|
Advice
Career Advice
Gardening Advice
Health Advice
Love Advice
Personal Finance Advice
Relationship Advice
YOU advice
Home
|
Kidney disorders currently affect 3 million people nationwide. In the
United States, more than 44,000 people are patiently waiting for a
near-perfect match for a cadaveric kidney. More than 100,000 Americans
are dependent on man-made machines (dialysis) to do what their own
kidneys can't; clean toxins and fluid from their blood. Research shows
that 15% of those on a dialysis machine are there due to the use of
Tylenol and/or aspirin.
The Kidney plays a leading role in the excretion of metabolic wastes,
the regulation of body fluid, and maintaining electrolyte (sodium and
potassium) balance (vital for staying hydrated). Additionally, the
kidney synthesizes and releases hormones, such as renin and
erythropoietin (EPO) and metabolizes vitamin D3 to the active
1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 form. The kidneys are equipped with a variety
of detoxification mechanisms and, relative to other organs, have
considerable functional reserve and regenerative capacities.
Kidney failure can potentially occur at any age. It may develop suddenly
(acute renal failure) and lead to death in a matter of days. Or it may
occur slowly due to the loss of functional nephrons (chronic renal
failure).
Causes of Kidney Failure
Loss of nephrons has a variety of causes including but not
limited to bacterial infections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug's (NSAID's) such as acetaminophen, analgesics/anti-inflammatory
agents, antibiotics such as vancomycin, and metals such as lead,
mercury, nickel, chromium. Lastly, cholesterol drugs known as
statins severely damage the kidney due to their ability to cause
rhabdomyolysis (damage to the integrity of the sarcolemma of
skeletal muscle, leading to the release of potentially toxic muscle
cell components into the blood). These include lipitor, Zocor,
Pravochol, Mevacor, Lescol and Baycol
Risk factors that contribute to the incidence and severity of
nephron damage include continued dehydration (potentially due to
excess use of soda), mitochondrial (considered the powerhouse of the
cell) dysfunction (due to free radicals and/or toxins), hypotension,
age, and diabetes. The consequence of kidney failure is profound and
there is no cure, dialysis or renal transplantation is the only
option.
Signs of Kidney Failure
Kidney failure, due to nephron damage, results in disturbances of many
bodily functions and thus makes it relatively easy to diagnose and
prevent. The following list is not comprehensive but does illustrate the
potential physiological abnormalities that can develop with kidney
failure.
Anemia - Anemia is characterized by a fall in blood
hematocrit to 20% to 35%. Anemia results from a decrease in
production of EPO. EPO stimulates the bone marrow to produce red
blood cells that are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the
body. Human EPO is synthesized in a laboratory by recombinant DNA
methods. When administered to renal failure patients, it corrects
the anemia. Additionally, the kidney can be activated by anabolic
steroids to engage in EPO release, the advantage being that steroid
treatment is less inexpensive. Conversely, unwanted side effects and
toxicity may accompany steroid use. This can be dependent on the
type of steroid used and the dose.
Note: Those who suffer from anemia due to kidney failure will
most commonly suffer from fatigue and shortness of breath. Often
times, doctors will erroneously treat anemic patients by advising
iron supplementation without considering kidney failure.
Azotemia - Azotemia is the accumulation of nitrogenous
waste products in the blood due to decreased glomerular filtration
rate (GFR). Plasma urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels are
elevated; often times the Blood Urea Nitrogen test is performed
(BUN). This however, is one dimensional in diagnosing kidney
failure. To be accurate, other symptoms such as these discussed must
be accounted for.
Note: It is important to understand that creatinine is the by
product of the Kreb's cycle and the molecular waste of creatine. As
we exercise, creatinine levels can be high due to the production of
ATP from the Kreb's cycle. Hence, a BUN test may indicate a high
level of creatinine due to extreme exercise.
Calcium and phosphate metabolism - Another indication of
kidney failure is a decrease in plasma calcium levels and an
increase in plasma phosphate levels.
Secondary hyperparathyroidism - Secondary
hyperparathyroidism can also result due to inadequate synthesis of
the active form of vitamin D by the kidney.
