Natural Remedies for Chronic Renal Failure

Chronic renal failure (chronic kidney disease) is a serious and ongoing decline of the kidneys. The kidneys are critical to the body's proper function and health because they filter fluids, toxins and wastes from the body. As the kidneys continue to decline, a kidney transplant or dialysis may become necessary. Natural treatment of chronic renal failure includes a diet that is sensitive to the low function of the kidneys, herbs, and charcoal therapy.

If your kidneys are functioning poorly and continuing to decline, you need to be in regular contact with your doctor to monitor your own particular situation. Any suggestions outlined here should only be considered in light of the recommendations of your doctor. Because each individual has different needs and requirements, these suggestions need to be seen as a starting point. Your doctor will be regularly monitoring your blood, kidney function and particular needs.

Additionally, with chronic kidney disease, your body's balance of certain minerals, especially phosphorus and sodium needs to be monitored. Proper balance of nutrients is critical to your body's health, especially to your heart health. Kidney patients usually need to limit their phosphorus and sodium intake, and often their fluid intake to prevent edema and overtaxing the kidneys.

Reduce your Toxin Load

A basic function of the kidneys is to remove toxins from the body. It is easier for your body if you avoid the toxins in the first place than to give your kidneys with the job of removing them.

Eat Organically

Food that is grown organically does not have the chemicals and pesticides that conventionally grown food does. This will be easier on your body. Eating organic food will reduce the stress to your kidneys.

Use Natural Cleaning Products

Your body does absorb chemicals through the skin and lungs. Cleaning products are full of chemicals, some of which will end up in your body, needing to be filtered out. Use vinegar and baking soda for most of your cleaning needs. These are not harmful to your health.  If, for some reason you must use cleaning products with chemicals, wear a mask and use gloves to reduce the toxin load to your body.

Natural Diet for Chronic Renal Failure

If you have dealt with kidney disease for a long time, you have likely seen many lists of foods to eat and avoid.

Do avoid processed foods. Processed foods have more chemicals and less nutrients.

Do avoid fast food. Fast food is highly processed and lacking in nutrients.

If you consume a lot of fast food and processed food, your body will want more food, as it is craving nutrients. People with kidney disease will ideally only eat as much food as they need, since more food will require more work for the kidneys. Make the foods you eat count and avoid empty calorie foods. Your need your foods to nourish your body.

Eating smaller more frequent meals will be easier on your body. If you eat before you get very hungry, you will avoid the stress of eating too much in one meal.

Fats

Use organic coconut oil and organic olive oil for your fats. These high quality oils have healing and nutritious properties. Avoid fried foods as these are harder for the body to process. Friend foods often contain a lot of sodium, which is usually restricted for those with kidney disease.

Proteins

If you have chronic kidney disease, you are likely on a protein restricted diet. This usually means limiting your meat and dairy consumption. Many dairy products, a common source of protein, also contain a lot of phosphorus, which is also usually restricted for those with chronic renal failure.

Grains

While whole grains are usually preferred because they are more nutrient dense, but those with chronic renal failure of often told to avoid whole grains because they have more phosphorus in them. If you are restricted to white flour, chose a high quality flour. For example, King Midas flour is not bromated or bleached, so it would be a better choice than the typical bleached and bromated flours on the market.

Fruits and Vegetables

Berries are usually a good choice for those with kidney disease because they are lower in phosphorus than many other fruits. Apples, peaches and pineapples are good choices as well. Lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, peppers, onions, tomatoes and green beans are low in phosphorus.

Fluids

People with chronic renal disease usually have fluid intake restrictions.Make the fluids you take in count. Avoid soda, as it is a source of empty calories and also often contains phosphorus. Do drink the amount you are allowed each day. Water is needed to flush the kidneys, even if they are not working well.

Charcoal Therapy for Chronic Renal Failure

Activated charcoal has been used successfully for those with chronic renal failure. Activated charcoal does not absorb toxins, rather it adsorbs them. That is, it works through the chemical process of adsorption, where it gathers toxins in a condensed layer on the surface. It is what is used to filter the blood during kidney dialysis. But dialysis is not the only way to make use of charcoal for its benefit to those with chronic renal failure. Activated charcoal powder can be used internally and externally to assist the body in removing toxins.

Activated charcoal can be taken as a powder mixed into water, or taken in tablet or capsule form. Because charcoal powder can be constipating, it should be taken with adequate water and signs of constipation should be watched for.

Charcoal poultices can be used on the kidney area several times a week.

A very low protein diet with internal use of charcoal proved to effectively sustain 9 elderly patients in a trial. In fact, after 10 months, their blood urea levels and creatinine were significantly decreased. In other words, these elderly patients did well without dialysis during the time of a careful diet and charcoal treatment. (See note 1.)

Herbs for Chronic Renal Failure

Marshmallow root and dandelion root are two herbs that can be helpful to those with renal failure. These herbs can be taken in capsules or teas. There are also a number of herbal kidney formulas on the market which contain herbs that are of particular help to the kidneys.

Sunshine and Exercise

Sunshine and exercise are not only good for your body, they are good for your mental state. Take time to get a bit of sunshine and movement each day. Not only will it help your health, it will help your mind, which in the end, helps your health as well!

Do you have chronic renal failure? Have you tried natural remedies to help your condition? We would love to hear from you!

Sources:

Note 1: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20061701