Nutritional Help for the Urinary System (Kidney/Bladder)

Nutritional Imbalance: Urinary System

background info | recommendations

KIDNEY/BLADDER

The urinary system is responsible for filtering toxins from the blood. If your kidneys are not working properly, the waste products from cell metabolism can collect in your blood and rise to toxic levels. The kidneys maintain the chemical balance of all body fluids, and help to keep the level of nutrients in the blood in a healthy range, by removing excess nutrients. Another important function of the kidneys is to regulate the amount of salt in the body and therefore help control blood pressure.

Low intake of nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin E is believed to leave the urinary system susceptible to weakness. However, high doses of certain nutrients can also put undue stress on the kidneys, as does low water intake or a diet high in animal protein.

Excess toxins in the body stress the kidneys and bladder. Nutritional screening, careful nutritional supplementation and avoiding high intake of animal products (especially red meat), tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and drugs can help rejuvenate a stressed bladder and kidneys. However, if you suspect you have a disorder of the urinary system, you should see a doctor.

Urinary System Recommendations:

The quiz is designed to look for signs of overworked kidneys and bladder, and not to diagnose disease. If you think you may have a kidney problem, talk to your doctor about your symptoms, especially if you're being treated for high blood pressure. You can give your kidneys and bladder support and nourishment by:

correcting any nutritional deficiencies;
following a diet that is low in animal protein and high in vegetables (especially leafy greens), fruits and whole grains;
keeping your salt intake low;
making sure you get plenty of vegetable fibre in your diet daily;
cutting back your intake of coffee, sugar, alcohol, salt, white flour, meat and cheese;
eating more foods with a high magnesium/calcium ratio, such as buckwheat, corn, oats, brown rice, bananas, lima beans, potatoes and soy products like tofu;
drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water every day (dehydration causes severe kidney stress);
drinking 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or pure cider vinegar in a glass of water first thing every morning;
drinking more fresh vegetable juices and/or one of the green drinks available at your health food store;
taking a multivitamin/mineral tablet daily (with a meal);
exercising regularly and getting enough rest.

These recommendations will also help to keep your immune system strong -- your best defense against any infections.

Women are more vulnerable to urinary tract infections than men. Cranberry juice or unsweetened cranberry tincture that you dilute in water is sometimes effective in reducing the occurrence of urinary infections. Cranberries contain a substance that appears to make it more difficult for bacteria to stick to the bladder wall. For many people, an acidophilius supplement with meals also helps increase resistance to urinary infections.

There are some very effective, safe herbal compounds which can help keep your urinary tract healthy and prevent urinary tract infections, but they should be prescribed by a naturopath, or holistic doctor.