat Vitamin C Deficiency

Forever associated with orange juice, Vitamin C is perhaps the most easily recalled of all the family of vitamins whose consumption is crucial for our bodies to function exactly as they should. For, should you peel back the surface and break up the segments – yes, as would with an orange – of what Vitamin C does for us, you quickly find it’s impossible not to come to the conclusion it’s essential for healthy human life.

A natural antioxidant that also goes by the scientific name L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C can actually be found in many fruit and vegetables, certainly not just oranges1. Among all the great things it does inside out bodies, it helps ensure growth and development take place as they should, especially as it aids in the repairing of damaged internal tissue2, 3 and, in helping produce the protein collagen, it plays a pivotal role in keeping the skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and blood vessels in good health4.

Continue reading The orange Juice Nutrient: How to Avoid and Beat Vitamin C Deficiency →

Kidney cleanse, Kidney Health

Keep your kidneys cleansed: how to look after these crucial organs

Many of us know what the different organs in the abdominal region of the body do. The stomach holds food; the intestines see food progress as it’s processed; the liver critically helps remove toxins and the pancreas produces crucial enzymes and hormones like insulin. Fine; but what do the kidneys do? And, to that end then, why’s it so important we look after them? Our kidneys are those two bean-shaped organs that sit either side of the spine against the back muscles of the upper abdominal cavity – and they do a number of very important things. In removing waste from the blood, they help balance the body’s fluids (via regulating sodium, water and acidity/ alkalinity balance) and create urine – in other words, waste water to be let out of the body1. Moreover, in carrying out their wider functions, the kidneys are also responsible for the regulation of the hormones and enzymes that manage blood pressure.

Unhealthy kidneys mean an unhealthy you

Taking into account the above then, you certainly don’t need to be a genius to realise that maintaining good kidney health is pretty darn important to ensure your body runs as effectively as possible – and you yourself remain fit and healthy. But just in case you’re not convinced, here are some of the things that, should your kidneys get into trouble, will ensure you get into trouble too:

  • Kidney stones – the obvious one; a far from unusual urinary tract disorder that at least one in 10 people in the US alone suffer from2
  • Kidney disease – can be caused by both high blood pressure and diabetes; more US citizens die from it than from prostate and breast cancer combined2
  • Body water imbalance – a symptom of toxic kidneys, it appears to contribute to the likes of stress, paranoia, muscle shakes and even panics attacks. 

Cleansing means healthy kidneys

So how can you keep your kidneys – and, in turn, of course – yourself as healthy as possible? Well, helping your kidneys to cleanse themselves of all the toxins and harmful micro-organisms that might find their way into them is your best course of action. Through cleansing you can ensure, among many other things, they purify your blood effectively – some estimates say up to 60 times a day. But don’t worry; it doesn’t require anything painful or drastic – in fact, the best way to do a cleanse is to focus primarily on diet, consuming the right foods and drink and eschewing non-kidney-friendly ones. First off, staying hydrated is hugely important, as so often when it comes to keeping healthy. That means drinking plenty of pure, filtered water each day2. On top of this, you should look to eat:

  • Leafy, raw vegetables2, while organic fresh fruit rich in low-sugars is also recommended like apples and grapes (the latter comprise antioxidants to support detoxification and are well known for helping to flush out the ‘system’)
  • Nuts and seeds, cinnamon, olive oil and berries2 – especially cranberries as they contain quinine, which becomes hippuric acid in the body and aids removal of urea and uric acid from the kidneys
  • And be sure to get some exercise outdoors and take in the fresh air2

You should avoid:

  • Consuming too much alcohol and caffeine (or better, cut them out entirely) and try to quit smoking2
  • Eating a lot of rhubarb and chocolate – like it or not, they can may help your calcium oxalate levels to rise, supporting kidney stone formation.2 

Supplements for cleansing

In some cases, you may find it difficult to alter your diet exactly as you’d like to include the aforementioned kidney-cleansing foods. Help is at hand, though, via natural supplementation that supports and thoroughly promotes the process. For example, the following kidney supplements can be bought through us at The Finchley Clinic, along with many more:

Green Magma

 

Green Magma (Barley Grass Powder) – great for cleansing the kidneys, detoxifying the body and maintaining its acid/ alkaline balance, this product constitutes a genuine ‘green food’ (it’s grown in the fertile soil of Japan)

ORËA

 

 

ORËA (formerly ZNatural) – taken daily, it can successfully detoxify and cleanse the body, permeating the kidneys and other organs, blood, glands and cellular tissue and supporting the body’s own natural immune defence and disease resistance systems

Dandelion Formula

 

Dandelion Formula – helps the kidneys to stimulate urine production and, containing as it does the likes of turmeric and ginger, it may also help healthy liver function; alternatively you may opt for High Strength Ginger, which in addition to aiding the kidneys may also relieve indigestion, gas pains, diarrhoea and stomach cramping.

References:

1. Healthline Medical Team. ‘Body Maps – Kidneys’. Healthline.com. http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/kidney. Last reviewed: 12 Dec 2014.

2. Global Healing Center. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/renaltrex-kidney-cleanse.html#4.

Detoxification, Immune health, Immune products, Kidney Health, Saponin supplements, Vitamins & Minerals

Don’t Get In A Lather – Turn To Super Saponins

We are – all of us, surely – aware of the wonderful benefit of soap. It plays a pivotal role in keeping our bodies clean. But few of us are aware that some of the chief ingredients in soap are of huge benefit to our bodies when consumed – namely, helping maintain our cholesterol levels, aiding immunity and supporting the gastrointestinal system1.

