The Cleansing Function of the Kidneys
At Sap.je, we believe that being mindful of our lifestyle helps to keep our bodies balanced and functioning optimally. Our kidneys are an important part of our body's self-cleansing system. But what exactly do the kidneys do? And what can we do to support the optimal functioning of our body? You can read about these questions here. In this blog, you can learn about:
What are kidneys and what do they do?
What is detoxification?
What is kidney cleansing?
How do I support my kidneys?
Is kidney cleansing necessary?
What are kidneys and what do they do exactly?
Your kidneys are the bean-shaped organs located on either side of your spine, at the level of your lower ribs. They are approximately the size of a fist. Each kidney is like a small factory composed of about a million functional units called nephrons. A nephron consists of a cluster of blood vessels through which a tiny tube carries blood. As the blood flows through this cluster, it is filtered, and chemicals and water are added or removed from the blood, depending on the body's needs. The end product is the urine that we excrete. [1]
Every 24 hours, the kidneys filter approximately 200 liters of fluid, which is equivalent to our entire blood volume being filtered 40 times. From this, about 2 liters are extracted as urine, while the rest continues to circulate. In addition to their filtering function, the kidneys also regulate the fluid balance in your body. Moreover, they activate vitamin D, contributing to bone formation, regulate the balance of certain nutrients in your blood, and have important hormonal functions.
What is Detoxification?
Detoxification is a process that your body naturally carries out. Your liver, lungs, kidneys, and intestines work together to filter harmful substances from your blood, air, and food. Your kidneys play the important role of cleansing the blood, doing so approximately 40 times a day!
When the body receives more toxins than the liver can process, they are stored in fat cells. The kidneys also have a protective layer of fat, but that is not necessarily the focus of "kidney cleansing."
What is Kidney Cleansing?
The exact meaning of the popular use of the words "kidney cleanse" or "kidney cleansing" is not very clear. It is not the case that there is residual waste in the kidneys, as is often said to occur in the intestines.
Another interpretation is that "kidney cleansing" actually means "supporting the kidneys." More information on how to do this will be provided later.
A common kidney condition is the formation of kidney stones. The precise causes of kidney stones are still largely unclear, making it difficult to provide specific advice for prevention. However, for maintaining a healthy and properly functioning body, it is important to engage in regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and drink enough fluids. These general recommendations are always advisable.
Not all kidney stones are composed of the same minerals, so different approaches may be needed to dissolve various types of kidney stones. In general, a low urine pH is the biggest risk factor for kidney stones, often associated with being overweight. Therefore, weight loss is recommended as a general guideline for all types of kidney stones. [3]
To prevent kidney stones, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and avoid going to extremes. In general, consuming an adequate amount of potassium, for example, is a good idea, but exceeding a certain level can become dangerous, especially when combined with chronic kidney conditions. [4] A similar principle applies to calcium: it is generally better for the kidneys to consume slightly less of it, but it should not be completely eliminated from the diet. [5]
In general, for healthy kidneys without kidney stones, it is recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
How do I support my kidneys?
There are several nutrients and dietary adjustments that have a supportive effect on the kidneys.
1. Eat foods that are rich in healthy nutrients.
A healthy diet forms the foundation of a well-functioning body. By consuming an ample amount of vegetables and fruits, you ensure that you obtain a wide range of vitamins and minerals that support the functioning of your body.
2. Reduce your protein intake.
In general, it is advised to consume less protein. When proteins are broken down and digested, they release the most waste compared to other nutrients. Therefore, consuming a high amount of protein can put a significant burden on the kidneys. [6]
3. Drink plenty of water.
Extensive scientific research has been conducted on the effect of drinking plenty of water on the kidneys. While the results for the healthy population are not clear, it has been found that for patients with kidney disorders, consuming a large amount of water (enough to produce 3 to 4 litres of urine per day) had a positive effect: cysts reduced in size and symptoms of the disease decreased. [7]
A reliable indicator of healthy, clean kidneys seems to be the clarity and odourlessness of your urine.
4. Alternative remedies such as uva ursi, gokshura, and berberis are commonly used.Alternatieve geneesmiddelen zoals uva ursi, gokshura en berberis
These three foods are derived from homeopathy and Ayurveda and have been used for a considerable period to prevent kidney stones, improve urine flow, and prevent inflammation of kidney tissue. For more information, please visit this website.
Conclusion
Fortunately, our bodies are designed to eliminate toxic substances from our system: our kidneys, liver, and intestines do that for us. However, in this era of significant chemical exposure, it is important to be mindful of our lifestyle and support the optimal functioning of our bodies. We can achieve this by drinking plenty of water, consuming healthy food, and minimizing our intake of toxins. Additionally, we can kickstart our healthy lifestyle by engaging in a period of juice fasting. This gives our kidneys the opportunity to perform their functions optimally and prevents them from being overwhelmed by the abundance of toxins that our bodies can be exposed to in the modern world.