Healthy Kidneys
Have you sometimes felt an aching in your back just above the hips (left/right side)? It feels a little tender and you are wondering whether there is something not quite right with your kidney (rather than due to problems in the spinal bones/tissue).
Theresa
February 15, 2009
One of my yoga students asked me about what she might be able to do with regards to her concern about the health of her kidneys. I did some research via the net and found the following information (please refer to the relevant sites for detailed information):
a) Function
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidney_(Zang)
The Kidney generates and stores qi, helps the hair to glow healthily, produces bones and brain matter, makes the ears work properly, manages the opening and closing of the bladder/anus, and contributes to good memory and determination/will power.
b) Symptoms
http://www.tcmbasics.com/syndromes_zf_kidney.htm
http://www.ourorient.com/articles/medicine/kidneys.htm
Instead of unduly worrying, best is to consult a physician. However, you may wish to have a look at what are some of the possible symptoms eg sexual/fertility problems, feel chilly, weak knees.
c) Recipes for kidney deficiencies
http://www.maryzhang.com/recipes/kidney.htm
If you are concerned about what food to eat to revitalize your kidneys, here’s an interesting website with yummy recipes. Mary Zhang is a licensed acupuncturist with a medical degree from the Chinese Medicine University of Liaoning, China, and has worked in Chinese, German and U.S hospitals and clinics
d) Chinese drug
http://www.silkroadcn.com/chinese-herbs-for-kidney-yin.htm
Deficiencies or dysfunction of the kidney, liver, spleen...Return to harmony and health.
e) Drink water to combat stress (stress hurts the body)
http://www.thechinesedoctor.com/anti-stress/the-daily-basics-in-combating-modern-day-stress-ii
Minimum daily intake: 2.5 litres of water. Coffee or tea or fizzy drinks are NOT counted towards that. Drink water: room temperature, or preferably warm to facilitate absorption and reduce burden on the body (Drinking cold or icy water is actually quite harmful)
f) Sleep by 11pm
http://www.thechinesedoctor.com/sleep/sleep-your-way-to-health-and-longevity-part-2
Hours of 11pm to 1am is the time of Gallbladder, and 1am to 3am the time of Liver. Both belong to the Liver system: vital for cleansing our body and for proper digestion, from a western medical sense. From a Chinese medical sense, the liver system is vital for energy flow around our body to keep the body working properly and healthy. Go to sleep the latest by 11pm!
g) Mild acidosis can result in bone spurs and kidney problems
http://www.thechinesedoctor.com/anti-stress/the-daily-basics-in-combating-modern-day-stress-iii
Drink more water and eat balanced food (alkaline-acid)
h) If we are like old tikus, we gota exercise! So attend a yoga class every week and exercise at home/at the park another 2 extra days on your own
http://ajprenal.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/293/3/F914
exercise...preserving kidney function...
i) People who exercise on work days are more productive, happier and suffer less stress
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1095783/People-exercise-work-days-happier-suffer-stress-productive.html
j) Scientific Study: Elevated Uric Acid Increases the Risk for Kidney Disease
http://www.natap.org/2008/HIV/092208_07.htm [September 17, 2008. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology doi: 10.1681/ASN.2008010080}
k) All of the foods below can be responsible for excessive uric acid production.
http://www.goutcure.com/goutcausfood.html
Even though some do not contain purines, they can still cause the system to naturally produce uric acid. They are: alcohol, anchovies, asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, consommé, herring, meat gravies, broth, bouillon, mussels, sardines, red meats, organ meats, processed meats (hot dogs, lunch meats, etc.), fried foods, roasted nuts, any food cooked in oil (heated oil destroys vitamin E), rich foods (cakes, sugar products, white flour products), dark greens vegetables, dried fruits, fish, caffeine, beans, lentils, eggs, oatmeal, peas, poultry, yeast products, acetaminophen, and low doses of aspirin
Extremely Acid Forming Foods - with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5
Artificial sweeteners, Carbonated soft drinks & fizzy drinks , Cigarettes , Flour (white wheat), Goat, Lamb, Pastries & cakes from white flour, Pork, Sugar, Beer, Brown sugar, Deer, Chocolate, Coffee , Custard with white sugar, Jams, Jellies, Liquor , Pasta, Rabbit, Semolina, Table salt refined & iodized, Tea black, Turkey, Breads White / Wheat, White rice, vinegar.
l) Home remedies
http://www.ayurvediccure.com/homeremedy/kidney-stones.htm
eg: kidney beans, pomegranates, watermelon, figs, apples
m) Alfalfa
http://webecoist.com/2008/09/30/most-powerful-potent-medicinal-medical-plants-in-nature/
“Alfalfa is fodder for livestock for a reason: it’s incredibly rich in minerals and health-promoting nutrients and compounds. With roots that grow 20 to 30 feet deep, alfalfa is considered the “father of all plants”. (It also contains a high amount of protein for a green.) Alfalfa originally grew in the Mediterranean and Middle East but has now spread to most of Europe and the Americans. It can treat morning sickness, nausea, kidney stones, kidney pain and urinary discomfort. It is a powerful diuretic and has a bit of stimulant power, helping to energize after a bout with illness. It’s a liver and bowel cleanser and long-term can help reduce cholesterol. You can purchase seeds and sprouts, but it’s fine to eat the leaves straight from the earth”
n) Wild medicinal plant
[International Union for Conservation of Nature, HQ in Switzerland with members from more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries (2009)]
http://www.iucn.org/where/asia/?2326
Desert Cistanche (Cistanche deserticola), native to China and Mongolia, its dried stems have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions including kidney problems, constipation, impotence, and infertility.
o) Kidney Disease and Its Leading Causes: Diabetes and Hypertension
[A presentation sponsored by LBNL Healthcare Facilitator Program, LBNL = Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory managed and operated by the University of California.]
Have a healthy lifestyle! When to start? NOW!
It looks like the best long term ‘wholesome remedy’ is to sleep early, drink lots of water, exercise regularly, not be too stressed and watch your food intake.
This article is provided for information purpose only. Please get the advice of a certified physician.
