In case of kidney disease, it is important that the diet is selected in such a way that the foods are healthy. In particular, they should contain vitamins for the kidneys and have a diuretic effect. A properly composed dietary table is the main condition for successful treatment of organ diseases. In order for the kidneys and bladder to function properly, you need to know which components should be included in the list. Experts will tell you about this in detail.
How to protect your kidneys?
In a normal state, the kidneys function without failure and do not require assistance in performing their functions. Even if there are no symptoms of kidney dysfunction, this does not mean that they are working fully. The peculiarities of their functionality lie in the fact that, despite the fact that it is a paired organ, if one part is damaged, the second part can fully perform a cleansing function. They are able to withstand extreme stress until they lose 75% of their performance. Impaired kidney function affects the functioning of the liver, since they are interconnected by the body’s cleansing system. If they stop performing their functions, they are transferred to the liver. Excessive loads on the excretory system can cause the development of serious diseases. You can protect your kidneys from damage if you follow simple recommendations:
- Engage in physical activity.
Sport is a prerequisite for healthy kidneys. With a sedentary lifestyle, fat accumulates on the kidneys, which impedes blood supply to the parenchyma, and tissue sensitivity is lost. Exercise promotes blood flow and oxygen supply. Normally, they are surrounded by a small layer of fatty tissue that protects them from damage, but lack of exercise can cause fatty kidneys and liver. - There are healthy products.
Nutrition is the basis for proper kidney function. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins to strengthen organ tissue and prevent urolithiasis. Plant foods are well absorbed by the body and do not accumulate in the parenchyma as deposits. What products are beneficial? This is the food that contains vitamins A, B, E, C and D. - To drink a lot of water.
Water promotes normal urine flow, so drinking plenty of fluids is recommended for the health of the urinary system. You need to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Normally, urination occurs 3-4 times a day in sufficient quantities. Frequent urges in a small volume or, conversely, urinary retention may indicate inflammation of the tissues or disruption of the urinary system. - Maintain normal body temperature.
Cold causes vasoconstriction and impaired blood supply, so for normal kidney and liver function it is necessary to keep your legs and lower back warm. Regular visits to the bathhouse and taking a hot shower will help enrich the organ with blood and oxygen. When exposed to cold, an inflammatory process may begin in the parenchyma, which will be aggravated by the addition of an infection. Warm clothing and maintaining the correct temperature will protect the organ from hypothermia. - Regular kidney cleansing.
Even healthy organs need to be cleansed regularly. To do this, you can use diuretic decoctions of herbs or special medications. They will increase urine output and remove stones and other deposits.
Fruits and vegetables prevent the formation of urolithiasis
Causes of diseases
According to statistics, kidney problems are familiar to almost every third Russian. Cystitis, pyelonephritis, and urolithiasis are quite common among the adult population.
The sad fact is that these diseases are increasing in children.
A well-known cause of kidney disease, among others, is dietary errors and addiction to unhealthy foods and drinks.
The danger comes from stress, infections, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Often, a malfunction of the immune system predisposes to chronic pathologies.
A healthy lifestyle will help strengthen the body's defenses and prevent kidney disease; it consists of following three rules. This includes physical activity, a diet of kidney-healthy foods, and proper drinking regimen.
What vitamins are needed for the kidneys?
You can get the necessary vitamins from food. Kidneys need a whole complex of useful vitamins that are necessary for their full functioning. Food enriched with vitamins A, B, E, C and D strengthens tissues and promotes normal organ function. Various microelements are also useful for the kidneys: iodine, zinc, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, fluorine, etc. Vitamins are especially useful for the kidneys:
- Vitamin A – promotes tissue regeneration and replenishes tissue damage;
- beta-carotene – improves performance, stimulates urine output and has a general strengthening effect;
- tocopherol – strengthens cells and increases their strength;
- niacin – a substance that stimulates cell restoration;
- riboflavin – improves the functioning of the secretory glands;
- pyridoxine - promotes the breakdown of protein and the removal of metabolic products from the body;
- vitamin C – thins the blood, improves blood circulation;
- iron – normalizes hemoglobin and oxygen levels;
- iodine – replenishes energy consumption and increases work efficiency.
These vitamins and substances are needed by the kidneys to increase their resistance to infections and inflammation. Food enriched with vitamins is beneficial not only for the health of the kidneys, but also for the body as a whole.
The necessary substances are contained only in plant foods, so abuse of meat as a source of protein negatively affects the condition of the liver and urinary system.
Vitamin C thins the blood
Active lifestyle
Physical activity is extremely important for the kidneys. Your daily gymnastics routine should include exercises that improve blood circulation in your organs.
It is useful to swim, run, dance. Ordinary walks, cycling, and skiing have a beneficial effect.
Any dynamic sport will be beneficial. During exercise, the danger of injury is a warning; they should be avoided as much as possible in contact sports.
A sedentary lifestyle leads to loss of flexibility of the spine and deterioration of blood circulation, which negatively affects the functioning of the organ.
It is recommended to visit the steam room or sauna at least once a week. Temperature contrast improves metabolism. With sweat, salts, waste, toxins and other breakdown products are eliminated, and the load on the kidneys is reduced.
