Confused because it goes against everything you have read and have been told? Don’t be, there is good reason, and I’ll do my best to explain…

The purpose of this article: to dispel the mis-conceptions around lowering potassium in kidney disease; detail simple easy to follow steps on how to lower potassium levels naturally through diet and other techniques; to educate you on all things potassium, so the next time you are in front of your doctor you can keep up, and maybe even teach him or her a thing or two.

What Is Potassium And Why Do I Need It?

If you are new to this blog, it is important to know that before I start to get too deep into subject matter, I like first to bring it back a little so I can discuss the fundamentals. This gives you a good frame work to understand some of the principles that I talk about, and allows you to make better judgment calls when I, or your doctor, says something. This allows you to be in control of your health. The way it should be, yes?

What is potassium?
• Potassium at its most basic level is a soft silvery-white metal (mineral), sharing a very similar chemical structure to sodium. Behind only to calcium and phosphorus, it is the most abundant of all the minerals totalling 225 grams of your body weight – that’s the weight of the palm of your hand.
• Potassium is also known as an ‘electrolyte’, due to its ability to be electrically conductive. An important feature in the human body, considering you and I are a network of electrical pulses.
• Potassium naturally occurs in nature, and is found present in many foods (see further on for a list of foods).
• Potassium is 19th on the periodic table (K is the chemical symbol for Potassium in Latin)
• Fact: 1/3 of the body’s total energy is required to hold the location of potassium and sodium in and around our cells.
• Note: Normal serum potassium levels are: 3.5 and 5.5 mEq/L (reference range)

Why do I need it?
Our body depends on this mineral for its survival… no potassium, no humans. Amazingly through our evolution we have utilized the earth from which we have sprung to carry out and allow certain functions to occur in the body. You may have heard that potassium is good for the heart, good for muscle contractions, and therefore good for lowering blood pressure, and even that it is beneficial in nerve conduction. All of which are true, but there is so much more that this mineral does for you.

Here is a list of other health benefits and actions of Potassium:
• Regulates pH balance
• Helps to thin the blood
• Maintains water/fluid balance
• Eye health
• Increases secretion of hormones: ADH, FSH and aldosterone
• Regulates blood sugar
• Aids protein synthesis
• Regulates cell permeability
• Acts as a capacitor within our cells to store energy

Want more proof of the necessity of potassium? Here is a list of symptoms that occur due to potassium deficiency.

Symptoms of Potassium Deficiency:
• Kidney damage – yup, weren’t expecting that were you?
• Lung problems
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Thirst
• Death
• Tachycardia
• Fatigue
• Mental confusion
• Metabolic acidosis
• Bone fragility
• Joint and bone pain
• Edema
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Abnormal heart beat
• Paralysis
• Muscle weakness

As you can see potassium=good.

The Dilemma: High Potassium Levels In Kidney Disease

Ordinarily the body can absorb, assimilate, and utilise potassium til its heart’s content, and then when finished, excrete this life giving mineral out via the urine. Easy.

However when you have chronic kidney disease, this can POSSIBLY change. For a lot of kidney disease sufferers, just like the myriad of other substances the body could once excrete via the kidneys and urine (creatinine, uric acid, and metabolic wastes), potassium cannot move across the filtering membrane within the kidneys nephrons, and cross over into the urine collection “funnels” (renal pelvis) that eventually lead to the bladder.

And because of this inability to “cross-over” and be eliminated, the potassium levels increase within the blood and open the body up to many health problems.

Adverse Effects Caused By High Potassium Levels:

• Paralysis
• Renal necrosis
• Heart arrhythmia
• Diarrhoea
• Convulsions
• Depression
• Mental confusion
• Tingling
• Kidney failure
• Dehydration
• Adrenal exhaustion
• Weakness
• Fever
But this is not always the case. In fact a LOT of kidney disease patients have normal potassium levels.

Which leads me to this…

Why You Possibly Do Not Need To Listen To Your Doctors

Therefore the most important you can do for yourself when treating this condition is to become aware, listen to your body, and track and monitor your blood work like you were a doctor. This is ONLY way you will know who to listen to.

All too often I find doctors are advising their clients incorrectly, and potassium is one of the most common. It has become a ‘throw away’ prescription: “You have kidney? Oh, then you must avoid potassium and go on a low potassium diet.”

But this is so not true as you have seen. You only need to reduce potassium levels if you have high potassium levels. Remember potassium is important, so eat potassium foods freely until your blood work says otherwise.

How Do I Reduce High Potassium Levels In My Blood?

OK, you have waited long enough, you have high potassium levels and you want to know what to do about it.

Firstly it is all about eating the right amount of potassium. You cannot completely avoid potassium, nor that you want to, so it is a good idea to know the guidelines on eating the correct amount of potassium for your stage of kidney disease; in other words, eat a low potassium diet.

Typically the recommended daily allowance for potassium in a healthy individual is 2 to 5 grams a day (some institutions state 4.7 grams a day).In kidney disease this changes depending on your stage of kidney disease…

Low Potassium Diet: Potassium Recommendations
• Kidney Disease Stages 1 to 2 (eGFR of 60 to 90+): 2 to 5g a day
• Kidney Disease Stages 3 to 4 (eGFR of 20 to 60): 2 to 4g a day
• Kidney Disease Stages 4 to 5 (eGFR of 5 to 20): No more than 2 to 2.5g a day

Remember the above is only a rough guide, so if you have very high levels and you are in only stage 1 or 2 kidney disease then it is prudent to eat a low potassium diet to match your blood potassium levels.

