Let's talk about kidneys. I'm sure everyone know and heard about kidneys and each of us has a pair of it and it is important. But, the question is, how well you know your own kidneys and what role do they play in the body, and do you have kidney stones? If yes, why? What are you going to do about it?
Kidney damage or failure, is becoming more and more prevalent. Question is, why? More and more people developed kidney stones. The kidneys truly are the body's 'master chemists'. They not only remove waste products and excess fluids from the body via the urine. but they also maintain a critical balance of salt, potassium and acid. I have to say, not a small feat for such relatively small organs. the kidneys, produce a hormone called EPO, which stimulates the production of red blood cells. Other kidney hormones help regulate blood pressure and calcium metabolism. The kidneys, even synthesize the hormones that control tissue growth. When the kidneys become damaged, other organs suffer as well.
The main responsibility of the kidneys, is to keep the blood pure and healthy and to maintain proper fluid balance in the body. To accomplish this enormously complex feat, the kidneys need to be constantly monitor normal blood volume and filter out the right quantity of urine. There are many interfering factors that could disrupt this mechanism and can congestion in the kidneys. These factors include overstimulation, dehydration, fatigue, overeating, consuming highly processed foods, gallstones, blood pressure disturbances, digestive disorders and prescription of narcotic drugs.
Now, when the kidneys are not able to seperate the necessary amount of urine from the blood, part of the urine keeps circulating around the body, thereby depositing urinary waste products in the blood vessels, joints, tissues and organs. This implies that fluids and waste products are trapped in the body and begin to accumulate. The ultimate result is potentially extreme swelling, symptoms of uremia and kidney failure. Many skin diseases, strong body odor, sweating of the palms and feet, water retention, lymph congestion, abdominal swelling, rapid weight gain ,weakness, high blood pressure and other disorders, are all signs of toxic blood caused, to a large degree. by the presence of obstructive urinary deposits such as sand crystals and stones in the kidneys.
Stones in the kidneys start off as tiny crystals, and can eventually become as large as an egg. And no, I'm not kidding and for whoever developed or had kidney stones surgery before, you will agree with me. Tiny crystals are not able to be detected by x-rays, and since they do not cause pain, they are rarely noticed. Yet, they are big enough to block the flow of liquid through the tiny kidney tubules. Crystals or stones are formed in the kidneys, when the urinary constituents, which are normally in solution, precipitated.
Stones in the kidneys start off as tiny crystals, and can eventually become as large as an egg. And no, I'm not kidding and for whoever developed or had kidney stones surgery before, you will agree with me. Tiny crystals are not able to be detected by x-rays, and since they do not cause pain, they are rarely noticed. Yet, they are big enough to block the flow of liquid through the tiny kidney tubules. Crystals or stones are formed in the kidneys, when the urinary constituents, which are normally in solution, precipitated.
Precipitation results when these particles occur in excessive amounts or when urine becomes too concentrated. The crystalline particles or stones usually have very sharp edges or angles. One released by the kidneys along with the urine, they may cut and wear away the inner surface of the urinary canal during the passage to the urinary bladder. This can cause severe pain in the loins and/or lower back. There may even be blood in the urine, pain running down the legs, numbness in the thigh and difficulty in passing urine.
Most crystals or stones originated in the kidneys, although some may also be formed in the bladder. If a large stone enters one of the two ureters, urinary discharge becomes obstructed. This can lead to serious complications such as kidney infection or failure. Regardless of where in the kidneys the blockage occurs, it restricts their ability to remove and regulate water and chemicals, causing this delicate organs to suffer injury.
Now, let's talk about different types of stones and their effects to the body. The most common solutes involved in the formation of crystals or stones are oxalates, phosphates, urates, uric acid and amino acid cysteine. Different varieties or crystals and stones can be formed from any of these solutes, for various reasons.
Foods and beverages that contain large amount of oxalic acid causes oxalate stones. A cup of regular tea, contains about 20mg of oxalic acid, which is far too much for the kidneys to excrete. Initially, the body uses calcium to neutralize the acid. By doing so, the oxalic acid turns the calcium to calcium oxalic. If tea drinking becomes a drinking habit, any excessive amount of calcium oxalic will be deposited in the kidneys in the form of tiny crystals.
