A Brief Overview Of The Kidneys’ Role In Preventing Bone LossAs your kidneys filter out toxins and excess acid from the blood, they also put a buffer or acid neutralizer back into the bloodstream in the form of bicarbonate. This shows how crucial it is for your system to be alkaline, and it’s also why the kidneys get overworkedwhen, for example, you take a lot of medications (which are acidic) and/or eat anacid-forming diet.And just as there are certain foods that help cleanse and alkalize the body and ease the load on the kidneys, there are also foods thatare not only acidic, but actually damage these important organs.6 Foods To AvoidRemember, no food is strictly off-limits on theSave Our Bones Program. So when I mention “avoiding” a food or foods, it’s more about raising awareness of how these foods act in your body so you can make informed choices and limit their consumption.The following 6 foods (and food components) can actually harm your bones or your kidneys (especially when consumed in large quantities) and some of them may surprise you.1. Animal Protein (Meat and Dairy)When my doctor announced I had osteoporosis, he also told me to “drink plentyof milk.” I’m sure that many of you in our community got the same advice, but fortunately, by now you know thatmost doctors have it all wrong about milk. Here’s a brief refresher why.For one thing, milk contains animal protein. This protein is highly acidifying, whether it comes from a goat, sheep, or cow. This is why the consumption of milk and other dairyproducts increases calcium secretion in the urine – the body must take calcium from thebones to neutralize the acid in your system before your kidneys get bombarded with the excess protein.And as you might suspect, this puts a tremendous amount of stress on your kidneys and “ages” your bones by depleting them of calcium. In fact, research from Harvard Medical School clearly shows thatdrinking milk does nothing to prevent fractures, and in fact may increase fracture risk.Meat is, of course, straight animal protein, and a 2003 study shows that meat-rich dietsincrease the risk of uric acid kidney stones.1This is direct evidence that animal protein harms your kidneys.“…a balanced vegetarian diet with a moderate animal protein … and a high alkali-load with fruits and vegetables results in the lowest risk of uric acid crystallization compared to the omnivorous diets,”1the study concludes.The good news is that the pH-balanced nutrition of theSave Our Bones Programis low in animal proteins and rich in fruits and vegetables, so you’re doing more than building and rejuvenating your bones. You’re also protecting your kidneys!2. CaffeineI know how easy it is to become caffeine dependent. But while this stimulant may make you feel more energy temporarily, it ultimately makes you feel older and more tired.The problem with caffeine is the very thing we like about it: it’s a stimulant, and if your kidneys are already taxed, long-term caffeineuse can increase your risk of renal failure.2Even brief caffeine consumption increases your risk of developing kidney stones, especially on an empty stomach. A 2002 study analyzed the immediate effects of drinking caffeine after 14 hours of fasting. The results showed greater calcium excretion in the urine and a higher risk of kidney stone formation.3So have caffeine in moderation. Here’s a trick I use for my morning coffee: I brew half regular and half naturally decaf coffee to reduce the amount of caffeine.3. Synthetic Sweeteners (Aspartame, Saccharine, etc.)While it’s true thatsugar is bad for your bones, the “fake stuff” will rapidly decrease your kidney function. The fact is, these artificial sweeteners are synthetic chemicalsthat are toxic and acidifying.The heaviest consumption of these chemicals is from drinking diet colas. In fact,it’s been scientifically proven that just two cans of diet soda cause a decline in renal function.4So use plant-derived stevia instead of the toxic artificial sweeteners.Speaking of carbonated beverages…4. SodasThese bubbly beverages rob your bones of their youthful vitality in other ways besides crippling your kidneys. Theyliterally melt your bonesbecause of the enormous amount of caustic phosphoric acid they contain. This acid dissolves calcium, makingit just about impossible to prevent bone loss.Like the study above involving two or more cans of cola a day, another study showed that this same amount of carbonated beverages – regardless of the kind of sweetener they contained – increased the risk of chronic kidney disease.5With their high concentration of sugar or artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and phosphoric acid, such beverages are best avoided if you want to prevent your bones from losing density. Instead, drink plenty of distilled water with a few drops of lemon juice, and feel free to indulge in the occasionalhomemade soda alternative.5. SaltTable salt contains sodium chloride (NaCl), anti-caking agents, and often dextrose. It’s also bleached and processed for uniform color and crystal size.Plus table salt, which contains 40% sodium, is devoid of other trace minerals or healthful components, thus bombarding your kidneys with excessive amounts of a single element. For example, a high sodium diet that’s low inpotassium has been linked to heart attack and, startlingly enough, death from any cause.5Americans tend to consume far too much table salt and sodium. The kidneys must try to keep up with the resulting salt levels in theblood, increasing the need for water to keep intercellular fluids balanced. The body then holds the water as it tries to correct for the excess salt, creating excessive blood volume. The cardiovascular and renal systems must work very hard under this pressure.There’s more bad news for sodium lovers –salt robs your bones of the calcium they needto be resilient and strong. Urinary output of calcium increases greatly when excess sodium is ingested, accelerating the aging process and damaging bones.6Savers know that the Program recommendsusing sea salt instead of table salt. Plus when you follow the Program, you’re eating a potassium-rich diet, which counteracts the damaging effects of excessive sodium.6. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)The artificial introduction of foreign genetic material into foods is a relatively new science, but research is emerging with ominous implications about this practice.Some very common foods like corn, canola, and soy are almost always genetically modified these days, while evidence mounts thatthese foods cause kidney damage. When GM corn was tested on rats, the researchers concluded as follows:…our data strongly suggests that these GM maize varieties induce a state of hepatorenal toxicity. This can be due to the new pesticides (herbicide or insecticide) present specifically in each type of GM maize, although unintended metabolic effects due to the mutagenic properties of the GM transformation process cannot be excluded.”7Clearly, these foreign “invaders” overwhelm your kidneys and liver, detoxification organs that are crucial for preventing bone weakening and preserving youthful bones.Take Action To Ensure Your Kidneys Are Functioning ProperlyBesides just avoiding the above foods whenever you can, there are manycleansing,kidney-friendly foodsyou can eat to reverse the loss of bone density associated with age.The good news is, there are far more healthful, detoxifying foods than the six culprits listed above.
The end! Kindly follome stay cool!