Summer Break

Summer Time is here! If you are a Sherman Newbie - this means more time to work for your money or a chance to rest your brain...perhaps at the beach???

If you're taking Clinic Courses, you may be spending more time in the Health Center than by the pool, but the HC is closed on Tuesdays and Fridays, so that even the hard working students and staff get a break.

On one of our recent friday morning exercise sessions over at Spring Arbor assisted living facility, I was asked about kidney stones. It dawned on me that I only really had a knowledge of what they are and how they come to be. I decided to check into some of the alternative ...aka Healthy and Natural ways to remedy this condition.

Here's what I found:

The formation of stones in the kidneys is the result of defects in the general metabolism. They usually occur when the urine becomes highly concentrated due to heavy perspiration or insufficient intake of fluids.

The other causes are a wrong diet, excess intake of acid-forming foods, white flour and sugar products, meat, tea, coffee, condiments and spices, rich foods, and overeating.

Lack of vitamin A, excessive intake of vitamin D

Lack of vitamin A and an excessive intake of vitamin D may also lead to formation of stones.

                                    *avoid milk

Intake of calcium and phosphates should be restricted

For controlling the formation of calcium phosphate stones, the intake of calcium and phosphates should be restricted. Foods which should be avoided are wholewheat flour,

Bengal

gram, peas, soyabean, beet, spinach, cauliflower, turnips, carrots, almonds, and coconuts.

When stones are composed of calcium, magnesium phosphates, and carbonates, the diet should be so regulated as to maintain an acidic urine.

On the other hand, the urine should be kept alkaline if oxalate and uric acid stones are being formed. In the latter case, fruits and vegetables should be liberally used, and acid-forming foods should be kept to the minimum necessary for satisfactory nutrition. In case of uric stones, foods with a high purine content such as sweet breads, liver, and kidney should be avoided.

A patient with kidney stones should avoid foods, which irritate the kidneys, to control acidity or alkalinity of the urine. You should also ensure adequate intake of fluids to prevent the urine from becoming concentrated.

CUT OUT:

Red Meats

nuts

Milk

Acidic Juices and fruits

Alcohol

Coffee –ouch! this one is going to be missed

Tea

Sugars

White Flour                               

certain vegetables like cucumber, radish, tomato, spinach, rhubarb; those with a strong aroma such as asparagus, onion, beans, cabbage, and cauliflower

Kidney Stones treatment using Basil

Basil has a strengthening effect on the kidneys. In case of kidney stones, one teaspoon each of basil juice and honey should be taken daily for six months. It has been found that stones can be expelled from the urinary tract by this treatment.

Kidney Stones treatment using Celery

Celery is a valuable food for those who are prone to getting stones in the kidneys or gall-bladder. Its regular intake prevents future stone formation.

Kidney Stones treatment using Apple

Apples are useful in kidney stones. In countries where the natural unsweetened cider is a common beverage, cases of stones or calculus are practically absent. The ripe fresh fruit is, however, more valuable.

Kidney Stones treatment using Grapes

Grapes have an exceptional diuretic value on account of their high contents of water and potassium salt. The value of this fruit in kidney troubles is enhanced by its low albumin and sodium chloride content. It is an excellent cure for kidney stones.

Kidney Stones treatment using Watermelon

Watermelon contains the highest concentration of water amongst all fruits. It is also rich in potassium salts. It is one of the safest and best diuretics which can be used with beneficial result in kidney stones.

Kidney Stones treatment using Vitamin B 6

Research has shown the remarkable therapeutic success of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine in the treatment of kidney Stones. A daily therapeutic does of 100 to 150 mg of vitamin B6, preferably, combined with other B complex vitamins, should be continued for several months for getting a permanent cure.

Eat More :

   

Mushrooms – Shitake is particularly full of B complex Vitamins. (you won’t miss red meat if you learn to cook these.)

Melon – watermelon, and

Cantaloupe (high in Vitamin A)

Avocados – very high in B Vitamins

Celery

Green Leafy Vegetables

Fish – broiled or baked (not fried)

Make sure to drink lots of water.