Kidney Diseases
Etiology: There
are several types of problems that may occur to the kidney or bladder.
Glomerulonephritis occurs when the minute filtering units of
the kidney become swollen and inflamed. There are 2 forms of
glomerulonephritis that affect children. Cystitis is infection of
the bladder , and pyelonephritis is an
infection of the kidney. Pyelonephritis can be chronic or acute.
A kidney infection is often serious, requiring hospitalization.
Bright's disease involves nephritis, a chronic
inflammation of the kidneys, and it is characterized by blood/protein
in the urine with associated hypertension and edema. The kidney
can not properly excrete salt and other wastes, resulting in
retention of salt and water (edema). When the bloodstream becomes
toxic with wastes due to kidney malfunction, uremia develops.
SYMPTOMS: The
symptoms include chills, fever, urgency and frequency of
urination, back and abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and
vomiting. The urine is cloudy and often bloody. Pain may be
sudden to intense in the back just above the waist and running
down to the groin. See the doctor if you have these symptoms.
Omit iron supplements while this problem exists.
NUTRIENTS:
- Distilled water, 6-8 oz. every hour
while awake (extra fluids are very important, quality of water
is essential for proper urinary tract function).
- Acidophilus tablets or liquid, 3 tablets
per day or liquid 3 times per day, is especially important
if taking antibiotics.
- Vitamin B6, 50 mg. 3 times per day,
reduces fluid retention.
- Choline, 1,000 mg.
- Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids,
2,000-4,000 mg. daily, acidifies the urine, potentiates immune
function, and aids healing.
- Dandelion root or extract and pumpkin extract,
taken as directed on the label, aids in excretion of the
kidney’s waste products.
- Calcium, 1,500 mg. daily (calcium and
magnesium should be in 2-1 ratio in the body. Do not take
bone meal.).
- Magnesium, 750 mg. per day.
- Hydrochloric acid (HCL) and digestive enzymes,
taken as directed on the label, is necessary in digestion
(for the elderly, but omit if stomach ulcers are
present).
- L-Arginine, 500 mg. 4 times per day
(food sources are: legumes, fish, soybeans, and seeds).
- L-Methionine, taken as directed on the
label, is for improved kidney circulation.
- Lecithin, 1 tbsp. 3 times per day, is
needed for nephritis.
- Multimineral complex, taken as directed
on the label (mineral depletion is common in kidney
disease.
- Vitamin A emulsion, 25,000 IU per day in
divided doses, is important in healing of urinary tract
lining and in immune function.
- Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. per day, is
needed for nephritis.
- Riboflavin (B2), 25 mg. 3 times per day.
- Vitamin E emulsion or capsules, 800 IU
emulsion daily; or 200 IU capsules gradually increasing
to 1,000 IU, promotes immune function and is an important
free radical destroyer.
- Zinc, 50-80 mg. per day, is an
immunostimulant necessary for healing.
HERBS:
- Alder
- Barley
- Borage
- Butterbur
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Drink one quart of marshmallow tea daily. It will help to
strengthen the bladder, to cleanse the bladder and
kidneys, and to expel kidney stones.
- Diet should be low-protein, obtaining protein from
vegetable sources, such as: peas, bean, lentils,
mushrooms, and asparagus. High protein diets cause the
body to lose calcium, and when this is excreted, it
passes through the kidneys and can cause painful kidney stones.
- Protein is broken down by the liver and kidneys.
Accumulation of protein can result in uremia, which is
the toxic build-up of protein waste (such as urea) in the
bloodstream.
- Drink 3 glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice daily. It
inhibits growth of bacteria by acidifying the urine.
- Diet should consist of 75% raw foods. Reduce intake of
potassium and phosphates. Do not use any salt or
potassium chloride (salt substitute). Also avoid fish,
meat, eggs, spinach, rhubarb, Swiss chard, beet tops,
tea, chocolate, and cocoa because of their high oxalic
acid content. Excess oxalic acid may lead to kidney
stones.
- Eat garlic, potatoes, asparagus, parsley, watercress,
celery, cucumbers, papaya, and bananas. Watermelon and
pumpkin seeds are also beneficial. Watermelon should be
eaten alone. Eat seeds, sprouts, and green vegetables.
- Avoid dairy products except those that are soured such as
yogurt, buttermilk, and cottage cheese. Goat’s milk
is acceptable.
SUGGESTIONS:
Women having recurrent bladder or kidney infections should not
use tampons, and should always wear cotton underwear. Never
Nylon.
Recurrent urinary tract infections indicate the possibility of
a serious underlying problem------See The Doctor!
