Author: Alex Thompson
Kidney cleanse: Does it work, 2-day plan, and risks
Brown seaweed has been studied for its beneficial effects on the pancreas, kidneys, and liver. The adult human body is composed of almost 60 percent water. Every single organ, from the brain to the liver, requires water to function. The kidneys are two small, bean-shaped organs located beneath a person’s ribcage on either side of their spine. Please consult a physician for specific treatment recommendations.
While a kidney cleanse may appeal to you, proceed carefully. “So if one can control these, that’ll reduce the risk of kidney diseases,” Goldfarb says. So it is not surprising that many of us think avoiding milk or a diet rich in calcium will help prevent painful kidney stones from forming. However, it is not excess calcium that can get us in trouble, but the lack of it.
But the two bean-shaped, fist-sized kidneys sitting at the base of the rib cage are fascinating, multitasking organs. They are at work all day long removing waste, stimulating red blood cell production and keeping the body’s balance of salts, acids and bases in check. If you have a history of kidney problems, talk with your healthcare provider before trying a kidney cleanse.
To learn more about recovering from alcoholism or how to clean out your liver and kidneys, reach out to the experienced medical staff at United Recovery Project. We offer a wide range of services starting from Drug and Alcohol treatment, Intensive outpatient and sober living, drug and alcohol detox and also alumni program among others. If you are wondering how to clean your liver fast, a detox can be a quick solution. However, one 3-day detox will not remedy the body from prolonged alcohol abuse.
What Is a Kidney Cleanse?
Milk thistle removes toxins from the liver and rebuilds damaged liver cells. They filter waste from your blood, regulate the balance of water and minerals in your body and produce hormones. Guzzling down large quantities of alcohol, like anything else, can be harmful, says Sparks. Drinking alcohol can also make people dehydrated because it makes the body lose more fluid via pee than we normally would.
- People with a history of kidney stones may want to avoid foods rich in oxalic acid (oxalates), such as chocolate, sweet potatoes, spinach, and almond and cashew nuts.
- Start by adding healthy habits to your day, such as taking early morning walks, reading, visiting with a neighbor drinking an extra glass of water.
- Urine is the primary waste product that allows the body to get rid of unwanted or unnecessary substances.
- Talk with your healthcare provider if you want to take a truly natural approach to improve your kidney health.
- Try a packet of dried, seasoned seaweed the next time you’re craving a crunchy snack.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, regular heavy drinking can double the risk of chronic kidney disease. The risk is even higher in people who drink heavily and also smoke. By improving your diet and upping your water intake, you can help get your kidneys—and your health—back on track. In general, a kidney detox diet will include plenty of healthy foods, water, tea, and juices. It will also be full of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, nuts, low-fat dairy, healthy fats, and a moderate amount of lean proteins. Your kidneys naturally cleanse your body by filtering waste from your blood.
Exercise is a great way to detox liver and kidneys
Short-term detoxes are good for cleansing the body while coming off of alcohol and working toward a healthier, sober life. Going from life-of-the-party to sober mediator does not happen overnight. Start by adding healthy habits to your day, such as taking early morning walks, reading, visiting with a neighbor drinking an extra glass of water.
“So the advice is to drink a glass of water between every glass of alcohol,” says Langham. In addition, drinking a cup of fresh juice per day can contribute to your daily recommended fluid intake. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to drink, especially if you have a medical condition or take medicines that might be affected by using alcohol. Women, older people, and those with smaller bodies should be especially careful.
These healthy habits will have a domino effect on future healthy habits. When your liver isn’t functioning well, it can impair blood flow to your kidneys. “Liver disease can have significant impacts on the kidneys,” says Dr. Bobart. There’s ultimately no magic cleanse or “flush” when it comes to kidney detoxing, but optimizing your kidney health is important for a number of reasons.
An example 2-day kidney cleanse plan
Research in animals suggests apple cider vinegar shows promise but there’s not yet clear evidence of its health benefits for human kidneys. Old age, smoking cigarettes and obesity puts people at risk too. Keeping an active lifestyle filled with exercise, proper hydration and a healthy diet is important, Sparks adds.
What to know about kidney cleanses
A simple blood test can measure the levels of toxins and waste products in the bloodstream and tell doctors how efficiently the kidneys are working. This sample 2-day kidney cleanse is thought to help strengthen your kidneys and detoxify your body, but there’s no research to support a cleansing action. This plan, however, uses foods to help support kidney health. Apart from a kidney detox, there are steps you can take to promote kidney health.
If you suffer from drug or alcohol addiction , we can provide the help you need.
Cleansing your liver of alcohol is one of the essential steps in recovering from alcoholism, excessive alcohol consumptions or prolonged alcohol abuse. When your kidneys are overworked and not functioning as well, you may retain water, especially in your feet and ankles. When fluid accumulates in these areas, it usually leads to some swelling.
And medications for high blood pressure can be affected by alcohol. More than two drinks a day can increase your chance of having high blood pressure. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking herbs to cleanse your kidneys, especially if you have kidney stones or other urinary tract problems.
How Alcohol Affects Your Kidney Health
So it might be easy to think that alcohol is bad for your kidneys because you’re overworking them. In one study, researchers found that a Blumea balsamifera extract added to calcium oxalate crystals decreased the size of the crystals. This could potentially prevent the formation of kidney stones. Calcium is needed to bind with oxalate to reduce the absorption and excretion of this substance. As the filtration system of the body, the kidneys require water to secrete urine. Urine is the primary waste product that allows the body to get rid of unwanted or unnecessary substances.