TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR KIDNEYS

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TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR KIDNEYS

Anni Dahms

Founder of the retail chain ANNI’s VITAL SHOP.
Nurse & Health specialist, Biopath and Nutritional Adviser

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TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR KIDNEYS

How to support the vital work of your kidneys

The kidneys are remarkable organs that most of us rarely give much thought to until problems arise. Fortunately, there is a great deal we can do to take good care of them throughout our lives.

Have a great summer
Take good care of your kidneys

Recently, a good friend came to see me and asked for advice on how she could best support her kidneys while following her doctor’s recommendations. For some time, she had been experiencing swollen feet and legs, something she had never suffered from before.

This led us to talk about the kidneys, those remarkable organs that most of us rarely give much thought to until problems arise.

Kidneys and Our Vital Energy

It is important to be mindful of kidney function, and fortunately there is much we can do to support kidney health. Kidney function changes naturally with age, and studies show that many people in their seventies have kidney function that is 20–35% lower than in early adulthood. This is often a natural part of the ageing process, but it also highlights the importance of taking good care of our kidneys throughout life.

Small Habits That Support Your Kidneys

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Eat a healthy and varied diet
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Stay active every day
  • Make relaxation and restful sleep a priority

Kidneys and Our Vital Energy

At a time when we are confronted daily with threats of war, economic uncertainty and many other concerns, many people are experiencing increasing levels of stress and anxiety. Naturally, this affects not only our mental wellbeing but also our physical health.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys are regarded as the body’s reservoir of energy. They are associated with vitality, life force and sexual energy. Fear and insecurity are considered the emotions that particularly affect kidney energy.

Although these associations are not part of modern Western medicine, many people still find value in the idea that our emotional lives and physical wellbeing are closely connected.

It can therefore be a worthwhile investment to make time for yourself and create more joy, calm and security in everyday life. Fear is a natural human emotion that none of us can avoid completely. The aim is not to ignore it, but to learn how to face it and gradually become less controlled by it.

In some traditions, the right kidney is said to be symbolically associated with our sense of security and self-worth in relation to the world around us, while the left kidney is associated with the feelings we direct towards ourselves, such as self-criticism and guilt. This is symbolism rather than medical fact, but such images may give some people food for thought.

Physiologically, the right and left kidneys perform much the same functions. However, the right kidney usually sits slightly lower than the left because of the position of the liver. In many cases, the body can function perfectly well with one healthy kidney, which demonstrates just how remarkable these organs are.

The kidneys

The Vital Work of the Kidneys

The kidneys are the body’s own purification system. We have two bean-shaped kidneys situated high in the abdominal cavity, behind the lower ribs. Each kidney weighs only around 150 grams, yet together they perform an impressive job around the clock.

Approximately one litre of blood passes through the kidneys every minute. This means that these two small organs filter around 1,700 litres of blood every day, helping the body maintain the correct balance of fluids, salts and waste products.

The main functions of the kidneys are:

  • Filtering waste products from the blood
  • Regulating the body’s fluid balance
  • Maintaining the body’s salt balance
  • Helping to maintain the body’s acid-base balance
  • Excreting excess fluid as urine

The amount of urine we produce each day depends on many factors, including how much we drink, the weather and our level of physical activity. For most adults, normal urine output is approximately 1–2 litres per day.

The kidneys also perform several other important functions. Among other things, they help the body produce red blood cells, contribute to the maintenance of normal blood pressure and help activate vitamin D, which is important for both bones and muscles.

How Can You Support Your Kidneys?

A healthy lifestyle is the most important foundation.

Remember to Drink Enough

The kidneys need fluid to perform their work effectively. Make sure you drink plenty of fresh water throughout the day. For variety, you could occasionally choose a little cranberry juice, carrot juice, celery juice or pomegranate juice.

Many people enjoy drinking goldenrod tea as part of their daily routine. You could prepare a litre of tea and enjoy it throughout the day, either hot or chilled in the fridge. Some people also use goldenrod as a tincture.

Green tea is another popular choice as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Nettle has a long history of use in European herbal medicine, and many people enjoy drinking two or three cups of nettle tea a day.

Turmeric contains curcumin, which is known for its antioxidant properties.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight can place strain on the kidneys, circulation and metabolism. Regular exercise benefits the body in many ways and does not have to involve strenuous training. The most important thing is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy.

Useful Food Supplements

A good-quality multivitamin and mineral supplement can provide a useful everyday foundation.

Resium

Resium is a well-known natural product with a long history of use. Many people use it as part of their efforts to support the kidneys and urinary tract.

B Vitamins

B vitamins contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and the normal functioning of the nervous system. You may wish to choose a vitamin B complex that also contains choline. Research into the importance of choline for functions including those of the liver and kidneys is continuing.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and contributes, among other things, to the normal functioning of the immune system. If you have kidney problems or are prone to kidney stones, it may be advisable to speak to your doctor about the dose that is most suitable for you.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and the maintenance of normal bones and muscles. The kidneys play an important role in activating vitamin D so that the body can use it.