These ingredients are the plant-based chemicals known as saponins. As they generate a lather when put together with water2, saponins have proved crucial in ensuring saponaria (or soapwort) – one of the many flora they occur in – has been used as a traditional soap for many centuries2. Specifically, when mixed with water, saponins – thanks to their very individual chemical structure – create a foam as well as fatty oils, in the manner of a detergent.

Health benefits

Indeed, it’s this foam-inducing, very individual chemical structure that enables saponins to provide a number of significant health benefits:

  • Cholesterol – when its levels aren’t too high, cholesterol actually plays an important role in ensuring digestion takes place because, in the digestive tract, it’s responsible for fat-soluble molecules mixing together or, in other words, it binds with bile acids, causing the latter’s excretion from the body so they’re not absorbed back into the bloodstream; research conducted on rats suggests a specific type of high cholesterol-packed saponin extract may work to decrease ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol levels, but not beneficial ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol levels3
  • Immunity – in order to fight off the harmful effects of parasites, plants readily call on their saponins and humans can do so too; a study suggests they can be effective at combating candida4, while a specific type of saponin is a good antimicrobial for the mouth5
  • Kidneys – research evidence points to saponins sourced from Terminalia arjuna (an arjun tree) providing therapeutic effects for urinary stone issues6, thus aiding good kidney health
  • Liver – it’s believed by experts that saponins also support Kupffer cells in the liver, thus helping to encourage successful detoxification
  • Blood sugar and bone density – animal studies indicate saponins aid balanced blood sugar levels and contribute to normal bone density7, 8
  • Depression – a number of preclinical reports suggest that saponins may positively contribute to treating depression9.

Saponin sources

Although saponins seem to be rarely talked about, they can be derived from more than a hundred different plants and foods, for instance:

  • Foods – beans, chickpeas, peanuts, quinoa, soy and tomatoes, among many others
  • Herbs – bupleurum root, collinsonia, ginseng, jiaogulan, osha and Tribulus terrestris.

Saponins (extracted from quillaja and yucca) are even used in fizzy drinks like root beer to ensure they have a foamy head.

Supplements

In addition to the above food and drink-based sources, you might consider any of the following saponin supplements – all available from The Finchley Clinic. Not only do they contain the chemicals, they’re also packed full of many more essential nutrients:

cumanda

Cumanda (1 floz/ 30 ml) – typically used for candida management and microbial defence, cumanda bark may support the immune system; contains anthocyanins, cyanogenic glucosides, heterosides, saponins and tannins.

suma-120-vegicaps

Suma (Brazilian Ginseng) (120 and 60 vegicaps) – features 19 amino acids, cobalt, germanium (an antioxidant), iron, magnesium, saponins, silica, zinc and the Vitamins A, B-1, B-2, E and K.

yerba-mate-90-vegicaps

Yerba Mate (90 vegicaps, 100g powder and 40 and 90 teabags) – derived from the yerba mate tree in South America, this product contains magnesium, Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, 15 amino acids, antioxidants (polyphenols), plant sterols and saponins.

 

References

  1. Shi J., Arunasalam K., Yeung D., Kakuda Y., Mittal G. and Jiang Y. ‘Saponins from edible legumes: chemistry, processing, and health benefits’. J Med Food. 2004 Spring; 7(1): 67-78.
  2. Cornell University. Department of Animal Science – Plants Poisonous to Livestock.Updated 09/10/2015 14:58:48.
  3. Malinow M. R., McLaughlin P., Papworth L., Stafford C., Kohler G. O., Livingston A. L. and Cheeke P. R. ‘Effect of alfalfa saponins on intestinal cholesterol absorption in rats’. Am J Clin Nutr. 1977 Dec; 30(12): 2061-7.
  4. Coleman J. J., Okoli I., Tegos G. P., Holson E. B., Wagner F. F., Hamblin M. R. and Mylonakis E. ‘Characterization of Plant-Derived Saponin Natural Products against Candida albicans’. ACS Chem. Biol., 2010, 5 (3), pp 321–332. doi: 10.1021/cb900243b.
  5. Jyothi K. S. M. and Seshagiri M. ‘In-Vitro Activity of Saponins of Bauhinia Purpurea, Madhuca Longifolia, Celastrus Paniculatus and Semecarpus Anacardium on Selected Oral Pathogens’. J Dent (Tehran). 2012 Autumn; 9(4): 216–223.
  6. Chaudhary A., Singla S. K. and Tandon C. ‘In vitro Evaluation of Terminalia arjuna on Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Oxalate Crystallization’. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010 May-Jun; 72(3): 340–345.
  7. Ojewole J. A. and Adewole S. O. ‘Hypoglycaemic effect of mollic acid glucoside, a 1alpha-hydroxycycloartenoid saponin extractive from Combretum molle R. Br. ex G. Don (Combretaceae) leaf, in rodents’. J Nat Med. 2009 Apr; 63(2): 117-23. doi: 10.1007/s11418-008-0298-0. Epub 2008 Dec 3.
  8. Abbas G., Rauf K. and Mahmood W. ‘Saponins: the phytochemical with an emerging potential for curing clinical depression’. Nat Prod Res. 2015; 29(4): 302-7. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2014.942661. Epub 2014 Jul 30.
  9. Meliani N., El Amine Dib M., Allali H. and Tabti B. ‘Hypoglycaemic effect of Berberis vulgaris L. in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats’. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2011 Dec; 1(6): 468–471.