Abnormalities in a person’s kidney and spleen energy can be the cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) according to Eastern Medicine philosophies. From a nutritional perspective, there are many healthy food recommendations that a licensed dietitian can recommend for those concerned about CKD, high creatinine levels or proteinuria (excess of serum proteins in the urine) – all of which can be signs of kidney dysfunction. This article provides the Eastern Medicine perspective along with good nutrition and lifestyle recommendations.
Organ Energy & Eastern Medicine
The way your kidneys function and overall kidney health can be related to kidney and spleen energy in the following ways:
1. Kidney energy is believed to control the kidney, fluid balance, heart function, cellular energy, cellular detoxification and elimination of toxins. Kidney energy is vital to cellular elimination, detoxification of toxins through the kidney, and to cellular uptake of nutrients, immune defense and cellular vitality. Abnormal kidney energy is also implicated in changes of blood pressure and diabetes, which are two important causes of CKD.
2. Nutrition, absorption, allergies, autoimmunity and detoxification are controlled by spleen energy. Chemicals and pollution often adversely affect Spleen Energy, so it’s not surprising that there is an ever increasing occurrence of allergies, autoimmune disease and nutritional deficiencies in our population. Spleen energy is also involved the initial processing of toxins by the liver, Phase I liver detoxification. Anxiety and worry in particular, as well as other emotions, can also weaken spleen energy.
Though kidney disease can be caused by toxicity, autoimmune disease and viral infections, kidney disease is most often the result of hypertension and diabetes. The National Institute of Health states that, “Millions of Americans are at risk of developing CKD because they have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both”. Since these conditions are so prevalent in our society, it makes it even more important for those concerned with kidney dysfunctions such as high createinine, proteinuria, CKD, kidney disease, glomerulonephritis or diabetic nephropathy to naturally support and balance kidney and spleen energies.
The Role of Nutrition in Kidney Health
We truly are what we eat. Your body’s ability to reverse disease can be supported by putting better nutrients into your system. The more natural and fresher the food, the more nutritional value it has. Processed and packaged food contains potentially harmful preservatives, added chemicals, and loses more nutritional value through cooking.
You can prevent or delay health problems from chronic kidney disease (CKD) by eating the right foods and avoiding foods high in phosphorus, potassium, and sodium according to the National Institute of Health. Healthy sources of protein like chicken, turkey, small fish, tofu, etc. and fresh food, especially fruits and vegetables, I always recommend for my patients dealing with energy or health issues. However, the progression of chronic kidney disease can be increased by eating too much protein, burdening the kidneys and leading to problems such as proteinuria. The importance of moderation cannot be overstated. Generally, the three worst categories I caution my patients about consuming, are foods that contain refined sugars, grains and dairy, all of which can increase inflammation, sugar imbalances and autoimmune disease.
Lifestyle Affects Organ Energy
Spleen energy responds to lifestyle changes. Drinking plenty of fluids, exercising, a healthy diet and adequate sleep make a big difference along with stress management, especially decreasing how much you worry. When you think about it logically, worrying never really resolves anything and really just adds to your stress level. It’s a habit that many of us have sorry to say.
There are several foods that are particularly good, such as seafood and fish, for kidney energy. I advocate my patients moderate their consumption of larger fish such as tuna, swordfish, etc. because of the increasing levels of mercury, arsenic and other heavy metals in seafood. As for salt, I usually recommend using only natural sources of salt (like sea salt) in moderation to stimulate kidney energy. The recommended quantity of salt varies depending on diet, sex, and health factors.
Fear and insecurity are things we’re all subject to these days, the controlling of which is the biggest factor for maintaining healthy kidney energy.
In many ways stress reduction techniques are beneficial. Exercise can be both energizing and relaxing. The problem with imbalances and deficiencies of energy – whether they are related to diet, lack of exercise or negative emotions – is that they result in decreased function of organs like the kidneys.
Naturally Enhancing Organ Energy
Much of what we do in natural medicine attempts to improve the energy in organs and cells. There are many combinations of herbs and nutrients I use to enhance both kidney and spleen energy as well as kidney function, such as the herbs contained in Get Well Natural’s Kidney Well II, Phyto Antioxidant, Cardio Well and Metabo Well products. Other kidney and spleen herbal tonics are also suportive of healthy function as are enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, CoEnzyme Q10, minerals and essential fatty acids.
In Western Medicine, we often examine and treat organ disorders without an interest or awareness of all the organs and factors that may interact with the diseased organ.For example, when Western doctors evaluate kidney disease the digestive function is rarely considered.
Eastern Medicine is particularly good at identifying and treating the underlying cause of chronic disease which is one of the things I appreciate most about Eastern Medicine. Eastern Medicine does this by looking at a person’s organ balance or imbalance, lifestyle, environment, diet, etc.
I implement this integrative philosophy by advising my patients to look at factors such as stress levels, exercise, diet, digestion and detoxification, for ultimate kidney health and as a means to enhance their kidney function.
If you have any questions regarding the use of dietary herbal supplements to support your health call Get Well Natural at 1-888-522-HERB (4372)
*Statements in this article have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
by Dr. Graeme Shaw MD
© 2009 Get Well Natural, LLC
Resources:
1.http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/NutritionEarlyCKD
2.http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/NutritionLateCKD, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