Most crystals or stones originated in the kidneys, although some may also be formed in the bladder. If a large stone enters one of the two ureters, urinary discharge becomes obstructed. This can lead to serious complications such as kidney infection or failure. Regardless of where in the kidneys the blockage occurs, it restricts their ability to remove and regulate water and chemicals, causing this delicate organs to suffer injury.
Now, let's talk about different types of stones and their effects to the body. The most common solutes involved in the formation of crystals or stones are oxalates, phosphates, urates, uric acid and amino acid cysteine. Different varieties or crystals and stones can be formed from any of these solutes, for various reasons.
Foods and beverages that contain large amount of oxalic acid causes oxalate stones. A cup of regular tea, contains about 20mg of oxalic acid, which is far too much for the kidneys to excrete. Initially, the body uses calcium to neutralize the acid. By doing so, the oxalic acid turns the calcium to calcium oxalic. If tea drinking becomes a drinking habit, any excessive amount of calcium oxalic will be deposited in the kidneys in the form of tiny crystals.
Uric acid crystals also make up another form of kidney stone. Uric acid is also another waste product that is form from purines and fructose in foods. Some of the foods which is high in purines content are teas, shellfishes, yeast, etc. As for fructose, it is found primarily in fruits, soft drinks, sweetened beverages, processed foods as well as ice creams and sweets.
If the kidneys are unable to remove all the uric acid, its concentration in the blood rises. As a result, the extra uric acid is deposited first in those areas of the body that have the poorest circulation and oxygen supply, that is the toes of the feet or fingers of the hand. These deposits of uric acid and other harmful substances in the toes and fingers can make the joints rigid, stiff and unbending.
Naturally, whenever waste products are stored inside or outside the body, specialized bacteria will also be present to help break them down. Any deposits of uric acid in the body attract certain aerobic bacteria to decompose this waste product into ammonia. If the bacteria feeding on the uric acid crystals invade these waste-saturated tissues in sufficient numbers, inflammation and pain result. Gout and arthritic conditions are the most common symptoms of this involuntary 'cleansing response'. The uric acid crystals in the toes are made from the same material as the uric acid stones in the kidneys.
Naturally, whenever waste products are stored inside or outside the body, specialized bacteria will also be present to help break them down. Any deposits of uric acid in the body attract certain aerobic bacteria to decompose this waste product into ammonia. If the bacteria feeding on the uric acid crystals invade these waste-saturated tissues in sufficient numbers, inflammation and pain result. Gout and arthritic conditions are the most common symptoms of this involuntary 'cleansing response'. The uric acid crystals in the toes are made from the same material as the uric acid stones in the kidneys.
Bear in mind, a similar situation may occur in the heels. Heel spurs are due to deposits of uric acid and various phosphates. The uric acid attracts bacteria, leading to pain, and the phosphates are responsible for causing rigid and hard structures. Swelling or edema around the foot or ankle, caused by poor kidney and adrenal functions, may accompany this condition.
As I've mentioned, the kidneys and adrenal glands regulate water and salt levels throughout the body. If their functions are subdued due to stones in the kidneys, your body may thus be holding water on the feet legs, abdomen, face, arms and organs.
Many kidneys stones are formed as a result of insufficient water intake and the consumption of foods of beverages that have dehydrating effects, including artificial sweeteners, sugar, alcohol, tea, coffee, and soft drinks including sodas. Also, watching too much of TVs and smoking cigarettes has a dehydrating effect on the body and causes the urine to become overly concentrated.
Eating lots of acid-forming foods such as meats, baked goods, candy, sugar and other similar foods, forces the body to release many of its valuable minerals, thereby altering the pH levels of the urine. This not only causes minerals deficiencies in the body, especially in the bones and teeth, but also turns the normally acidic urine filtrate alkaline. In alkaline urine, other substances maybe precipitated, including phosphates.
