The kidneys are vital organs that play a role in many key functions within our body.  In ancient times, the kidneys were said to be the “ocean of the body.”  Every day, our kidneys process nearly 200 quarts of blood to help remove about two quarts of excess water and waste products. Even with all their hard work, luckily for us, our kidneys are self-cleaning. If this is the case, why do many companies market kidney cleanses? While our kidneys do not need to be manually cleansed, they can benefit from foods, supplements, and herbal remedies that help flush toxins from the body, support a healthy blood pressure, boost immunity, and improve the functionality of the urinary tract and bladder.  To build a foundation for kidney health, be sure to consider the following. 

Kidney-cleansing foods:

• Beet juice
• Watermelon
• Lemon juice
• Cranberry juice
• Pumpkin seeds
• Smoothies
• Ginger
• Turmeric

Key vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B6
• Magnesium

Targeted herbal remedies:

• Dandelion tea
• Marshmallow root
• Red clover
• Juniper
• Ginger
• Nettles
• Goldenrod
• Parsley

For optimal kidney health, take care of your body!  Avoid smoking and limit or eliminate hard alcohol and most caffeine intake.  Adopt a diet rich in fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.  Decrease your dietary consumption of red meat and dairy.  Make every effort to maintain healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Drink about half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Find an exercise you can enjoy and get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Also, work to maintain a healthy weight.