Wastes occur as a result of normal bodily functions as well as from the air we breath, and from the foods we eat. Some wastes occur naturally and some are from pollution or artificial additives in foods. The body has pathways that help the body eliminate waste. These pathways are called emunctories. The emunctories are the kidney/bladder/urine, intestine/stool, uterus/menstruation, skin/perspiration, lung/breath, and liver. The kidneys are among the most important emunctories.
HOW THE KIDNEYS WORK
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs, about the size of a fist, that rest in middle of the back just below the ribcage. There is one on each side of the spine. Their job is to remove wastes and water from the blood in the form of urine. Kidneys keep the body chemically balanced but controlling the blood levels of important nutrients such as phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. Urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through tube-like channels called the ureters. It is estimated that the average person’s kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood a day resulting in approximately 2 quarts of waste and water a day.
Some people have one kidney and if it is healthy, they can lead a normal life. Some people are born with one kidney. Some choose to donate for transplant a kidney to those whose kidneys are damaged as a result of an injury or disease.
CAUSES OF KIDNEY DISEASE
Most diseases attack the part of the kidney that filters out wastes. Usually both kidneys are attacked at the same time. Three common causes of kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Chronic kidney disease is one of the risk factors for stroke or heart attack. People at risk for kidney disease are those with metabolic syndrome (a collection of symptoms including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar) or those with a family history of kidney disease.
Advanced kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. Kidneys are vital to the body function. When the kidneys stop working uremia results. The body fills with excess waste and water. The person feels fatigue, hands and feet swell. Advanced stages can cause seizures and lead to coma and death. Dialysis and receiving a kidney transplant are the only choices when kidney failure occurs.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND KIDNEY DISEASE
Normal blood pressure is 120/80, stated as “120 over 80.” The top number is the systolic pressure, the pressure when the heart is beating. The bottom number is the diastolic pressure, the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.
For most people high blood pressure is anything over 130/80 and can damage small vessels in the kidney that are used to filter out the wastes from the blood. Medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are used to treat high blood pressure and avoid or delay kidney disease.
DIABETES AND THE KIDNEYS
Diabetes Type II is a disease that interrupts the body’s process to breakdown glucose, a form of sugar. Glucose is one of the nutrients obtained from foods. If glucose is not broken down it stays in the blood and damage the filtering parts of the kidneys. This kind of damage is known as diabetic kidney disease. The same drugs that are used to reduce high blood pressure are also used to treat diabetic kidney disease.
LIFE STYLE CHANGES REDUCES THE RISKS OF KIDNEY DISEASE
Only a physician can diagnose and treat kidney disease. According to the National Kidney Foundation over 26,000,000 adults in the US have chronic kidney disease. What can a person do to avoid the risk of developing kidney disease? A person can take control of their health and help keep the kidneys healthy. Regular exercise appropriate for the person’s age and physical condition helps a person feel better, stronger, and provides more energy. Exercise improves the heart function, control blood pressure, control the glucose in the blood, and reduces the risks of diabetes. Improved diet can also reduce the risks of kidney disease. Low sodium, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine intake, reduced additives such as MSG, flavorings, preservatives, and colors helps reduce the amount of toxins the kidney has to handle. Smoking cessation also improves kidney health.
METABOLIC BALANCE AND KIDNEY DISEASE
Metabolic balance is a personalized food-only nutrition program that can help correct the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and help a person reduce their risk of kidney disease. A menu plan is developed based on the person’s own chemistry, health history and food preferences. In 12-weeks a trained coach guides people to the right food, the right portions, and the right timing. The results is improved weight, skin, sleep, balanced hormones, weight loss. People in the program experience more peace of mind and less anxiety.
According to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism in 2011, the program has been proven effective and for weight loss and improves quality of life including Diabetes Type II, hypertension and cholesterol disorders. Of the clients suffering from metabolic syndrome at the start of the program, after 1 year 76% no longer met the criteria for metabolic syndrome.
The program includes blood tests, personalized menu plan, 12 weeks of group classes, and 4 individual meetings. Contact Myra to learn more about what metabolic balance can do for you.
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SOURCES
Walrad, Caroline, PhD, CN,Detoxification and Homotoxicology
The Kidneys and How They Work, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Copyright © 2012 –, Myra Nissen.
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This article was brought to you by Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified Classical Homeopath. Myra teaches women how to recognize their body’s unique needs and cues and uses Homeopathy to help empower women to take control of their bodies, health and well-being. Find out more, she regularly publishes articles with home care tips for health and well-being in several venues. Visit her blog www.myranissen.com/blog.