Phosphate stones are formed, in particular, from eating too many foods that are high in phosphates and low in calcium, such as processed cereals, breads, pasta, as well as soft drinks. To neutralize the highly acidic phosphates, which could easily burn the delicate kidneys, the body leeches extra amount of calcium from bones and teeth and uses whatever magnesium it can obtain from such foods as green vegetables. Bear in mind, it takes over 2 gallons of water to neutralize the acidity of one can of drinking soda or soft drink. So, be kind to your kidneys and substitute clean water rather then soft drinks.
The presence of phosphates generates an acidic environment in the body, which literally dissolves bones, leading to osteoporosis, and shrinkage of the body frame. It also causes tooth destruction, digestive disorders, cancer and other diseases that related to calcium deficiency. A person who eliminates more then 150mg of calcium with his or her urine in 24 hour period, an emergency measure taken by the body to combat excessive acidity, is in the process of dissolving the bones. Some of the calcium combined with the phosphates, forming various calcium phosphates crystals, which can lead to hardening of the arteries and common arthritis.
Please be also aware that excessive sodium chloride(table salt) in the diet, predispose a person to kidney stones. In addition, for every gram of table salt that your body cannot get rid of, your body uses up to 23 times the amount of water to neutralize the salt, which can lead to fluid retention, cellulite, arthritis, gout, and gallstones. This is primarily for whoever regularly dine outside in restaurants or prepared foods such as fast foods which are loaded with table salt. Instead, consume a more nutritious salt such as rock or high quality sea salt for cooking or mixed with water consumption. Till then, stay tuned.
As I've mentioned, the kidneys and adrenal glands regulate water and salt levels throughout the body. If their functions are subdued due to stones in the kidneys, your body may thus be holding water on the feet legs, abdomen, face, arms and organs.
Many kidneys stones are formed as a result of insufficient water intake and the consumption of foods of beverages that have dehydrating effects, including artificial sweeteners, sugar, alcohol, tea, coffee, and soft drinks including sodas. Also, watching too much of TVs and smoking cigarettes has a dehydrating effect on the body and causes the urine to become overly concentrated.
Eating lots of acid-forming foods such as meats, baked goods, candy, sugar and other similar foods, forces the body to release many of its valuable minerals, thereby altering the pH levels of the urine. This not only causes minerals deficiencies in the body, especially in the bones and teeth, but also turns the normally acidic urine filtrate alkaline. In alkaline urine, other substances maybe precipitated, including phosphates.
Phosphate stones are formed, in particular, from eating too many foods that are high in phosphates and low in calcium, such as processed cereals, breads, pasta, as well as soft drinks. To neutralize the highly acidic phosphates, which could easily burn the delicate kidneys, the body leeches extra amount of calcium from bones and teeth and uses whatever magnesium it can obtain from such foods as green vegetables. Bear in mind, it takes over 2 gallons of water to neutralize the acidity of one can of drinking soda or soft drink. So, be kind to your kidneys and substitute clean water rather then soft drinks.
The presence of phosphates generates an acidic environment in the body, which literally dissolves bones, leading to osteoporosis, and shrinkage of the body frame. It also causes tooth destruction, digestive disorders, cancer and other diseases that related to calcium deficiency. A person who eliminates more then 150mg of calcium with his or her urine in 24 hour period, an emergency measure taken by the body to combat excessive acidity, is in the process of dissolving the bones. Some of the calcium combined with the phosphates, forming various calcium phosphates crystals, which can lead to hardening of the arteries and common arthritis.
Please be also aware that excessive sodium chloride(table salt) in the diet, predispose a person to kidney stones. In addition, for every gram of table salt that your body cannot get rid of, your body uses up to 23 times the amount of water to neutralize the salt, which can lead to fluid retention, cellulite, arthritis, gout, and gallstones. This is primarily for whoever regularly dine outside in restaurants or prepared foods such as fast foods which are loaded with table salt. Instead, consume a more nutritious salt such as rock or high quality sea salt for cooking or mixed with water consumption. Till then, stay tuned.
