The function of the Kidneys - Foods for Kidney Health and Chronic Kidney Disease

Looking after your kidneys is extremely important. It is possible to live with only one kidney, some people being born with only one can still live normal, healthy lives. However, if both kidneys fail then life itself fails. The kidneys are working, every minute, 24 hours, 7 days a week. They sort out recyclable waste from non-recyclable waste, clean the blood, and help remove toxins from the body.

To sum it up: The kidneys act as filters for your body to clean blood of wastes, yet retain essential elements needed by the body they keep the proper balance of salts and acids in the body, and produce hormones and enzymes which help to:
# Control your blood pressure
# Help to keep your internal water balance
# Make red blood cells and help maintain your blood composition and pH levels
# Maintain strong and healthy bones and help to keep mineral balance

Most
of the waste is produced by the body as it processes the food you eat. What you eat is the leading factor to how well your kidneys function and how efficient they are at doing their job. Consuming highly processed, sugary foods or drinks, chemically enhanced and modified foods, alcohol, medications or drugs, or any other substances that don't support health in the body, the kidneys are worked under constant pressure, and aren't able to make up for the over-load of toxins that the body receives. This can lead to all sorts of complications in the kidneys, as well as other organs, hormonal productions, and the blood.

Potentially kidney problems can develop into Kidney disease.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
If you lose over 1/3 of your kidney function for over 3 months, it is called Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD. Sometimes kidney disease leads to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to keep you alive. Early detection and treatment can help prevent kidney failure and the need for dialysis or transplant treatment.
If you are diagnosed with CKD, this means that your kidneys have been damaged and are not working as well as they should normally. Kidney disease is called a ‘silent disease’ as there are often no warnings.
# It is not uncommon for people to lose up to 90% of their kidney function before getting any symptoms.

# People can live a near normal life with as little as 20 percent of their total kidney function.

# When symptoms do occur the initial signs may be general, such as feeling tired or generalised itching.

# As kidney disease progresses, symptoms can include changes in the urine (reduced volume, discolouration, blood or pus), nausea and vomiting and appetite loss.

# Other symptoms include swollen or numb hands and feet (because of water retention), weakness and lethargy, darkened skin and muscle cramps.
About 50 people a day die of a kidney related disease.

Here are some foods that are great for people living with Kidney Disease, or even people that want to improve their kidney health:

1) Red Bell Peppers: are an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as vitamin B6, folic acid and fibre. Red bell peppers are good for you because they contain lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against certain cancers.

2) Cabbage: s packed full of phytochemicals, chemical compounds in fruit or vegetables that break up free radicals before they can do damage. Many phytochemicals are also known to protect against and fight cancer, as well as foster cardiovascular health. Sulforaphane, a phytochemical in cruciferous vegetables, may prevent or stop cancer cell growth in lung, colon, breast, bladder, prostate and ovarian cancers. High in vitamin K, vitamin C and fibre, cabbage is also a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid.

3) Cauliflower: is high in vitamin C and a good source of folate and fibre, packed full of indoles, glucosinolates and thiocyanates- compounds that help the liver neutralise toxic substances that could damage cell membranes and DNA.

4) Garlic: helps prevent plaque from forming on your teeth, lowers cholesterol, reduces inflammation, and promotes a healthy immune system.

5) Onions: are rich in flavonoids, especially quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that works to reduce heart disease and protects against many cancers. Onions are a good source of chromium, a mineral that helps with carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism.

6) Apples: have been known to reduce cholesterol, prevent constipation, protect against heart disease and reduce the risk of cancer. They are also high in fibre and anti-inflammatory compounds.

7) Cranberries: are known to protect against bladder infections by preventing bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. In a similar way, cranberries also protect the stomach from ulcer-causing bacteria and protect the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, promoting GI health. Cranberries have also been shown to protect against cancer and heart disease.

8) Blueberries: are high in antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, which give them their blue colour, and they are bursting with natural compounds that reduce inflammation. Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C; manganese, a compound that keeps your bones healthy; and fibre, and may also help protect the brain from some of the effects of aging. Antioxidants in blueberries and other berries have been shown to help slow bone breakdown in those low in oestrogen.

9) Raspberries: contain a phytonutrient called ellagic acid which helps neutralise free radicals in the body to prevent cell damage. They also contain flavonoids called anthocyanins, antioxidants which give them their red colour. An excellent source of manganese, vitamin C, fibre and folate, a B vitamin, raspberries may have properties that inhibit cancer cell growth and tumour formation.

10) Strawberries: are rich in two types of phenols: anthocyanins and ellagitannins. Anthocyananins are what give strawberries their red colour and are powerful antioxidants that help protect body cell structures and prevent oxidative damage. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese and a very good source of fibre. They are known to provide heart protection, as well as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory components.

11) Cherries: have been shown to reduce inflammation when eaten daily. They are also packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect the heart

12) Red Grapes: contain several flavonoids that give them their reddish colour. Flavonoids help protect against heart disease by preventing oxidation and reducing the formation of blood clots. Resveratrol, a flavonoid found in grapes, may also stimulate production of nitric oxide which helps relax muscle cells in the blood vessels to increase blood flow. These flavonoids also provide protection against cancer and prevent inflammation.

13) Olive Oil: is a great source of oleic acid, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. The monounsaturated fat in olive oil protects against oxidation. Olive oil is rich in ployphenols and antioxidant compounds that prevent inflammation and oxidation.

　

Additional Sources:

http://www.kidney.org.au
 
http://www.davita.com