What is a safe level of potassium in my blood?
A better way to eat a low potassium diet is in accordance with your blood potassium levels.

Potassium Reference Range
• Low Range: less than 3.5 mEq/L
• Safe range: 3.5 – 5.5 mEq/L
• Unsafe range: 5.6 – 6.0 mEq/L
• Dangerous: more than 6.0 mEq/L

Normal serum potassium levels are 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L (though some labs quote a reference range of 3.5 to 5.0), and so if you are slightly over that, try eating no more than 4 grams a day of potassium. If it is at a level of say, 6.0 to 7.0, you definitely not be eating more than 2 grams a day until your high potassium levels have been corrected.

Although this can be a challenge, eating a low potassium diet is probably the easiest, and single most important way to reduce blood potassium levels – so it is definitely worth the effort.

Potassium Content Food List – Low Potassium Diet

Below is a list of common foods that have been organised under ‘low potassium’ or ‘high potassium’. This is just a quick a quick guide and therefore does not contain all foods, nor does it contain the amount of potassium contained within each food. For a more in-depth food list, plus the amount amount of potassium contained within, please refer to the end of this article for your Free Potassium Food List to download.

Why Avoiding Fruits and Vegetables Maybe The End Of You

After glancing over the above list of foods, it would seem very logical to decide that fruits and vegetables need to be avoided for your health to improve, heck even your doctor has probably told you this enough. But I can assure you this is madness. But not only that, it is this belief that is keeping you from getting well!

OK so hear me out… Fruit and vegetables are healthiest foods available, packed with healing vitamins and minerals; we all know this, ask any kid. *Potassium aside* So why would you ever dream of cutting these foods out altogether, and live off empty foods, such as rice, pasta, breads (empty foods= non nutrient dense foods)?

“Phytonutrients in specific plant foods are some of the most powerful biological response modifiers scientists have yet discovered.” (Jeffrey Bland Ph.D.) Phytonutrients can be defined as plant derived nutrients.”

And secondly fruits and vegetables are also chock-full of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients can be defined as: chemical compounds such as isoflavones that occur naturally in plants. Plants produce these substances for various reasons, including, structure, chemical messengers, protection from harmful organisms or insects or even attracting pollinating insects. Once eaten by humans though, these substances take on a new role. Using isoflavones as an example, isoflavones can balance the female hormonal system and protect them from breast cancer.

Convinced yet? No? How about the people have cured themselves from kidney disease using juicing alone! (Albeit rarely)

Great I have got your attention! My point with all this is this: eat a well balanced diet using healthy foods, do not forgo foods that are high in potassium, most of these are the very foods that calp heal you and reverse your condition. Just make sure when you do eat them, that you factor the potassium content in for the day. Great!

11 More Quick Tips To Reduce Potassium Levels

1. Consult your naturopath, dietician, or doctor, and get them to do all the hard work and get them to devise a plan for you.

2. Speak to your doctor about your current medications. Certain medications can increase serum potassium levels, for example: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and potassium sparing diuretics.

3. Keep a food diary for 8 weeks; keep note and monitor your daily intake of potassium. By the end of 8 weeks (or sooner) you will know what to eat without this aid, and have a sense of freedom as you live day by day.

4. Fresh is best, but when you are using canned fruits and vegetables always drain the liquid.

5. Avoid salt substitutes as they commonly use potassium salt (potassium chloride) as an alternative.

6. Read food labels. Especially ‘low salt’ or ‘low sodium’ packaged foods, these foods also use potassium chloride as a salt substitute. Look on labels for symbols listed as KCl, K+ or potassium and avoid these foods.

7. Be aware of portion sizes when consulting potassium content food lists. When a food is listed as a low sodium food, ask yourself “what serving size is this for?”. Don’t eat a pound of something, when it is listed as an ounce.

8. When eating high potassium, leach out the potassium first. Leaching is a technique that removes some of the potassium. For detailed instruction on how to do this, refer to this page: http://www.kidneycoach.com/356/potassium-leaching-study-shows-not-all-leaching-methods-work/

9. Treat underlying conditions: it is all to easy to get obessesed out reducing potassium from the diet, without looking at the bigger picture… what caused your potassium to rise in the first place? You have high potassium levels because your kidneys are not functioning properly, therefore it is wise to treat your kidneys first.

10. Exercise regularly: exercising regularly helps reduce excess potassium levels in the blood. The mechanism is that through act of sweating potassium is lost through the skin. Exercise a minimum of 3 times a week, at 30 minutes each time. Build up a sweat, and shed that potassium.

11. Completely avoid dairy: not only is dairy high in potassium, but it is also harmful to your kidneys. That includes dairy from milk, cheese, yoghurt, cream, ice-cream, spreads, dressings, etc. Note: it is also high in phosphorus – another problematic mineral for a lot of kidney disease patients.

In more serious cases however, you will need to employ the helping hand of natural therapies to bring your potassium levels down.

