Reduced kidney function can improve with lifestyle modification and natural remedies
Reduced kidney function can improve with lifestyle modification, natural medicine, and Rife treatments
Reduced kidney function can lead to kidney failure if not intervened in an early stage. A natural intervention in an early stage can spare your kidneys which then can last as long as you live and you can prevent dialysis.
Are you at risk for chronic kidney disease?
It surprises me that there is not more public awareness about chronic kidney disease. There are so many patients out there that are at risk for chronic kidney disease.
Causes for kidney disease
- Autoimmune disorders: systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Toxic chemicals
- Injury to the kidneys
- Kidney stones and chronic infection
- Problems arterial blood flow the kidneys
- Some pharmaceutical drugs
- Backflow of urine into the kidneys (reflux nephropathy)
- Missed glomerular nephritis
- HIV and Aids
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
Symptoms
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Itching and dry skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
Advanced symptoms
- Abnormally dark or light skin
- Pain in bones
- Dizziness or problems concentrating or thinking.
- Numbness and or swelling in the hands and feet
- Frequent muscle twitching or cramps
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Easy bruising and or blood in the stool
- Excessive thirst all the time
- Hiccups
- Problems with sexual interaction
- Menstrual periods stop
- Shortness of breath
- Insomnia (sleeping problems)
- Vomiting
Call to action
If you suffer from any of the mentioned diseases or have regular symptoms of the above, please ask your doctor for an annual blood test for kidney function. Look after your kidneys, and they will look after you as long as you take care of them. Kidney disease can be prevented, get checked and take action.
Managing kidney disease with lifestyle
Reduce your risk factors:
- Reduce weight if you are overweight
- Reduce salt intake
- Reduce sugar intake
- Reduce Phosphorus intake
- Reduce Potassium intake
- Reduce caffeine intake – one cup a day
- No alcohol – it depletes magnesium and increases epinephrine and norepinephrine e and that leads to an increase in blood pressure
- Follow a low protein diet or become vegan
25 Best foods for patients with kidney disease
- Cauliflower
- Blueberries
- Salmon
- Red grapes
- Egg whites
- Garlic
- Buckwheat (gluten fee)
- Olive oil
- Bulgur
- Cabbage
- Skinless chicken
- Bell peppers
- Onions
- Arugula (cousin of broccoli)
- Macadamia nuts
- Radish
- Turnips
- Pineapples
- Cranberries
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Flaxseeds
- Pomegranates
- Asparagus
- Okra
- Broccoli
10 Foods to Avoid with Kidney Disease
- Processed meat
- Fruit high in potassium: kiwi, bananas, avocado, apricots and oranges
- Dried fruit
- Beans and lentils
- Coke
- Ready prepared meals and fast food
- Fruit juice
- Spinach and Swiss chard
- High salty snacks and refined carbohydrates
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
The importance Glycocalyx in kidney function
What is Glycocalyx
It is a thick outer covering of the plasma membrane. It is composed of strands of sugars and proteins bound together and help cells stay put in an environment with lots of physical stress. A healthy glycocalyx level supports kidney function.
In kidney disease the glycocalyx is damaged. The aim in treating the patient with chronic renal failure is to maintain a healthy glycocalyx functionality. Glycocalyx needs Glutathione
The following foods contain glutathione and is safe for renal patients: asparagus, okra, broccoli, and other sulfur-rich vegetables
Ways to build Glycocalyx
- Omega 3
- Diosmin
- NAC (S-Acetyl Glutathione)
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K2
- EDTA
Supplementation programme for Chronic Renal failure patients
- Omega 3
- Diosmin ((Diovasc)
- NAC (S-Acetyl Glutahione)
- Magnesium Malate and or Magnesium Glycinate (Optimag)
- Vit D
- Vit K
- Glucosamine
- EDTA
- Milk Thistle
- Progast Butyric Acid
Exercise
Aerobics and water aerobics, cycling, swimming, walking, cycling and dancing. Visit the national renal care website: www.nrc.co.za.
Your feet
Always keep your feet warm. Kidneys need heat – also put Curasoles (reflexology for feet) in shoes-phone Lucy: 0845594990 or info@curasoles.com.
