Foods and herbs to strengthen and heal kidneys

The kidney's main function is to remove toxins from the body contained in the blood, but it’s also responsible for expelling waste that are not used by the body through the urine. It is vitally important to keep our kidneys healthy, and take special care when there is a tendency to kidney ailments, stones or pain from bruises.

All persons who wish to care for their kidneys or have renal problems or weakness need to include care, following a diet that will help to strengthen and eliminate any future complications. Here is a list of foods you should include in your diet if this is your case or if you just want to have consciousness from what is best for your kidneys.

Foods to moderate or avoid

Proteins: all foods that give extra effort to kidney. For example, a high consumption of protein is actually harmful to the kidney, especially animal protein. So, you must moderate or avoid (especially if your kidney is weak) your consumption of meat, milk, cheese, eggs, etc.

Sugar, fats and processed (in diabetics and people with high cholesterol): If you have high cholesterol then you know that your kidneys can be damaged or weakened, which could lead you to have a kidney problem. So if this is your case, you should moderate your intake of protein far, refined sugar and white bread. Consider this if you are diabetic, and place special emphasis on eliminating refined sugar and byproducts.

Potassium: a high intake of potassium can be harmful, especially if your kidneys are already weak for any condition. If this is your case, you should consider moderately eating bananas and nuts.

Salt: reduce your salt intake, especially if you are hypertensive, as this condition damages internal organs like the kidneys. Abuse in salt intake promotes a rise in blood pressure which is more detrimental to the kidneys. The sausages, pickles, snacks, etc, are foods that contain high amounts of salt.

In case of kidney stones: in general, you should avoid coffee, alcohol and tea, but your diet also should be tailored according to the type of stone you have. If uric acid, avoid animal meat especially red meat, liver, brain, sausages, etc. You should also avoid chocolate, and spinach. If the stones are calcium oxalate: the best for you is a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and limit or reduce the consumption of pasta, bread, potatoes, sweets and all products containing white sugar.

If renal insufficiency: avoid animal protein except cheese. Moderate most of the fats, both animal and vegetable.

Foods you should eat

Consumption of pure water is the delicacy of the kidney, as it helps remove harmful toxins and fats easily and without work. You should drink a day at least 2 liters of pure water, but if you eat high protein or salty foods, you must add two more glasses. If you don’t do this, your kidneys will be among the first to resent. If you want to keep your kidneys healthy, free of infections and diseases, drinking water is the base. People with more severe problems which can’t pee and are very swollen should avoid drinking water. If you have stones, drink bicarbonate water, which prevents the formation or enlargement of uric acid kidney stones, which cause cramps and other problems resulting from kidney failure.

Watermelon: healing fruit and best ally of the kidney because of its high water content and its juice, which helps cleansing the tissues and blood. If you're going to eat watermelon, choose a cool and do not store more than two days as it often oxidize rapidly.

Diuretic Foods: such as grapes, artichokes, apples, pineapple, etc. If you suffer from any condition of the liver, put on a diet one day eating only watermelon, grapes or apples and pure water. This diet helps fight stones.

Carrot: an excellent vegetable cleansing, helps restore and nourish the kidney tissues.

Phytotherapy for the kidney

• The infusion of dandelion is considered one of the best home remedies for the kidneys.
• Parsley is an excellent remedy for the kidneys, strengthens and prevents the occurrence of stones.
• The green nettle is also a very good remedy for the kidneys. Put a tablespoon of herb in a cup of pure water boiling and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off and let stand another 5 minutes. Strain and drink one cup fasting three days a week, you will feel great.
• St. Nicholas (Chrysactinia mexicana): use the stem and leaves, is an excellent diuretic.
• Horsetail (Equisetum robustum): is a plant stimulant and a diuretic for the kidneys, recommended for treating kidney stones, gallstones, inflammation and urinary tract infections and in case of fluid retention. These are generally all the problems of kidney and urinary tract.
• Stonebreaker: it has diuretic and tonic for the urinary bladder, helps to dissolve all kinds of kidney stones.
• Guazima flower (Pithecellobiun): its flowers have applications for liver and kidney.
• Arnica: if you have suffered a severe blow in the kidney and only want to help you recover from the injury, it is best arnica, either in cream or taking arnica tea infusions.

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