Natural Remedies To Lower Potassium Levels

1. Magnesium: magnesium works by balancing the potassium levels in the blood.
2. Garlic: reduces the absorption of potassium via the digestive tract.
3. Calcium: reduces the absorption of potassium via the digestive tract. Caution: Do not use if you have high calcium levels, get tested first.
4. Note: Licorice is an excellent herb to lower potassium levels (maybe the best), but it comes with its own problems. Firstly licorice is contraindicated in kidney disease for periods exceeding 4 weeks, and licorice also has the potential to increase blood pressure. Do not use this herb unless under the guidance of a health professional.

Summary

Remember potassium is important for your survival, but like most things, too much can cause problems. The trick is to get your potassium consumption matched up with your blood potassium levels, to still eat a balanced diet, to have regular blood tests, and to monitor, monitor, monitor your potassium intake for the day. Here is a fantastic KidneyDiet app for your iPhone to do just that.

I hope this article answers all your potassium questions, but most importantly dispels a lot of the mis-conceptions around potassium and its relationship to kidney disease.

I would love to hear your comments or questions, so don’t be shy please scroll down and let me hear from you! I would REALLY appreciate it.

Oh and don’t forget, I have put together a Potassium Food Content Chart for you to download, it is there make your journey a whole lot easier! So please scroll down, follow the instructions on how to download your food chart, and enjoy.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post on high potassium levels!

See you next time.

To your amazing health,
Duncan

How To Download the Free Potassium Food Content Chart
Step 1. LIKE, Share, Twitter, or Stumble this article. You don’t have to, but I would appreciate it.
Step 2. Right Click the following, and select Save As to download: Click Here to Download Your Free Potassium Food Content Chart

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This article is a continuation of my previous article entitled The Ultimate A to Z Guide to Chronic Renal Failure (Part 1), in this article I continue where I left off and detail letters N through to Z. Enjoy…

N is for Natural Treatments
Ahhh my favourite topic! I LOVE natural medicines; there is something about working with the power of nature that really gets me really excited! (I’m a little weird I know)

There is a full gamut of natural remedies and techniques, such as herbal medicine, nutrition, diet, homeopathics, flower essences, and a whole lot more, that have for many of my clients, improved kidney function, reversed kidney disease, and safe-guarded from further chronic renal failure.

I have been using natural medicines now for over 10 years, and through that time I have learnt a thing or two, the best discovery was that by using certain natural medicines I was able to affect change in the health of my client’s kidneys and lives!

Side Note: This all started when my wife’s nanna was diagnosed kidney disease four years ago, and we had to find a solution. She was at stage three, bordering on stage 4, and well, thankfully today she does not have chronic renal failure any longer.

The important thing to note is this. If you have been recently diagnosed (or had chronic renal failure for many years for that matter) please know that there is an alternative out there that your doctor wouldn’t have discussed. You don’t have to put up with “There is nothing we can do… When your kidneys get bad enough, your options are dialysis and transplantation…”

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” ~Author Unknown

If you would like to find out more of the exact program I use to help thousands of people world-wide improve their kidney health, please check out my site here.

O is for Om (Meditation)
Ommmmmmmm….

Meditating is any technique which enables us to relax our body and our mind, and to free our mind of unnecessary thoughts. Eastern civilizations have been practicing this for thousands of years; just “knowing” that it improves the health of the mind, body and soul. They often practiced to achieve certain outcomes e.g. rejuvenation of the mind and nervous system, to let go of disease-causing thought patterns, muscular relaxation and self-development.

Chronic renal failure responds dramatically to the practice of meditation, and for this reason it is recommended to become part of your daily or weekly routine.

Today studies now prove what the ancients already knew, showing the following physiological changes:

• Slower heart rate
• Slower breathing rate
• Lowered cortisol levels in the blood
• Increased alpha brain waves, a brain wave associated with relaxation
• Among many other physiological changes

P is for Protein & Phosphorus
Protein: Another important nutrient one must monitor its consumption of, is Protein. Protein is a misunderstood nutrient when it comes to chronic renal failure, as in some situation one needs to reduce protein, and in others it needs to be increased. What to do? Well, first up you need to speak to your naturopath, nutritionist or doctor for the best requirements for your condition. They will be able to tell you exactly your protein needs based on your stage of chronic renal failure.

For a complete breakdown of the levels of protein you need to be consuming for your stage of kidney disease please see my in-depth article: The Definitive Guide on Protein and Kidney Disease

Phosphorus: The kidneys regulate the mineral phosphorus in the blood stream, and for that reason when one has chronic renal failure this ability can become impaired, causing phosphorus levels to rise. Phosphorus at “healthy” levels helps build strong teeth and bones (among many other benefits), but when levels become high, phosphorus can the opposite effect, by leaching out calcium from the teeth and bones. This “leeched” calcium also makes its way to the blood stream causing abnormal calcium deposits, and too much phosphorus can cause itchy skin, bone pain, heart issues, or even death.

The important thing to note is that not all sufferers of chronic renal failure will develop high phosphate levels, and therefore you need to always confirm your levels with a blood test.

To know the recommended phosphorus daily allowance for stage of kidney disease, please see this article.