Rife treatments
Frequency treatment with a Rife machine can enhance kidney function. For more info:
pieter@innovationintruments.co.za
FOODS TO AVOID AND SUBSTITUTES
- REFINED CARBOHYDRATES/WHEAT OR SUGAR
This means no white flour, no white or brown sugar and no food or drinks containing these:
NO:
Bread Puddings Jellies Molasses
Pasta Scones Ice-cream Sucrose
Pizza Tarts Soft drink Glucose
Biscuits Sweets Canned fruits
Cake Chocolates
Honey Pastries Jams Golden syrup
White flour Semolina Gluten flour
Substitutes:
- Gluten free bread
- Gluten-free pasta
- Stevia, Carob, Sucralose, Xylitol
- Rice cakes/Corn cakes
- Rice flour, Potato flour and Corn flour
- Caring candies sweets if needed
- Brown rice
- Maize meal
- Maltabella
- Hummus
- Millet
- Buckwheat
- Corn
- DAIRY PRODUCTS
NO:
- Milk (cows)
- Yellow cheese
- Mature cheese
- Blue veined cheese
- Cheese spreads
- Sweetened, fruit-flavoured yoghurt
Substitutes:
Limit yourself to skim / low-fat lactose free dairy products, white cheeses e.g. Feta Cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, mozzarella and Bulgarian yoghurt containing live cultures (Camphill and Bonnita are the best, containing high quantities of live cultures). Rice milk, almond milk and quinoa milk.
MEAL PLANNER
| DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 |
| BREAKFAST
Berries with gluten free Muesli with yoghurt (recipe 1) Rooibos/herbal tea |
BREAKFAST
Berries 2 Slices gluten free bread with scrambled egg and tomato Rooibos/herbal tea |
BREAKFAST
Berries Maltabella with rice milk Rooibos/herbal tea |
BREAKFAST
Berries Tuna hash (recipe 2) Rooibos/herbal tea |
| LUNCH
2 slices gluten free bread with tuna salad Rooibos/herbal tea |
LUNCH
Salad with salmon fish cakes (recipe 5) Rooibos/herbal tea |
LUNCH
Broccoli soup with gluten free bread (recipe 6) Rooibos/herbal tea |
LUNCH
2 slices gluten free bread with cottage cheese Rooibos/herbal tea |
| DINNER
2 Chicken breasts fried in olive oil with grilled vegetables |
DINNER
Grilled fish with vegetables |
DINNER
Tomato and tuna topping (recipe# 9) with gluten free pasta |
DINNER
Grilled sole with vegetables |
| DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | |
| BREAKFAST
Mediterranean breakfast (recipe 3) Rooibos/herbal tea |
BREAKFAST
Scrambled Tofu (recipe 4) Rooibos/herbal tea |
BREAKFAST
Puffed brown rice with rice milk Rooibos/herbal tea |
|
| LUNCH
Tuna salad with mayonnaise (recipe 7) Rooibos/herbal tea |
LUNCH
2 Slices of gluten free bread chicken liver pate (recipe 8) Rooibos/herbal tea |
LUNCH
Chicken with 3 vegetables Rooibos/herbal tea |
|
| DINNER
Chicken kebabs – recipe 10 with brown rice and salad |
DINNER
Aubergine quiche (recipe 11) with baked potatoes |
DINNER
Pancakes (recipe 12) with French cream (recipe 13) |
Recipe 1
MUESLI BASE
Rice flakes with seeds
Try adding a handful of any seeds you fancy – sunflower, sesame, pumpkin or linseeds. Keep it in an airtight container.
Recipe 2
TUNA HASH
1 tbsp unrefined olive oil
1 cold potato chopped
1 small tin tuna in brine
1 tomato, chopped
Heat oil and lightly fry potato. Add tuna and tomato, heat through and serve.
Recipe 3
MEDITERRANEAN BREAKFAST
1 tomato
chunk of cucumber
chunk of cabbage
1 Egg white
1 tbsp pumpkin seed
1 tbsp sunflower seed
1 tbsp unrefined sunflower oil
Finely chop tomato, cucumber, cabbage. Toss together with seeds and oil
Recipe 4
SCRAMBLED TOFU
½ packet (about 150 g) tofu
1 tomato chopped
freshly ground black pepper
optional: pinch of Lo-salt
toasted gluten free bread
Mash tofu with the tomato and add seasoning. Spread over toast and grill for 2 – 3 minutes
Recipe 5
SALMON FISH CAKES
400 g tin pink or red salmon
Gluten free oats for binding
3 large potatoes, cooked but still firm then mashed well
freshly grated nutmeg
Rice flour or maizena
Mix together the flaked salmon, oats and nutmeg. Shape into small round cakes and cover with rice flour. Grill for a few minutes on each side, till slightly brown and heated through.
Recipe 6
Broccoli soup
Broccoli
Maizena
900 ml water
herbs to season
freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp rice milk
Chop vegetables, cover with water and bring to boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. This can be served as it is or put through a blender. Just before serving, stir in the rice milk.
Recipe 7
MAYONNAISE
1 yolk
2 tbsp lemon juice
300 ml sunflower oil or mixed sunflower and olive oils, unrefined pinch mustard powder
freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp boiling water
Optional: 5 tbsp of either chopped fresh tarragon or chives.
