Take charge of your healing journey by being proactive. Proactive means taking the initiative to change your life, leading to better physical, emotional, and mental health. It is about taking responsibility, understanding what works best for you, and creating a plan to make positive changes in your life.
Being in control of your healing journey rather than reactive gives you an edge in creating a healthier lifestyle, which promotes kidney health.
Your kidneys are two small, bean-shaped organs that filter waste and fluids from your body. Although medication treats the symptoms of kidney disease, naturally healing your kidneys is possible. In this article, we will share a holistic approach and lifestyle changes you can make to improve your kidney health. We will also discuss the benefits of these remedies and how they can help you heal your kidneys naturally.
The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.
– Hippocrates
STEP 1: HEALING BEGINS WITH THE PROPER MINDSET
Healing requires more than just physical treatments. To heal, you must be in the right frame of mind and believe you can manifest your desired outcome. You must make sure your thoughts align with the healing process. Your mindset has the power to make or break your healing journey.
When it comes to healing, having an open and positive mindset is essential. A positive attitude will help you stay focused on your mission to improve your kidney function and create an environment where your body can start healing. It’s also important to practice self-care and self-love, as these will help you stay in a positive headspace throughout your journey toward wellness.
By shifting your mindset from worry and defeat to hope, optimism, and resilience, you can take control of your healing journey and ensure that you take every step boldly and with a sense of purpose.
Journaling can be a transformative practice by shifting your mindset from worry and defeat to hope, optimism, and resilience. It empowers you to take control of your healing journey, allowing you to approach each step with determination and a clear sense of purpose. For instance, through journaling, you can identify recurring negative thought patterns and set concrete goals, both of which contribute to a more positive and purpose-driven outlook on your path to healing.
STEP 2: DETOX FROM THE THINGS THAT BURDEN THE KIDNEYS
Detoxing is a critical step in managing your kidney health and wellness. It helps to flush out toxins from the body. Detoxing to heal and improve your kidney function DO NOT consist of programs involving taking random pills or concoctions marketed online or elsewhere. On the contrary, these types of programs may be harmful to the kidneys.
The Holistic Kidney Journey detox involves a whole-food, plant-based way of eating and lifestyle changes that promote kidney health. Eliminating animal protein, processed foods, salt, and sugar gives your body a break from harmful substances. Eat plenty of rainbow-colored fruits and vegetables to support the body’s natural detoxification process and promote regular bowel movements to eliminate waste. Drinking plenty of water, specific kidney-friendly herbal teas and physical activity will also encourage the body to eliminate waste.
STEP 3: REPLENISH THE BODY WITH NUTRIENTS
While detoxing is a great way to cleanse the body and eliminate unwanted toxins, it can also strip away some essential nutrients the kidneys need to heal and function properly. Eating foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and other crucial kidney-friendly nutrients is important to replenish the body with vital nutrients after a detox. Eating healthy meals that include fruits, vegetables, proteins derived from plants, whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of fluids will help to restore the balance of vitamins and minerals in your body lost from detox.
STEP 4: FOCUS ON THE CAUSE
Many underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or glomerulonephritis, can cause chronic kidney disease (CKD). Knowing the underlying cause of your CKD can help you and your doctor develop a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your specific issues and any complications that may arise.
Focusing on the underlying cause of your kidney issues rather than the symptoms is critical to improving your health. Treating symptoms alone provides temporary relief but is not sustainable for long-term success. Not addressing the underlying issues will lead to a relapse in any area of improvement.
Before focusing on the cause of kidney disease, knowing what causes your kidney issues and what type of kidney disease you have is critical when healing your kidneys naturally. It is alarming how many people do not know these two factors.
For instance, if you have high blood pressure, you should focus on reducing it to avoid further kidney damage. Similarly, if you have diabetes, then controlling blood sugar levels could help improve kidney function.
It is also essential to know what type of kidney disease you have because different types of chronic kidney disease require other treatments and have different prognoses. Some kinds of CKD are more easily treatable and manageable than others.
Kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, and kidney stones, also require more specific treatments and management strategies than those caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, and glomerulonephritis.
Understanding your type of kidney disease and its cause can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about your treatment plan, manage your condition more effectively, and improve your overall health and well-being.
STEP 5: LIFESTYLE
Lifestyle changes such as faith and prayer, eating a healthy diet, and regularly exercising can help prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease. Here are some lifestyle changes needed while on your healing journey:
START WITHIN
The health and wellness journey starts from within. You need to work on your inner self to be healthy. Faith in a higher power and praying can help you stay focused on your goals and be more resilient in adversity. It is important to remember that the journey to health and wellness starts by working on your mental, spiritual, and emotional self and is vital to achieving a healthy lifestyle.
REGULAR EXERCISE
Regular physical activity can help improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, manage blood pressure and sugar levels, help you maintain a healthy weight, improve kidney function, and promote healing. By exercising regularly, you can slow down or reverse the progression of kidney disease.
ADEQUATE SLEEP
Sleep is an essential physiological process that allows the body to rest, repair, and restore itself. Getting adequate sleep is necessary for proper immune function and overall kidney health. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
During sleep, the body’s muscles relax and help reduce tension. The breathing and heart rate slow down to help the body conserve energy. The body also releases many growth hormones, including the growth hormone, which is important for tissue repair and regeneration. Overall, adequate sleep is crucial for the body to rest and help restore the kidneys.
MANAGE STRESS
Stress harms the kidneys. When stressed, your body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. When stressed out, adrenaline increases the production of cortisol, a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands that sit directly on the kidneys. Too much cortisol can directly affect the kidneys.
Meditation, yoga, and other forms of mindfulness can help us to reduce stress levels, get proper rest, and find inner peace. Believing that the body can heal is also essential, as it aids us in staying positive even when things don’t seem to go our way. Working on our inner self through prayer, meditation, yoga, and having faith in a higher power will help us achieve health and wellness in the long run.
STAY HYDRATED
Water is essential for the proper functioning of the kidneys. The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and remove them from the body in urine. Adequate water intake is necessary to help the kidneys flush out these waste products effectively.
Dehydration can cause the kidneys to become overworked and increase the risk of kidney stones. Drinking enough water helps prevent dehydration and keeps the kidneys functioning properly.
Water also helps maintain the proper balance of electrolytes, which is crucial for kidney function.
Drinking enough water helps prevent urinary tract infections, which lead to kidney infections and damage if left untreated. Chronic dehydration leads to kidney damage over time. Drinking enough water helps to restore the kidneys and protect them from further damage.
It’s recommended that adults drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day, although individual water needs can vary depending on factors such as weight, activity level, climate, and overall health. Your healthcare provider may recommend specific guidelines for water intake, so be sure to check with them.
LASTLY
The Kidney Wealth Protocol approaches health from a bio-individuality stance. Bio-individuality refers to the fact that each person has unique health concerns and biological characteristics, such as genetics, metabolism, and microbiome, that affect their health and nutrition needs. Because of this, you should implement a health plan that aligns with your individual lab results.
Your diet should be whole-food, plant-based (WFPB), eating per your labs.
Your renal team will help you review and analyze the results of your blood tests and other diagnostic tests to guide your dietary choices. By analyzing your labs, you can gain insights into your body’s nutrient levels, hormone balance, and other health markers and make dietary adjustments to optimize your health.
You’ve probably been on a seesaw or a teeter-totter at some time in your life — you on one side and a friend on the other.