Turmeric / Curcumin

Turmeric, or curcumin, is known for its antioxidant properties and is included in many modern food supplements.

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body and is involved in a number of biological processes.

A Final Thought

Louise Hay often wrote about the connection between thoughts, emotions and physical wellbeing. In relation to kidney problems, she believed that emotions such as criticism, disappointment, failure and shame could play a role.

She suggested the following new thought pattern:

“Divine right action is always taking place in my life. Only good comes out of each experience. It is safe to grow up.”

Take care of your eyes

Take Care of Your Eyes

Diet, good habits and thoughtful care

I cried alongside my father when, as an adult, I watched his eyesight gradually deteriorate. From my childhood, I remember how, as an optician, he could see even the tiniest screws in women’s delicate wristwatches with remarkable precision.

Our eyesight changes naturally with age, and many people experience various changes to their vision during their lifetime. Eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related changes to the macula are more common among older people than among younger people.

Every day, our eyes are exposed to environmental influences. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can contribute to oxidative stress in the tissues of the eye, so it is important to take good care of our eyesight throughout life.

Diet and good habits

Through your diet, you can help support the health of your eyes. Many people choose to eat plenty of vegetables and fruit rich in carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale, as well as in tomatoes, peaches and mangoes.

As far as possible, try to limit fast food, sausages, ready-made burgers and foods containing large amounts of sugar. I believe that our eyes, like the rest of the body, benefit most from real food prepared with good-quality ingredients.

If you have a sweet tooth, as I sometimes do, a small piece of dark chocolate can be a good choice. The darker the chocolate, the more naturally occurring antioxidants it contains.

You can certainly enjoy a good glass of wine, but as with so many things, moderation is important. According to traditional Chinese medicine, there is a connection between the liver and the wellbeing of the eyes.

When it comes to sweeteners, I personally prefer to be cautious about artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. Aspartame is found in products including NutraSweet and Canderel. Everyone must decide for themselves what feels right, but personally I prefer more natural alternatives.

Useful Food Supplements for the Eyes

A good-quality multivitamin and mineral supplement can provide a useful everyday foundation.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. The eyes actually contain a high concentration of vitamin C.

Krill Oil

Krill oil contains the important omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, as well as the antioxidant astaxanthin. Many people choose krill oil as part of their daily supplement routine.

Omega-7

Many people use omega-7 as part of their efforts to maintain moisture in the mucous membranes. Those who are prone to dry eyes therefore often choose to supplement with omega-7 alongside a good-quality fish oil.

Bilberry and Euphrasia

Bilberry has been used for many years as a popular eye supplement and is included in products such as Blue Berry Plus from New Nordic.

If you spend a great deal of time working at a computer, tired and dry eyes can be a challenge. Many people find relief from eye drops containing euphrasia, also known as eyebright.

Kurt Winberg – Founder of Biosym

I recently read that Biosym is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It brought back memories that remain as vivid today as if they had happened yesterday.

I first met Kurt Winberg through my training as a Biopath. I was among the first students to train as a Biopath under Kurt Winberg. It was a wonderful time, although it was both enjoyable and a considerable challenge. As a rather naive young woman from Jutland, I probably asked a few too many questions, and Kurt Winberg used to tell me that it would not hurt if I also thought a little for myself.

Fortunately, our relationship developed into a warm acquaintance, and I remain deeply grateful for everything I had the opportunity to learn from Kurt Winberg.

Kurt Winberg later founded Biosym, which is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Among other things, he was behind the vitamin and mineral supplement Omnimin, which remains one of my absolute favourite products to this day.

When I later moved to Spain, we stayed in touch. I worked here as a Biopath and organised many courses at which Kurt Winberg was often a highly valued and popular guest speaker.

Kurt Winberg was unconventional, extremely knowledgeable and, in many ways, far ahead of his time. Whenever he visited, there was always joy and good humour. But when the teaching began, everyone listened intently to the wealth of knowledge and experience he shared.

Congratulations to Biosym on its 40th anniversary, and thank you for the many wonderful memories, the tremendous inspiration and the many unique products.

Products related to this article

Selected products mentioned in or related to this month’s newsletter.

Resium

Related to kidney and urinary tract support.

View product

B Vitamins

Related to energy metabolism and nervous system function.

View product

Vitamin C

An antioxidant that contributes to normal immune function.

View product

Vitamin D

Important for bones, muscles and calcium absorption.

View product

Turmeric

Contains curcumin, known for its antioxidant properties.

View product

Taurine

An amino acid that occurs naturally in the body and is involved in several biological processes.

View Taurine 1
View Taurine 2

Omnimin

A broad multivitamin and mineral foundation.

View product

Krill Oil

Contains omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

View product

Omega-7

Often chosen for mucous membranes and dry eyes.

View product

Bilberry

A classic supplement for eye health and vision support.

View product

Euphrasia Eye Drops

Eyebright eye drops, often used for tired, irritated or dry eyes.

View product

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