Beat the yolk and lemon juice, using whisk or blender, till creamy. If using herbs, stir in now.) Add the oil very gradually, beating continuously. Add the seasonings and lastly beat in the boiling water. Chill.
Recipe 8
CHICKEN LIVER PATE
2 large onions
2 tbsp unrefined olive oil
225 g chicken livers
2 tsp dried mixed herbs
2tbsp tomato puree
1-2 tbsp rice milk to blend
Finely chop onions and soften in the oil over a low heat. Clean and chop the livers, add to onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring well. Reduce heat and add herbs, cover pan and cook gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liver is completely cooked. Place in blender with tomato pure and mix to a smooth paste. Add a little rice milk if mixture is to stiff to blend. Put into a small dish and allow to cool.
Recipe 9
TOMATO AND TUNA TOPPING
1 tsp tomato puree
150 ml water
1 small chopped onion
1 small tin tuna in brine (drained)
pinch of oregano
Mix tomato puree with the water, add onion and cook over low heat for a few minutes until onion is soft. Flake the tuna and add it with oregano to the pan. Cook until heated through and liquid has reduced a little.
Recipe 10
CHICKEN KEBABS
600 ml natural yoghurt
1 clove garlic, crushed
juice of 1 lemon
freshly ground black pepper
500 g chicken cut into cubes
2 medium onions
1 green pepper
1 red or yellow pepper
225 g cherry tomatoes
4 metal kebab skewers
Make a marinade from the yoghurt, garlic, lemon and seasoning. Soak the meat cubes in it for 2-3 hours. Prepare the vegetables by slicing the onions downwards and cutting the washed peppers into 8 sections each, removing all the seed. Wash the cherry tomatoes. Thread everything onto the skewers, alternating cubes of meat with pieces of onion, pepper and tomatoes, ending with a tomato. Brush all over with the marinade and cook under a hot grill for 15 – 20 minutes, turning several times.
Recipe 11
AUBERGINE QUICHE
half an aubergine, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp cold-pressed olive oil
3 egg white, beaten
300 ml rice milk
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Lightly fry the aubergine and onion in the oil and put into flan dish. Mix the eggs with the rice milk and pour onto the vegetables. Bake for 45 minutes, reducing heat to 160 degrees for the last 30 minutes.
Recipe 12
PANCAKES
100 g buckwheat flour
1 egg
300 ml rice milk
4 tbsp cold filtered water
unrefined olive oil
Sieve the flour into a bowl and make a well in the centre. Lightly heat the egg then pour into the well. With a fork, gradually mix the flour into the egg, and continue mixing while adding the soya milk. When thoroughly mixed, add a small knob of butter or a few drops of oil. As soon as the fat is hot, add 2 tbsp of the batter, tipping the pan about to ensure that the batter covers the base of the pan. Cook until set then turn with a fish slice (or toss it) and lightly brown the other side. Slide onto a warm plate. Melt another knob of butter or oil before cooking the next pancake. You can make pancakes in advance, stack them on a flat plate and wrap in a clean tea towel, then put in the refrigerator. Then next day you can unwrap them into a deep casserole dish with a lid, and heat through in a warm oven.
Recipe 13
FRENCH CREAM
450 Bulgarian yoghurt
4 drops natural vanilla essence
2 egg white
Stir the vanilla essence into the yoghurt. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then gradually fold both into the yoghurt. Chill.
For more info
Cape Kidney Association: www.capekidney.org.
References
- Fogarty DG, Tall MW. A stepped approach to the management of chronic kidney disease. In: Taal MW, Chertow GM, Marsden PA et al. eds. Brenner and Rector’s The Kidney. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011: chap 61.
- Tonelli M, Pannu N, Manns B. Oral phosphate binders in patients with kidney failure. N Engl J Med. 2010; 362:1312-1324.
- Abboud H, Henrich WL. Clinical practice. Stage IV chronic kidney disease. N Engl J Med. 2010; 362:56-65.
- Upadhyay A, Earley A, Haynes SM, Uhlig K. Systematic review: blood pressure target in chronic kidney disease and proteinuria as an effect modifier. Ann Intern Med. 2011; 154:541-548.
- KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline and Clinical Practice Recommendations for anemia in chronic kidney disease: 2007 update of hemoglobin target. Am J Kidney Dis. 2007; 50:471-530.
- KDOQI; National Kidney Foundation II. Clinical practice guidelines and clinical practice recommendations for anemia in chronic kidney disease in adults. Am J Kidney Dis. 2006;47(5 Suppl 3): S16-S85.
- Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI). K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines on hypertension and antihypertensive agents in chronic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis. 2004; 43(5 Suppl 1): S1-S290.
