By Noelle C. Stanley

Most of us don’t think twice about our kidneys on a regular basis, but maybe we should. The National Kidney Foundation states that 26 million American adults have a chronic kidney disease, and 1 in 3 Americans are at risk for developing kidney disease. The kidneys are true treasures in the body and when they are properly cared for and functioning optimally, we can dramatically improve our overall health and vitality.

To keep it simple, the kidneys filter all the water-soluble wastes and regulate the fluids in the body— blood, water, minerals and sexual fluids. They filter all of your blood about 20 times in one hour. They are also related to high and low blood pressure. Think of all the water the kidneys regulate. Most people hold approximately one gallon of water in the body for every 10 pounds. A 200-pound person has approximately 20 gallons of water in their body.

Signs of weakened kidneys

Traditional Chinese medicine has been successfully practiced for thousands of years. The Chinese believe our life force is stored in the kidneys and that when our life force is done, we are done. That is a pretty important role for the kidneys. In Eastern culture it is thought that fear and anxiety are held in the kidneys, and that excess fear and anxiety can be a sign of kidney weakness or imbalance.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the ears, reproductive organs and bones can be affected by weakened kidneys. Practitioners of this type of medicine believe that when the kidneys are imbalanced or stressed, physical signs will show up under and above the eyes and in the front of the scalp (premature balding). It is important to be aware of some of these concepts when you are trying to understand your body and better care for it.

Tips to improve kidney health

Reducing animal protein in your diet is one step you can take to improve the health of your kidneys. The kidneys have to work two to three times harder when you consume animal protein. Instead, consume more black foods like black beans, black lentils, black sesame seeds, blackberries, black rice and seaweed. Some other pro-kidney foods are cranberries, parsley, asparagus and cucumbers. Lemons and limes, green apples and raw apple cider vinegar all help break down kidney stones and are great to use mindfully. The kidneys also need healthy sodium that can be found in celery, seaweed and small amounts of sea salt. Some excellent teas to consider are marshmallow root, uva ursi, American ginseng and nettles.

I encourage you to make some minor changes in your diet and lifestyle to benefit your kidneys. It could mean lowered blood pressure, reduced anxiety, stronger bones, improved fertility, less bloating and more energy.