Understanding Kidney Disease
The kidneys are vital organs that perform essential functions in the body. They filter out by-products of protein breakdown, such as ammonia, urea, and ketones. Additionally, they remove toxins from the blood, maintain electrolyte and fluid balance, regulate blood pH, and control the volume of water during filtration and elimination. Essentially, the kidneys act as our biological filters. For those with kidney issues, herbs like milk thistle can support liver and kidney health by stimulating new cell growth and boosting glutathione levels, enhancing the body’s defenses against toxins.
Types of Kidney Disease
Kidney function is crucial for maintaining blood pressure. Sometimes, hypertension results from improper kidney function. Kidney disease can refer to various conditions, but it primarily means renal failure. This occurs when the kidneys cannot effectively clean normal biological chemicals from the bloodstream. Renal failure can be either acute or chronic.
Acute Renal Failure
Acute renal failure refers to the sudden onset of kidney malfunction, which can lead to the buildup of nitrogenous wastes in the blood. Mild attacks of acute renal failure are not uncommon.
Chronic Renal Failure
Chronic renal failure involves a slow decline in kidney function. This progressive condition can lead to end-stage renal failure, a life-threatening disorder that may require treatments like kidney transplants or hemodialysis. Patients on hemodialysis often face deficiencies, such as low levels of L-carnitine, leading to muscle weakness. Supplementing with L-carnitine can help address muscle weakness and other dialysis-related issues.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones, or nephrolithiasis, are solid formations made of minerals in the urine. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball and are a common urinary tract disorder affecting about 10% of the U.S. population. These stones usually form due to poor diet choices and lifestyle factors.
Causes and Symptoms
Kidney stones often form due to the buildup of substances like calcium oxalate, uric acid, cholesterol, and magnesium ammonium phosphate. They can cause sudden, severe pain in the back, side, or groin, along with symptoms like blood in the urine, fever, chills, and vomiting. The stones are not due to excessive calcium intake but rather a lack of calcium absorption. Therefore, it’s important to take calcium citrate and magnesium citrate supplements to prevent stone formation. These supplements work by increasing urinary pH, inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Recommended doses are 500 mg of calcium citrate with each meal and 300-600 mg of magnesium daily.
Diet and Kidney Health
A low-to-moderate protein diet is crucial for treating kidney disease, especially for those with chronic renal failure. Increasing dietary fiber is also essential, as it reduces the formation of kidney and gallstones. Western diets, high in fat, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, coffee, and animal protein, can lead to a higher risk of kidney stones.
Foods to Avoid
To maintain kidney health and prevent stone formation, avoid or limit:
- Black tea (contains tannic acid, which can lead to stone formation)
- Iron supplements (excessive iron can increase stone risk)
- “White” foods like sugar, dairy, and refined carbohydrates
- Foods high in oxalic acid (for those prone to calcium-oxalate stones)
Recommended Foods
In contrast, a diet rich in beans, seafood, and organ meats serves as a good protein source. It’s also beneficial to maintain a diet that is more alkaline and less acidic. Additionally, consuming cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections and flush out stones. Natural, unsweetened cranberry juice is effective in dissolving calcium deposits in the kidneys.
Diagnosing Kidney Disease
Lab Tests
Creatinine testing remains a simple yet effective method for measuring nephron function. Serum creatinine levels vary inversely with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Factors that can affect creatinine levels include:
- High dietary protein intake
- Medications like cimetidine (Tagamet) and steroids
- Decreased muscle mass in chronic illness
Risks Associated with Kidney Disease
Contrary to some medical advice, avoiding calcium supplements can be unwise. Calcium restriction can enhance oxalate absorption, increasing the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation. High intake of calcium, potassium, and fluids has been shown to lower the risk of kidney stones.
Other Risk Factors
Patients on hemodialysis risk losing essential minerals like selenium. Supplementing with selenium can help mitigate this risk. A deficiency of selenium may increase the risk of kidney disease and cancer. The recommended dosage is 100-200 mcg daily. High-protein diets can lead to kidney stone formation and negatively affect kidney-function markers. They increase the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, creating an acidic environment that promotes calcium excretion and stone formation. Those with underlying disorders like gout, high blood pressure, urinary tract infections, and certain cancers are at higher risk for developing kidney stones.
Medical Treatment for Kidney Stones
Physicians often manage kidney stones by medicating the pain until the stones pass naturally. If stones do not pass within a certain period, a non-invasive procedure called lithotripsy may be used. This procedure uses shock waves to break up stones so they can be excreted through urine. In addition to medical treatments, maintaining adequate levels of vitamin B6 can decrease oxalate production, reducing the risk of calcium oxalate stones. Dosage ranges from 50-200 mg daily.
Conclusion
Kidney disease encompasses a range of conditions, including acute and chronic renal failure, as well as kidney stones. Proper dietary choices, lifestyle changes, and the right supplements, such as calcium citrate, magnesium citrate, and L-carnitine, can play a significant role in supporting kidney health. However, managing kidney disease requires a comprehensive approach, often involving medical treatment and regular monitoring by healthcare professionals.