Q is for Qi Gong
Qigong is another practice that I recommend for those suffering with chronic renal failure, for it is rejuvenating qualities for the body and mind; which is oh so necessary for individuals with chronic renal failure.

What is Qigong? Qigong is the practice of aligning the breath, body, and mind as one, and harnessing and working with the vital force (Chi) that exists within and all around us. Through this, a deeper connection to yourself and life is established and greater awareness and peace is achieved. Although Qigong is not as well known as Tai Chi, Qigong and Tai Chi share a similar philosophy, technique, and origin. In fact many people mistake Qigong for Tai Chi when practiced.

In my blog post 10 Ways To Improve Kidney Function Without Leaving Home I talk more in depth about the benefits of Qigong in chronic renal failure, and provide a video showing how enhance your kidney energy through Qigong.

R is for Rest & Relaxation
Stress, in my opinion, is the number one cause of disease in the western world. Smoking and poor dietary choices come close, but from my experience, stress is by far a bigger killer.

The groundbreaking work of Dr. Bruce Lipton in his book “The Biology of Belief” show-cases this sentiment perfectly – It shows that genes and DNA do not control our biology; that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our positive and negative thoughts.

Consequently, when one is stressed, a whole cascade of inflammatory molecules are produced in response to that stress (among many other disease causing physiological responses); which is important to avoid when suffering from chronic renal failure.

Rest and relaxation should become a ritual within your day. It is needs to be prioritised. Are you thinking of working that extra day? Don’t. Are you taking a proper lunch break? Do. Are you doing the things you love daily? Please do.

My best tip to achieve rejuvenating rest and relaxation is to choose activities that cause time to stop. When you are lost in the moment, you are doing it right.

Possible activities could be: reading, writing, painting, sleeping , playing an instrument, walking, etc.

S is for Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of chronic renal failure can vary greatly, therefore many individuals go undiagnosed before it is too late. Know the signs and symptoms of chronic renal failure and be better prepared for any changes in your condition.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Changes In Urination
• Fatigue
• Itching
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Shortness of Breath/Difficulty Breathing
• Easy Bleeding and Bruising
• Back Pain / Kidney Pain
• Swelling or Puffiness
• High Blood Pressure
• Anemia
• Hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels)
• Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels)
• Hypernatraemia (high blood sodium levels)
• Hyperparathyroidism (high blood parathyroid hormone levels)
• Hyperphosphatemia (high blood phosphate levels)
• Hyponatraemia (low blood sodium levels)
• High Creatinine Levels

I have written two great articles here on renal failure symptoms (if I don’t mind saying so myself), you can find them here for your convenience:

• Renal Failure Symptoms? Know For Sure If You Have Renal Failure
• Kidney Disease Symptoms: The Top Ten Guide (and more…)

T is for Transplant
When one has completely lost all function of the kidneys (as in chronic renal failure), there are currently two main medical options to choose from: 1. Dialysis 2. Kidney Transplant.

Although an invasive and intensive treatment, the overwhelming majority of recipients are joyous to have a new lease on life without the need of routine dialysis treatments. In many respects transplantation is the preferred treatment for chronic renal failure out of the two (due to the freedom that it brings), but unfortunately the wait list to be a nominated recipient can be at times a distressing experience – long wait times, and the possibility that may never actually receive a donor kidney.

There is no “better” option out of the two, the choice between dialysis and a kidney transplant is purely an individual one. One needs to thoroughly way up the pros and cons for both treatments – in terms of health and lifestyle impact – and come to a decision on your own. Listen to yourself first, and specialists, doctors, and naturopaths second. This is your life, your body, and you need to be completely happy with your decision in this moment.

U is for Urinary Tract Infections
This is an important condition to aware of, as UTI’s can pose a risk of furthering the severity of chronic renal failure. It is always best to treat at the first sign of urinary tract infections before they have a chance at travelling to the kidneys. And although UTI’s do not commonly find their way to the kidneys, it always best to err on the safe side. I recommend following natural treatments first, as anti-biotics can cause chronic renal failure in some individuals. Thankfully I have a written an article detailing the best methods to eliminate urinary tract infections naturally, check it out here.

V is for Vitamin D
Like many nutrients in kidney disease, vitamin D is an important vitamin that needs to be routinely assessed to ensure lasting health, and protect you for any complications.

Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of bone health, the immune system, and the phosphorus and calcium balance, among many other functions. But most importantly, because the most active form of vitamin D is produced by the kidneys, it is essential that during chronic renal failure that vitamin D levels are assessed and maintained – it is a common occurrence that those with chronic renal failure have low circulating vitamin D levels.

Here are the optimal blood levels for vitamin D:

Optimal reference range for healthy individuals:
- US measurement: 50 to 70 ng/mL
- World measurement: 125 to 175 nmol/L

Optimal reference range for treating heart disease, cancer, and chronic renal failure:
- US measurement:70 to 80 ng/mL
- World measurement: 175 to 200 nmol/L

Please read my article on vitamin D’s relationship with Hyperparathyroidism and Kidney Disease here.

And please read my article: 10 Ways To Improve Kidney Function Without Leaving Home, as it talks about sunshine and the benefits of vitamin D for kidney disease (Tip #2).

W is for Weights
Weight training (aka resistance training) is one of the best forms of exercise for the health of your body, especially during chronic renal failure. Studies now show that there is a direct correlation between the amount of lean muscle mass one has, and the length of one’s life (increased correlation).

