Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Kidney Health Part 4 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Dialysis I wanted to talk about dialysis because in my experience it is one of the topics that people have the most questions about. If you can recall in part 1 of kidney health, I talked …
Kidney Health Part 3 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In this blog on kidney health, I will be reviewing polycystic kidney disease (PKD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and even kidney failure. The reason I have for putting these 3 disorders in one blog is that …
Kidneys Part 2
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In the first part of our discussion on kidney health we reviewed basic information such as what the kidneys do for us and tests that can measure our kidney health. (1) In this blog we will review the things that can go wrong with our kidney health. So, without further ado let’s get into it, shall we?
What are the most common complications that can occur when it comes to our kidney health? Well one of the most well-known complications is the development of kidney stones. Kidney stones are exactly what they sound like, solid masses or rocks that form in the kidneys. These stones are much more common than you might expect. In fact, approximately 1 in 10 people will have a kidney stone sometime in their lifetime. But just what are these stones made of? There are 4 types of stones, and the type is determined by what they are made up of. Calcium-oxalate and calcium phosphate form from a high oxalate or low calcium diet especially when you are not drinking enough water. These are the most common forms of stones. Uric acid stones can form from animal proteins which can increase uric acid. Struvite stones are associated with bacterial infections. Lastly cysteine stones form when you have an inherited condition that makes you form them. One of the most common reasons that kidney stones form in general is NOT drinking enough water. Having a family history of kidney stones also can increase your risk. Diet-wise eating a diet high in meat/ protein, salt and sugar can increase your risk. Taking high dose vitamin C and even certain medications can be a risk factor for stones. Having certain medical conditions or having any stomach/intestinal surgery can also increase the risk for stones. Lastly, having a blockage in your kidney can lead to the development of stones.
When you have kidney stones you may experience nausea/vomiting and fever/ chills. You may feel an urge to urinate but be unable to or if you do urinate there may be pain. Your urine may be bloody, cloudy, or foul smelling. Smaller stones will have fewer symptoms. (2)
Another common complication is the occurrence of kidney infections. Approximately 1 in 2000 people get a kidney infection every year in the US. Risk factors for kidney infections include anything that keeps the urine in the urinary tract and allows bacteria to grow and back up into the kidneys. For example, pressure on the bladder during pregnancy, uterine prolapse, enlarged prostate and even kidney stones. If you have vesicoureteral reflux, it increases the risk of an infection. Certain conditions such as diabetes can increase your risk. The symptoms are the same as listed for kidney stones. (3)
You can also develop kidney cancer. Each year more than 62,000 Americans are diagnosed with kidney cancer. Kidney cancer is approximately 3.7% of all cancers in the US. Risk factors include a family history, radiation therapy, gene mutations and even long-term dialysis. Obesity and high blood pressure are also risk factors. Smoking is another risk factor. Certain genetic disorders can also increase the risk of cancer. In addition to the symptoms of kidney stones you may have a lump in your kidney area. You may also feel fatigue, an overall feeling of not feeling well, flank or bone pain and even have a loss of appetite and weight loss. You may develop high blood pressure. Lastly you may become anemic. (4)
Another condition you may have heard of is the development of kidney cysts. These are small, fluid filled or solid pouches that form on the kidneys. (5) I will talk more about these when I review polycystic kidney disease in my next blog.
Other conditions that can affect the kidney include diabetes related nephropathy or hypertensive nephropathy. There is also proteinuria and uremia. (1) While there are other conditions that can affect the kidney I wanted to focus on these since they are the most frequently asked about.
Our next blog will be talking about Polycystic kidney disease, chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. For some supplements that are helpful for both the liver and kidneys look at my blog Liver and Kidney intermission. It talks about such supplements as NAC, L Carnosine, Milk Thistle and even Resveratrol!
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PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~JOY by: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT “The best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one’s hand and ask: ‘Does this spark joy?’ If it does, keep it. …
Kidney Health Part 1 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND No conversation about the liver would be complete without talking about the kidneys since one of the functions of the kidneys is to help remove waste from our body. Now I understand that kidney health can be …
Prozyme Digest
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
As a Naturopathic doctor I find myself often recommending that people use a probiotic and a digestive enzyme. These each have many benefits for our health. That is why I have chosen to highlight a product that contains both! This product is Prozyme Digest. This is a fantastic formula because not only are you getting the benefits of two supplements in one it is a chewable tablet. But just why do probiotics and digestive enzymes are so important? Let us get into it, shall we?
Let us talk about the probiotic blend first. Prozyme Digest contains 14 billion CFUs and is a combination of 6 different strains of beneficial bacteria. Studies have found many benefits to using probiotics. In fact, studies have found that using a probiotic can help reduce symptoms of both Chrons disease and Ulcerative colitis (these are both forms of IBD). (1) Studies have also found that using a probiotic can improve quality of life in those with IBS. (2) Studies have also found that in addition to helping with diarrhea probiotics may increase the number of bowel movements in those who suffer infrequent bowel movements and thus help with constipation in the long run .(3) If you can recall in my blog on the gallbladder I mentioned that rapid weight loss is a risk factor for gallstones. That means that in those who undergo bariatric surgery gallstones are a real concern. In one study, after 6 months of using probiotics the risk of gall stone formation was reduced after bariatric surgery. (4) What other potential benefits to probiotics are there? Well studies have found that using a probiotic can help with seasonal allergies. (5) One interesting study found that in children born to mothers who used probiotics there were less allergies experienced. (6)
Studies have also found that using a probiotic can help to reduce the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. For example, probiotics led to reduced abdominal obesity. (7) Another study that they can help to improve insulin resistance. (8) Something intriguing is that probiotics, when added to a protocol for high blood pressure were able to help reduce the blood pressure numbers. (9) Lastly, probiotics have been shown to help our immune system fight off “different types of bad guys” that cause us to feel sick such as when you have a viral infection. (10) Overall probiotics pack a punch when it comes to our health. I could go on even longer talking about their benefits and still not get everything they do! But I have covered what I think are their most important benefits.
But let us not forget, in addition to the probiotic formula, Prozyme Digest contains a complete digestive enzyme blend. So, let us get into it. Studies have found that using digestive enzymes can help to reduce the risk of gallstones. (4) Studies have also found that digestive enzymes are effective at reducing bloating and even gas. (11). Other studies have found that in addition to helping with gas digestive enzymes can improve overall digestion and even reduce abdominal pain. (12) Digestive enzymes might help digestive symptoms such as gas in those with both IBS and IBD. (13) Lastly studies have found enormous potential for digestive enzymes helping digestion in those with certain malabsorption disorders such as lactose intolerance and Cystic fibrosis. (14)
As you can see, both probiotics and digestive enzymes have amazing benefits. Having both in one chewable tablet makes for an overall fantastic easy to use supplement!
Our next blog topic will focus on the kidneys and dialysis.
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