Combined, a decrease in plasma calcium, an increase in plasma
phosphate, and low production of the active form of vitamin D leads
to bone disease. Symptoms include sore and swollen joints, bone
deformities, and bone fractures.
Hypertension - High blood pressure is often present in
kidney failure. The origin of high blood pressure is not always
known. However, a diseased kidney produces excessive amounts of
renin, which in turn activates the production of a blood vessel
constricting agent known as angiotensin II. This leads to
hypertension.
Note: Whey proteins have been shown to inhibit angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) and ultimately stop hypertension by decreasing the
biosynthesis of angiotensin II. Needless to say, whey
supplementation is a must for those suffering from hypertension
and/or kidney failure.
Potassium Balance - Kidney failure, as mentioned
previously, causes the glomerular filtration rate to fall. If it
falls to 15-20 ml/min, retention of potassium in the plasma can rise
to lethal levels.
Sodium Balance - For patience with severe kidney failure,
sodium balance becomes impaired. On a normal sodium diet, excessive
sodium and water is retained (can be seen by weight increase) and
leads to edema.
Quick Tips
Understanding the signs of kidney failure will ultimately allow us
prevent it. Once noticed it is imperative that we take the proper steps
to allow the kidney to regenerate. Often times this calls for a
lifestyle change.
First and foremost, it is vital that we utilize natural alternatives to
xenobiotics (synthetic drugs). Xenobiotics reap havoc on our kidney and
liver. For instance, research shows - that those who ingest aspirin or
acetaminophen twice a week for two months - are two to three times more
likely to have the beginning stages of chronic kidney failure.
Natural alternatives are easily excreted from our system and do not
cause damage to our cells or organs. For example, a pure form of
glucosamine sulfate (not chondroitin, MSM, or glucosamine HCl) can be
used in place of ibuprofen to treat osteoarthritis and/or joint pain.
Those who use this natural product continuously for 4 weeks testify that
their joint pain has been totally remedied! Glucosamine sulfate has
clinically been proven to work better than Ibuprofen and is non-toxic.
Natural alternatives to the damaging effects of synthetic antibiotics
can also be avoided by using a natural antibiotic known as colloidal
silver. Properly formulated colloidal silver (derived from the
mesoprocess rather than the inferior electrolysis process) is superior
to all synthetic antibiotics in its efficacy and non-toxic nature.
Please note that most colloidal silver purchased in stores is an
inferior product to real colloidal silver, it is important that you only
purchase colloidal silver that was made via the "mesoprocess".
One simple habit that can ensure kidney health is to drink purified
water and avoid tap water. Unlike tap water, purified water does not
contain heavy metals that are known to cause kidney damage.
The well-known supplement chromium picolinate should be avoided at all
cost. Chromium picolinate and its derivatives are commonly found in "Sobe"
drinks, diet pills, and sport's supplements. These chromium-based
compounds are not only damaging to the kidney but also have been shown
to cause cancer.
Lastly, to ensure a healthy kidney, we can utilize a properly formulated
dose of alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine. These two natural
products, when used together, have proven time again their ability to
restore and protect the mitochondria of our cells. Healthy mitochondria
of the kidney leads to a healthy and properly functioning kidney. To
date, scientists have boldly stated that healthy mitochondria are the
single most important factor in obtaining maximum longevity.
References:
Klaassen and Watkins. Casarett and Doull's Toxicology. 1999. Mc-Graw
Hill Rhoades and Pflanzer. Human Physiology. 1996. Saunders College
Publishing Stearns, Diane, et al. J Biol Inorg Chem. 2002
Sep;7(7-8):791-8. Stearns, Diane, et al. Mutat Res. 2002 Jan
15;513(1-2):135-42. The New England Journal of Medicine December 20,
2001; 345:1801-1808
About the Author
Shane holds a Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand
industry experience with drug research, design and synthesis. He is
committed to raising health awareness by exposing the shocking and
sometimes-frightening truth behind FDA approved drugs, sports
supplements, and natural medicine. Combined, his unique experience
allows his clients to live naturally healthy for life with natural
medicine! Learn more by visiting
http://www.health-fx.net
NOTE: Please read this article, one of our Ask The Ladies, son's
has just had his second transplant. This is great information for
anyone. |