Healthy foods for the kidneys
Some vegetables and fruits are simply a storehouse of nutrients for the health of the urinary system. A proper diet is the key to normal liver and kidney function. Poor nutrition and abuse of harmful foods can cause disruption of metabolic processes and, as a result, the appearance of stones and sand. Accumulations in the kidneys contribute to the appearance of the inflammatory process and the development of pyelonephritis. To protect your kidneys from harmful effects, you need to eat right and include in your diet:
- Watermelon. Many people know about the properties of watermelon for the kidneys. Watermelon is a natural diuretic that is enriched with vitamins, minerals and beneficial amino acids. Watermelon also helps normalize the acid-base balance and prevent stone formation. An effective remedy for the normal functioning of the urinary system is watermelon oil. Oil is extracted from watermelon seeds and is an excellent remedy for the prevention of pyelonephritis, nephritis and urolithiasis. Watermelon oil contains vitamin A, B, D, amino acids and antioxidants. Watermelon oil promotes the outflow of urine and normalizes the condition of the parenchyma. The oil can be added to salads or prepared as dressing sauces. Oil is especially useful for inflammation. The oil has an antibacterial effect and destroys infection. Watermelon oil can also be used for liver tubing. The oil is used to treat urolithiasis and liver diseases. Watermelon oil can be consumed to prevent kidney disease.
- Cranberry. Cranberry juice contains a large amount of vitamin C and beneficial microelements. It is recommended to drink cranberry juice to break down metabolic products and speed up renal metabolism. You can drink cranberry juice to prevent the formation of stones. Cranberry disinfects and relieves inflammation, so its juice is a natural antibiotic.
- Pumpkin. Pumpkin contains a large amount of vitamin A and B. Pumpkin removes waste and toxins and enriches the body with useful microelements. Pumpkin has a beneficial effect on the urinary system and normalizes metabolic processes.
- Blueberries and currants. These berries are rich in vitamin C and have a beneficial effect on the kidneys. It is recommended to drink blueberry and currant juice to prevent urolithiasis. Blueberry juice neutralizes toxins, and currant juice neutralizes infection.
- Greenery. Parsley, dill and other salad greens contain useful substances necessary for the normal functioning of the urinary system. Regular consumption of fresh greens will enrich the body with vitamins and amino acids. Greens promote the synthesis of vitamins and their absorption by the kidneys.
- Apples. Fresh apples and fresh apple juice contain vitamins A, B, K, PP and various microelements. You can drink apple juice to prevent stone formation, since the juice has a diuretic effect on the kidneys. Apple juice is also indicated for inflammation of organ tissue and parenchyma.
Watermelon is a natural diuretic
Fennel, basil, celery and other green vegetables and fruits contribute to the normal functionality of the genitourinary system and prevent the development of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
It is also recommended to eat purple and yellow fruits and vegetables. They contain beta-carotene, which is necessary for the health of the urinary system.
Essential Drinks
The volume of fluid required by the body is 1.5-2 liters per day.
The ideal healthy liquid would be clean, filtered water, consumed in small portions throughout the day. Water washes out harmful substances from the blood, making it less viscous.
With low water consumption, the water-salt balance is disrupted, and urine salts form stones as a result of the reaction. A sufficient amount of water prevents the development of infection in the urinary tract and facilitates the functioning of the kidneys.
Mineral water should be consumed with caution. All of it contains a lot of salt.
If your urine is highly acidic, you should drink alkaline water, and vice versa. The healthiest drinks for the body include:
- herbal decoctions, infusions of birch leaves, horsetail, chamomile flowers, mint, rosehip roots, St. John's wort help remove toxins, cleanse the organ of sand and salts;
- vegetable and fruit fresh juices;
- green or black teas with lemon, milk;
- cranberry and lingonberry fruit drinks;
- infusion of rose hips.
A sufficient amount of these drinks can prevent the formation of kidney stones. In the autumn-spring seasons, it is good to cleanse the organ with a kidney mixture, a decoction of lingonberry leaves.
Bell pepper
Bell peppers contain many valuable nutrients. The potassium content is low, which makes peppers stand out from other vegetables.
1 vegetable contains 150% of the daily value of vitamin C, 100% of the daily value of vitamin A.
The components described above reduce the risk of developing aseptic inflammatory processes in the wall of the renal tubules, which occur with severe atherosclerosis and diabetes, and also normalize the functioning of local immune factors. The effects are scientifically proven.
Pepper should be added to food to protect kidney tissue from a large number of pathologies.
Blueberry
Blueberries improve not only the functioning of the visual system, but also the kidneys. They help dissolve and remove sand and small stones (mainly oxalates) from the kidneys, thereby preventing the development of kidney stones.
Scientists have proven that the anthocyanins (antioxidants) contained in blueberries protect the kidney tubules from destructive and atrophic changes that can be observed during hypertension and diabetes.
An additional advantage of blueberries is their extremely low content of sodium, potassium and phosphorus.
Blueberries retain their entire range of medicinal properties even after heat treatment.
Blueberries are one of the main products that prevent the formation of stones in the pyelocaliceal structure of the kidneys and the underlying parts of the urinary system.
Phytotherapy
The undoubted benefit for the kidneys lies in decoctions of medicinal plants.
A decoction of rose hips will help replenish the missing vitamins in your diet.
Decoctions of kidney tea herbs, cornflower leaves, wild strawberries, birch, and steelberry roots will be useful as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent.
Parsley leaves, corn silk and knotweed contain vitamins C and K. In addition, the benefit of their use lies in the stone-loosening effect.
