Did you know that a cleanse isn’t just for your liver? In fact, cleansing your kidneys is one of the first steps you should take to support a healthy balance of hormones.
Let’s take a closer look at why cleansing your kidneys is a good idea, and how you can get started.
Whenever you’re looking at a cleanse, you always want to start with the lymphatics. But the next step to take is the kidneys.
Why? Because if you cleanse the liver first, you don’t know whether the elimination organs are working properly! You could end up with much nastier substances and metabolites circulating. Your body needs the kidneys, bowels and gallbladder to support the work of the liver.
When it comes to the kidneys, their job is to filter the blood and excrete water-soluble waste and toxins. They also regulate the fluid in the body by balancing electrolytes.
Unfortunately, the kidneys are often neglected. Factors such as cold, alcohol, caffeine and acidic foods can affect kidney function. But there are some easy tweaks to give your kidneys some much-needed care.
Signs your kidneys could use some TLC
How can you tell it’s time for a gentle kidney cleanse? There are some specific symptoms that you can look out for, including:
- Gout
- Fluid retention, particularly in the lower half of your body
- Kidney stones – calcium or uric stones
- Cloudy or smelly urine
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Itchy skin
- A build-up of ammonia
- Anxiety, ADHD symptoms and insomnia (side effects of high ammonia)
- MTHFR – those with MTHFR issues will struggle to clear ammonia from the body, putting greater strain on the kidneys
Simple steps for cleansing your kidneys
The good news is that cleansing the kidneys can be easy with just a few small tweaks to your diet. Here are 4 simple ways to nourish and cleanse the kidneys naturally.
Filter your water!
We already know that water is a must for the kidneys. But unfortunately, some councils will actually add ammonia into the drinking water. This helps to keep the water clean, but it also means you increase your own ammonia levels. And guess which organ is responsible for ammonia – you guessed it, the kidneys.
Chlorine and fluoride are also added to drinking water, which puts even greater pressure on the liver and kidneys. Copper pipes can also leach copper, which is an issue for anyone with pyrroles or oestrogen dominance. So when you’re trying to nourish your kidneys with at least 2L of water, you could be making things worse.
Make sure you drink plenty of filtered water each day. Even a simple jug with a filter will help relieve the burden on the body.
Nettle and dandelion teas
Another way to hydrate is with teas that are wonderful for the kidneys.
Nettle is amazing for your kidneys, and just 2-3 cups per days can help to cleanse the kidneys. Or if you can access fresh nettle, you might like to make a nettle dip with steamed nettle, olive oil, cashews, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Nettle is also beneficial for your brain health, hair, skin, nails and bones, thanks to the serotonin and silica content.
Another tea is dandelion. Dandelion leaf is a gentle diuretic that supports fluid moving to and through the kidneys.
Kidney loving fruit and vegetables
Include plenty of fruit and veg that nourish the kidneys such as:
- Celery – one of the most restorative for the kidneys, as it is high in electrolytes, minerals and water content
- Beetroot – rich in potassium and antioxidants
- Seaweed – packed with minerals
- Berries and cherries – these contain antioxidants that protect the kidneys
- Cranberries – these have a compound that protect against UTIs by coating the urethrea
Balance your blood sugars
If your blood sugar levels are fluctuating or elevated, it can affect your kidneys. You might go to the toilet frequently, but your body is likely excreting glucose instead of urea. Make sure you incorporate protein and fibre into your meals and snacks, and avoid processed sugars and meals with excess carbohydrates.
Looking for some inspiration for your kidney cleanse?
I’ve got you covered with two amazing freebies. You can access 4 free cleanse recipes here, or jump into a free 3 Day Kickstart Cleanse here.