There are many things we humans take for granted…that is, until there's a problem and suddenly we realize how important that thing is.

Healthy kidneys are one of those things!

Once you understand everything your kidneys do, you realize that you'd darn well better take care of them because it can be a matter of life and death.

Here’s why:

The mighty jobs of your fist-sized organs

Every hour your little fist-sized kidneys filter 18 gallons of your blood--in a year that's enough to fill over 9 built-in swimming pools! 

They pull dangerous wastes and toxins from your blood and make urine to dump them into, to the tune of as many as 7 gallons a day. 

They're smart too--because your blood also contains good things like vitamins, minerals, and glucose.  Your kidneys can tell the difference and they put the good stuff back into circulation.

The right balance

Your kidneys also help regulate your acid/alkaline balance and this is vital. 

Our bodies were designed to have a slightly alkaline blood pH of about 7.3 - 7.4.  But when your pH gets too low and dips toward the acid range, your body literally begins to break down.  Inflammation sets in, and you become the perfect home for sickness and disease. 

This should clarify it for you:  The only time our bodies are supposed to be acidic is upon DEATH, so we can decompose the way Nature intended us to. 

Plus your kidneys also convert vitamin D into a usable form for your body.  Without enough vitamin D you can be facing bone problems, autoimmunity, cancer or heart disease.

Something wrong down there?

Kidney problems can include things like polycystic kidney disease (where cysts form on the kidneys) and impaired kidney function associated with diabetes. 

But far and away the most common kidney problem is kidney stones. 

Many people associate kidney stones with eating too much calcium, but that’s not always true. 

Where the calcium often comes in is when you have too many acid wastes in your bloodstream.  When this happens, your body takes calcium from your bones and dumps it into your blood to neutralize the acid, and eventually, it can accumulate in your kidneys.

In addition, the use of proton pump inhibitors like Nexium for acid reflux has recently been associated with a rise in chronic kidney disease. 

Although you may wonder how an acid reducer can affect your kidneys, it’s really quite simple.  PPIs already have been shown to cause arterial damage--that’s why they’re also associated with increased risk of heart attacks.  Well, if the arteries servicing your kidneys are affected by these drugs, chronic kidney disease may be in your future.

Hello down there…

Your kidneys probably won’t nudge you and say, “Hey, we’re not doing so well here,” but there are signs when something isn’t quite right.

Here are some of the more common symptoms of kidney problems:

• Dry, itchy skin
• Cloudy or strong smelling urine
• Fluid retention in your arms and/or legs
• Dark circles under your eyes
• High blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Very little urine output/urinate infrequently
• A metallic taste in your mouth
• Diabetes
• Low intake of water

Take care of yours!

There are very effective natural measures you can take to help keep your kidneys healthy or help them recover if there is a problem.

Drink enough water.  Eight 8-oz. glasses a day should be your minimum.  Note that water means water and NOT coffee, soda, sports drinks, energy drinks or sweetened beverages.  Don't wait until you're thirsty.  By the time you sense thirst, your body may already be getting seriously dehydrated. 

Stay away from processed and fast foods.  These create lots of acid wastes that your kidneys must filter out of your bloodstream, and eventually, they can get stressed.  Stick to real foods, concentrate on fresh fruits and vegetables and eat a tossed salad every day. 

Engage the power of your gut flora.  The probiotic strains Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis and Lactobacillus acidophilus work together to create an enzyme that helps break down oxalate, which is a compound found in many foods that can bind with calcium to cause kidney stones if it’s allowed to accumulate.  Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula contains all three of these important strains, plus 10 other super strains to help support sharp immune health and sound digestion. 

Curb acid reflux with digestive enzymes.  If you are on PPIs for acid reflux, you are a candidate for chronic kidney disease, period.  Try naturally supporting good digestion and easing heartburn with a full-spectrum enzyme supplement like Digestizol Max.

Treat your kidneys like the gold they are and they will return the favor handsomely!

To your health,