How Do Natural Treatments Affect the Kidneys?

The Kidneys

Kidneys that work properly perform several functions essential for the human body. These functions include the following:

• Filtering waste products out of the blood
• Producing urine
• Controlling blood pressure
• Maintaining normal fluid levels
• Maintaining normal electrolyte levels

If you have kidney disease, you may be wondering if natural treatments can help you improve your condition. While a good diet and proper nutrition are essential to fighting kidney disease, it’s imperative that you discuss your diet with your doctor before trying any natural therapies or herbs. Since compromised kidneys do not carry out their functions properly, eating too much of one vitamin or mineral can have serious consequences.

Natural Treatments

In people with normal kidney function, herbal treatments provide many benefits. In people with compromised kidney function, ingesting herbs and other natural remedies can cause dangerous side effects. For example, licorice increases blood pressure. In patients with kidney disease, it is already difficult to control blood pressure levels. Increasing blood pressure even further can increase the risk for stroke and heart attack.

Dietary Changes

Vitamins and minerals are an important part of the diet. In people without major medical problems, taking a mineral supplement or popping a daily vitamin is no cause for concern. In people with kidney disease, taking vitamin and mineral supplements can lead to serious consequences. Because the kidneys control electrolyte levels in the blood, sodium and potassium levels may be abnormal in cases of kidney disease. High sodium levels lead to muscle problems, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and even paralysis. Left untreated, high potassium levels lead to cardiac arrest and death. Taking a supplement that contains potassium, or adding potassium-rich foods to your diet, increases the risk of these consequences.

Increased intake of other nutrients can also cause problems for people with kidney disease.

Protein: Protein consumption makes the kidneys work harder, so eating too much protein can also cause kidney disease to get worse. Reducing your protein intake reduces the workload of the kidneys and may improve kidney function.

Phosphorus: Phosphorus is a mineral that helps with the formation of strong bone and balancing calcium levels in the blood. When the kidneys don’t work properly, phosphorus levels increase and make it difficult for the body to maintain normal calcium levels.

Restricted Foods

Foods to avoid depend on the severity of your condition. If you have early stage kidney disease and have no symptoms, you may be able to eat a mostly normal diet. Patients in advanced stages of kidney disease often have to control intake of protein, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium. Avoid the following foods to improve your condition:

Protein: Avoid fatty red meats; replace them with poultry and fish

Potassium: Avoid high-potassium foods, such as chocolate, yams, tomatoes, potatoes, cantaloupes, and kiwifruit. Replace them with watermelon, onions, bell peppers, and frozen ice pipes.

Sodium: High levels of sodium are found in fast foods, processed luncheon meats, frozen meals, canned soups, and canned vegetables. Replace these foods with fresh foods that are low in potassium and phosphorus.

Phosphorus: Avoid dairy products, chocolate, corn, cola soft drinks, and potatoes. Replace them with clear soft drinks, cottage cheese, and low-potassium fruits and vegetables.

References

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: The Kidneys and How They Work

Davita: Potassium and Chronic Kidney Disease

Medical College of Wisconsin: Diet for Renal Patient