By increasing your lean muscle mass; you also increase your body’s ability to produce more energy. Little “energy centres” called “mitochondria” live inside the cells of your muscles, and produce the majority of energy you use on a day-to-day basis. Technically these power centres produce what is known as ATP.

If you are not a fan of using weights as a form of exercise, then you may like to do other activities that can give you similar benefits by using your body as the “weight”; Yoga and Pilates are excellent examples of this.

Overall just get moving! If you don’t like the suggestions above then at least do form of exercise, it will be better than nothing.

“You don’t have to take exercise seriously, just regularly”

On tip #4 of this article, I talk more about the benefits of exercise for chronic renal failure: http://www.kidneycoach.com/901/kidney-function-how-to-improve-naturally/

Y is for Yoga
I can’t say enough about Yoga, Yoga is probably one the most well-formed health ‘practices’ in the world today, as it affects every aspect of your being in the most amazing way. The literal translation of Yoga is “union” and “harmony”, union and harmony of body, mind and soul. The practice of Yoga integrates one’s body, mind and soul to achieve optimum health and wellbeing. You see, Yoga is a whole lot more than just physical stretching, as thought by western culture. Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. And many believe it to be the oldest system of personal development in the world.

On a physical level, the practicing of Yoga (postures, breathing, and mediation) tones and improves muscle flexibility, purifies the blood, regulates blood pressure, regulates the nervous system, releases energy blocks, improves circulation, lymphatic flow, joints, nervous system and therefore results in improved health for all of the organs of the body. On a mental level practicing yoga helps one gain greater mental awareness of their own body and content of mind. Therefore one of the benefits would be, being able to recognise why and where we create tension in our body and life.

X is for eXcitement
Yeah , yeah, I know, I cheated…

Excitement, fun, joy, happiness! You know what? I can’t think of a better treatment for chronic renal failure. One needs these things in our lives, otherwise, what is the point of living? Seriously, it may be harsh, put what’s the point of getting up in the morning if you have nothing to live for?

By having something to live for, it will make implementing all the changes needed to get you well again a breeze. Plus it will make for a fuller and richer life experience.

So don’t be afraid, get out there a try new things. Create a top 20 “love” list: write down anything thing that you would “love” to do, big or small, and smart checking them off as you go. It could be reading that book you’ve wanted to forever, to travelling Europe, to learning how to play a musical instrument. You’ll be amazed at the self-confidence and self-esteem this exercise does for you. But remember write down only “loves” not “likes”.

Z is for Zzzzzzz
Rounding it all up at Z we have Sleep! (Pheeewww, I made it! And I think I may need some sleep after writing this!)

For the health of your kidneys and aiding in the recovery from chronic renal failure, it is essential that you have adequate amounts of sleep. Sleep duration is a very personal thing, and so the typical 8 hours a night may be too much or too little for you. A good test is that you feel refreshed in the morning upon waking.

If you would like to know more about the benefits of sleep in chronic renal failure, or if you have problems getting to and staying a sleep, then you better read my article here: Top 10 Tips On How To Get A Deep, Restful Sleep

Hooray! You made it all the way down to the end of this article, thank you for taking the time to read it (and congratulations! ). I hope that it provided you with some real “gems”, and I hope you will look upon this as a resource to hold you in good stead for the future.

If by chance you cheated (:-) and scrolled to the bottom… Back Up! Please make sure you read through this article as it contains a stack of information on the most important aspects in relation to chronic renal failure, and if by chance you missed the first part to the article you can view it here.

And don’t forget, if you have enjoyed this article, please click the “LIKE” button below to show your support!

Asparagus is most well known for its specific action on all of the urinary system (kidneys and bladder), the most well known being:

1.      Helps support and facilitate kidney function

2.      Increases urine production (diuretic)

3.      Soothing to the urinary system

4.      Anti-edema – especially with excess fluid from around the heart

5.      Kidney and bladder cleanser

6.      Boosts cellular action in the kidneys

7.      Breaks up uric acid – therefore excellent for gout and kidney stones

*Best avoided in conditions where the kidneys are chronically inflamed (e.g. nephritis), and not to be eaten in excess.

Others actions include: Lowers blood pressure (due to diuretic action), bitter (stimulates digestion), laxative (due to fiber), blood purifier, anti-rheumatic (removes uric acid), anti-parasitic, calming, promotes fertility, beneficial for all aspects of the female reproductive system (highly beneficial for men too).

The magic of this humble plant comes down to many naturally occurring chemicals; unlike western medicine that just singles out one chemical:

• Asparagin
• Asparagosdies
• Asparagusic acid
• Bitter principles: officinalisins
• Flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, kaempferol)
• Glycolic acid
• Glycosides
• Saponins
• Tyrosin
• Including: Vitamin A, B, C, E, folic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, iodine, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, silicon

You see the beauty of natural medicine is all in the synergism of all the chemicals in the plant, nature has been running its own “clinical trials” for the past few billion years, and has come up with the best combination of chemicals to help those that walk the earth. And the beautiful part is that once ingested, the body gets to choose which natural chemicals it needs – as opposed to being forced in one direction (i.e. western drugs). Check out this video called The Orderly Chaos of Nature for more information on how plants give man ‘selective’ therapeutic qualities.

