Kidney and Nutrition

healthy appetite

By Natural Health+

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that lie on either side of the lumbar spine on the posterior abdominal wall. The convex part of the kidney is facing outwards, the concave part or the renal part, is facing the spine.

The kidney controls the composition of the blood and takes over the elimination of water-soluble degradation products. It regulates the water and electrolyte balance, and the acid-base balance of the body. It also acts as an endocrine organ.

Nutrition

To maintain kidney health, the recommended nutritional balance is a mixed diet with emphasis on moderate protein content, particularly animal protein. Note that there is evidence that soy protein commonly found in soy milk and tofu can contribute to the slower progression of renal disease.

Recurring urinary tract infections could be considerably reduced by the consumption of cranberry juice, cranberries, cranberry, and strawberry and raspberry juice. Since kidney disease is often combined with increased blood pressure, salt content of the diet should be controlled. Coffee consumption should not be exaggerated.There is also danger in the use of pain killers.

Assessment

Avoid excessive intake of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs)whichn are produced during baking, frying, heating, toasting and grilling meat and fries. AGEs are also produced when heating milk and roasting coffee.It is therefore very important to used healthier cooking methods when handling raw vegetables. The ideal methods would include boiling, baking, braising or steaming.

There is also a causal reaction between AGEs and atherosclerosis or joint stiffness. This interaction is measurable by an increased inflammatory response in the body which might be lead to the disturbance of endothelial function or the lining of the blood vessels; and the presence of insulin secretion.