The kidneys play an extremely important function, flushing wastes from your body and preventing toxin buildup. If you have any kind of kidney dysfunction, it can lead to many painful symptoms and, if not treated, serious health problems. Taking a kidney supplement can help with prevention and help manage some existing conditions.
Common Kidney Supplements to Consider
There are quite a few kidney supplements on the market. The following are among the most popular.
- Cranberry – Cranberry juice, as well as supplements such as capsules and powdered mixes made from cranberry, supports the urinary tract and some say cranberry juice may even help to prevent the buildup of calcium oxalate in the kidney.
- Magnesium Citrate – This form of magnesium, often used to promote regular heart rhythms, has also shown in some clinical trials to have a positive effect at inhibiting calcium oxalate crystals.
- Dandelion – This common herb, often dismissed as a weed, actually has many potent medicinal qualities. Dandelion tea is an excellent source of potassium, a mineral and electrolyte that stimulates the heartbeat. Potassium may help the kidney filter toxins more effectively and improve blood flow. The polysaccharides in dandelion are known to reduce stress on the liver and support its ability to produce bile. Extracts of dandelion may increase the frequency of urination
- Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) – Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, helps the body to use and store energy from protein and carbohydrates in food as well as help the body form hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. High doses of vitamin B6 may decrease oxalate production. Like magnesium citrate, some clinical trials have shown pyridoxine to have a positive effect at inhibiting calcium oxalate crystals.
- Uva Ursi – This herb, which is also called bearberry and sandberry, has been used for centuries because it is thought to reduce bacteria in the urine. It is also believed that it can reduce swelling (inflammation), and have a drying (astringent) effect on the tissues. It was used extensively by Native Americans. However, be careful as uva ursi is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in high doses for more than one month. It can cause liver damage, breathing problems, convulsions, and death when used in high doses.
The above are just a few herbs, fruits, and plants that are known to have a potentially beneficial effect on the kidneys.
The Problem with Taking Individual Supplements
If you want to take a kidney supplement for conditions such as kidney calcium oxalate crystals, you have several options. You can take various herbs, juices, and other natural remedies individually. Such products, however, are not specifically designed to treat conditions such as kidney calcium oxalate crystals and can be cumbersome to take each and every day. One supplement called Kidney C.O.P. Calcium Oxalate Protector is a patented formulation containing 5 ingredients and is shown in laboratory tests to inhibit the rate of calcium oxalate crystal growth by 99%!
Take a Patented Supplement Backed By Research
While you can try all kinds of kidney remedies, a more focused approach is to find a supplement that has a blend of ingredients backed by research to treat kidney calcium oxalate crystals. It’s best to find a product that has a short but potent list of active ingredients that are proven to work. This saves you the time and trouble of trying all kinds of remedies, some of which may do more harm than good.
In order to get the best results from any supplement, make sure you’re also following sensible guidelines for proper kidney health. For example, foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, many nuts, chocolate, and beets can contribute to the buildup of calcium oxalate and kidney crystals. Drinking plenty of water is also important for flushing out the kidneys. If you eat an appropriate diet and follow the recommendations of your doctor, a kidney supplement can help you manage conditions such as kidney calcium oxalate crystals.