Another important factor that this plant “brings to the table” (pardon the pun), is that it is highly alkaline. Now if you have read any of my stuff before you’ll know just how important it is to alkalise your body when you have kidney disease (any other chronic condition for that matter). Asparagus does this so well that it is even used in some cancer therapies just for that! It’s the high ammonia content that is working that here.

It’s Not All Happy Days

Surprisingly, and a question that I often get in relation to, asparagus contains high amounts of potassium and phosphorus. Now most of you will have already been told by your doctor that potassium, phosphorus, protein, and sodium all need to be reduced when suffering from kidney disease. This is because in some individuals the kidneys struggle to eliminate them. The important part to emphasise here is that only some people have this problem… How do you know if you are one of those people? Well, when you have your next blood test, ask your doctor if your potassium and phosphorus levels are in the normal range. If they are in the normal range you may consume them without much restriction, and if they are high… you may in fact still consume them. Confused?

I am not surprised if you are. You see just because you have a condition that requires certain nutrients to be limited (key word being ‘limited’), does not mean you need to avoid all foods that contain a moderate or high level of these minerals.

Everything In Moderation

We all know that a healthy diet is the key to your health. So could you imagine your health if all you did was eat low nutrient dense foods – Breads, pasta, sugar foods, biscuits, etc? In fact maybe that’s what contributed to your health in the first place?

Could you imagine what your health would be like is you instead ate a broad range of fruits, vegetables, whole foods, nuts, seeds, whole grains, etc., though watched your total intake of potassium, phosphorus, protein and sodium for the day?

I am guessing you would be 1000X better in health and vitality. And the reason is simple, for all the reasons to watch your intake, there are 100 more reasons of why you should be having them. You need to use common sense, and a large helping of moderation.

Take Banana’s for example… you would have probably been told these are enemy number one for kidney problems due to their potassium levels, but did you know they are actually beneficial for the kidneys too?

It’s Easy With Tools

Don’t let fear replace common sense: have a well balance diet, but make sure you track your intake of potassium, phosphorus, protein, and sodium. Here is a great tool to help you on your way: http://nutritiondata.self.com/

Simply enter in the food item, and it will tell you exactly what nutrient, and at what levels, are found within each food. Have fun!

To wrap up, the best way to make Asparagus a part of your day is to cook up some asparagus, blend them to a puree, and store in a sealed container within the fridge (store for no longer than 4-5 days, otherwise the puree will go off). Each day take 4 full tablespoons, twice a day for therapeutic benefit – fresh is ALWAYS best, though you may use canned asparagus when short for time. You may also dilute this is a little bit of water to reduce the intensity. And of course you may alternatively eat whole asparagus as part of a meal.

Bye for now, and create a great day!

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Here is a tasty recipe to keep you living the kidney health lifestyle. Healthy food doesn’t have to be boring food, oh sir re Bob!

Let’s get straight into it today shall we?

Curried Lentil Stew
This simple lentil recipe is a staple in many vegetarian households—not only is it full of flavour, it’s easy to make! If curry doesn’t appeal to you, substitute any spice mix you like.

Ingredients
• 1/4 cup (65 mL) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (21 mL) curry powder
• 2 teaspoons (mL) ginger powder
• 4 cups (1 L) vegetable broth
• 2 cups (500 mL) lentils, rinsed
• 3 cups (750 mL) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) plain organic yogurt

Directions
1. Warm the olive oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat.
2. Sauté onion until golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Add curry powder and ginger powder and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
4. Add 4 cups (1 L) broth and lentils and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until lentils are fully cooked, 35-40 minutes.
5. Add tomatoes and season to taste with yogurt, salt, and pepper. Serve.

Serves 6

Those with high potassium blood levels might like to leach the potassium from the vegetables first. Check out my previous blog post here: potassium leaching

Upgrade Suggestions: Add diced carrots, squash, and green pepper to the lentils during the cooking process to make a lentil and vegetable stew (or any ‘in-season vegetables in your area). Experiment with different curry powders to find the one you like best—there are hundreds out there!

So there you have it folks, one delicious and wholesome stew for tonight’s dinner. Enjoy.

I hoped you really liked this recipe, if so please leave your comments below! Or, why not leave your own delicious recipe for everybody else to enjoy?

If you would like further help with diet and recipe tips, why not check out my premier ebook program The Kidney Disease Solution?

One of the best ways to manage your potassium levels is to limit the amount of foods that contain high amounts of potassium. As you will see this is easier said than done! This is because most of the ‘healthy’ foods contain high amounts of potassium: fruit, vegetables, and nuts. So what to do? Well you may have heard that there is a technique called potassium leaching; potassium leaching is a simple method used to ‘leach’ out some, or the majority, of potassium.

Here is a typical method for leaching potassium from vegetables:

• Peel the vegetable, cut into small pieces and place in a very large pot of water.
• Rinse the vegetables thoroughly.
• Fill a pot of water and place the vegetables within to soak for a minimum of four hours at room temperature (or you can let them soak overnight in the refrigerator).
• After soaking, rinse the vegetables with fresh water.
• Cook vegetables as desired.

Ordinarily this method works a treat, but what some of you may not know is that this method will not work for all vegetables. Damn! … But don’t worry I have come across a solution

Jerrilynn D. Burrowes, PhD, RD & Nicholas J. Ramer, PhD conducted a study to measure the amount of potassium loss in tuberous root vegetables using different methods. The tuberous root vegetables used in the study were: fresh and sweet batata, cocomalanga, dasheen, eddo, black yam, white yam, yellow yam, yampi, malanga, red yautia, white yautia, and yuca. These are not the most common vegetables in the world, but they chose these because of their high fibrous density. Why? Well if you can reduce the potassium in these vegetables, then the same techniques will apply to the softer more porous vegetables.

Five experiential environments were created using varying soak times and cooking methods, and they analysed the potassium levels of each vegetable using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (= fancy technical term), and the residue of dried vegetables.

Results
The results were very interesting – what Burrowes & Ramer discovered was that the traditional and most common method of leaching potassium from vegetables wasn’t worth your time at all! There was virtually no difference between soaking these vegetables and not soaking them. What they did find out which is of interest, is that double cooking (double boiling) is the only sure way to reduce potassium levels significantly in most vegetables. One round of boiling helps, but the clear winner was the double cooking method.

So what does this mean for you? Start double cooking!

Here is the NEW method for leaching vegetables:

• Peel the vegetable, slice into small pieces (roughly 3mm width).
• Wash the vegetables thoroughly, and rinse.
• Fill a pot of water and place the vegetables within to boil (2:1 ratio / water:vegetables).
• Bring to the boil, and then drain water off.
• Fill pot again with water (2:1 ratio), and boil until soft, but integrity is retained.
• And you’re done!

So to summarise:

• You can’t beat the double cooking method; it is simply the most effective potassium leaching method to date.
• Not all kidney disease patients need to watch their potassium levels, so check with your doctor.



The secret to its staggering ability to treat pretty much “whatever ails ya”, is the ability of this vitamin to be both water soluble and fat soluble, plus, have the ability to ‘renew and recycle’ other antioxidants. You see first of all, vitamins are either water soluble (e.g. Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, and C) or fat soluble (e.g. Vitamin A, D, E, and K), which limits the vitamins effectiveness in certain areas of the body – depending whether it is a water or fat environment. Lipoic acid therefore has the ability to cross over wherever the body needs it, including the blood/brain barrier! Secondly, lipoic acid has the capability turn ‘used’ antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin E and C) into ‘available’ antioxidants for the body to use again – in other words, giving them a second life.

Here are just a few of its facts:

• Only known antioxidant that that is both water and fat soluble
• Clinical studies have shown lipoic acid to be kidney protective
• Significantly reduces symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
• Improves insulin sensitivity – improves blood sugar control
• Increases immune function – by increasing T lymphocyte production
• Improves energy production – via the ATP pathways
• Supports the elimination of heavy metals – increased chelation (=binding) of heavy metals in the liver
• Supports mitochondrial function – the energy power houses found mainly within the muscles
• Food sources: broccoli, brewer’s yeast, brussels sprouts, rice bran, egg yolk, spinach, potatoes, and animal liver, heart, and kidneys (though requires supplementation for therapeutic effects)

Now before you race off to purchase some, there is just one matter to make sure you have right before you do, and that is making sure you buy the correct type. You see there are three different forms of lipoic acid, and the differences are quite dramatic.

• Choice 1 – R-Lipoic Acid: this is the best form, because it is the naturally occurring form of lipoic acid
• Choice 2 – Alpha Lipoic Acid: this is the second best form, because it contains a 50:50 blend of the naturally occurring form (R-Lipoic Acid) and the synthetic form (S-Lipoic Acid)
• Choice 3 – S-Lipoic Acid: This is the least effective form, containing only the synthetic variety

So Which One to Buy?

Well it is always best to get the most natural and most active form – studies have shown that the naturally occurring form is 50% more active – though for treatment purposes I have found the blend still very effective. With quality, of course, comes an increased of price, though you need to weigh that up yourself with the benefit of it having more therapeutic value. Again I myself use both (choice 1 & choice 2). I would avoid straight S-Lipoic Acid however, even though it still has some therapeutic value. Please check the labels before purchasing, and also note, that the majority of all clinical trials done on lipoic acid have used 50:50 blend (choice 2).

Dosage

It is always wise when taking any supplementation to consult your health professional beforehand. For example, diabetics on insulin need to be monitored, as lipoic acid can reduce blood sugar levels quickly. Even though this is great, it still needs to be monitored with regular blood glucose checks.

Therapeutic Dosage Range

1. R-form: 200-600mg a day
2. Blend: 400-600mg a day
3. S-form: 400-800mg a day

So in closing, you could say this is the perfect nutrient for those with kidney disease/failure caused by diabetes, cardiovascular problems, immune dysfunction, and heavy metals… which statistically accounts for the majority kidney disease sufferers. However, even if your kidney disease is caused by another factor, make sure you lipoic acid becomes your new best friend, as the benefits are amazing!

Zinc is an “essential trace element” because tiny quantities of zinc are required for human health. However, it only second to iron (as a mineral) in the total amount present in the body. Zinc is one of the most under-rated minerals in the body (calcium and vitamin C get all the lime light it seems lately) as it is involved in over 200 biochemical processes in the body, and is a powerful antioxidant. Only out done by magnesium which is involved in over 300. Zinc is found in all bodily tissues and therefore lends it self healing many conditions, such as: colds and flus, cuts and wounds, alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes, acne, AIDS, dandruff, psoriasis, stretch marks, hearing loss, coeliac disease, ulcerative colitis, hair loss, depression, fertility, and on and on it goes… oh, and of course kidney disease.

The chemotherapy drug used in the study was Cisplatin, a seriously toxic drug in anyones language which has a history of causing nephrotoxicity (=kidney toxicity).

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of zinc picolinate on cisplatin-induced kidney damage. The study used 28 rats, divided into four groups consisting of 7 rats each: Group 1. control, group 2. zinc picolinate, group 3. cisplatin, and group 4. cisplatin plus zinc picolinate.

The fantastic news for you is that results were a clear illustration of the benfits of zinc. Zinc was shown to significantly reduce urea-N, creatinine, malondialdehyde, 8-isoprostane, and tumor necrosis factor-α -α levels (the last three are inflammatory and oxidative stress markers). In each case the zinc group outperformed the non zinc group. Group 2 outperformed group 1, and group 4 outperformed group 3.

The study came to the conclusion (from the positive evidence) that zinc picolinate  clearly decreases the oxidative stress and inflammation in cisplatin-induced kidney damage, and lowers other kidney disease factors such as creatinine and urea. It also important to note that they used a high dose of zinc, administered via injection for 10 days (6mg per kg body weight).

Zinc has no known side-effects within the normal dosage range (10-100mg a day) and is an inexpensive treatment, especially compared to the costs of kidney dialysis or kidney replacement. This method is a fantastic way to heal the kidneys and improve your nutritional status. All the while reducing the need and burden of higher funded treatments such as dialysis.

So get out there, start enjoying some zinc rich foods: Shelllfish, fish, oysters, popcorn, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, walnuts, almonds, muesli, dhal, wheat germ, tomato sauce and paste (I think some of those foods would make a good spaghetti marinana, don’t you think?). And don’t forget to supplement, eating those foods alone will not provide you enough zinc for the desired benefits.

Wouldn’t you love to access your fridge at home, like a mechanic accesses his toolbox, to heal yourself as he would ‘heal’ his car? Sounds impossible right? Well it’s not.

Through today’s research a lot of the old anecdotes are now confirmed if not exceeded in their validity.  We all heard the sayings “Eat your vegetables they will make grow big and strong” or even “It’ll put hair on your chest!”  (Though that latter one I still have my doubts on).

Through scientific research they have confirmed certain foods are in fact higher, pound for pound, in their nutritional and phytochemical content, thus making them ‘SuperFoods’ (or foods that give you more bang for your buck).

What are phytochemicals? Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds that plants produce to protect themselves (against bacteria, viruses and fungi), improve their structure or even act as chemical messengers within the plant. Once eaten by humans however, they (phytochemicals) take on a new role turning into some of the most potent health enhancing substances known to man.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”
(Hippocrates –AKA: ‘the father of medicine’ 460BC – 370BC)

So where to start and what are the best Superfoods?
In the media there seems to be more and more foods being labelled ‘SuperFoods’ in a bid to cash in on this new catch term, unfortunately this is causing confusion within the public. So I have selected my best of the best, to get you kicked started quickly to optimum wellness. To begin your journey to optimum wellness it only takes one serve a day from the selection of SuperFoods below. Add more if you desire, though rotation is the key.

So here is my magnificent 11 superfoods list:

1. Turmeric: Anti-oxidant, brain health, digestive health, anti-inflammatory, liver tonic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial
2. Garlic: Anti-microbial, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, assists weight loss, digestive health, anti-carcinogenic
3. Cinnamon: Blood sugar lowering, digestive tonic, anti-microbial
4. Blueberries: Anti-oxidant, assists weight loss, anti-carcinogenic, diabetic protective, vision health
5. Quinoa: High (complete) protein grain, low allergenic, low GI, high fibre
6. Walnuts: healthy heart & brain, high in EFA’s
7. Flaxseeds: kidney health, healthy heart, joints & skin, anti-inflammatory, high in Omega 3’s
8. Red Grapes: Anti-oxidant, antiaging, heart health, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic
9. Broccoli: Liver detoxifier, anti-carcinogenic
10. Green Tea: are fantastic anti-oxidant, helps weight loss & anti-carcinogenic
11. Salmon: Anti-inflammatory, healthy heart, joints & brain, protein rich

Other notable mentions include: Maca (Peruvian vegetable), Noni juice, Pomegranates, Rooibos Tea, Goji Berries, Spirulina, & Avocados.

You won’t find vitamin enriched Cereals (or the like) in the SuperFood group, every SuperFood is a ‘whole’ (unprocessed) food.

Bringing it all together…
No food is ‘Super’ on its own, so you can’t get away with one ‘SuperFood’ in your diet and all the rest garbage (I know, I am sorry it doesn’t work like that), it involves a balanced diet as well.
All the principles of a healthy diet apply. Though by adding these “bad boys” (from the superfoods list) to the mix, unlimited health can be yours.

Duncan Capicchiano