One of the deadliest diseases that can affect a person, if not well managed, is chronic kidney disease. The kidney is a vital organ, and when it is damaged, it affects the body’s ability to filter blood and water, resulting in fluid and waste product build up in the body, which can cause swelling in your ankles, general body fatigue, vomiting, insomnia, or shortness of breath. This important organ also rids the body of every form of toxin or waste and helps in the production of red blood cells. 

Treating kidney disease can be very expensive since it involves the use of costly medications and investigative procedures.

However, findings from a five-year research study showed that to improve kidney function, daily consumption of about three-four servings of fresh vegetables and fruits are required. This simple but highly effective method will help kidney patients regain their health as well as save money on medications and medical costs.

So how exactly does eating the Right Foods Improve Your Kidney Function?

Adopting a natural diet for kidney disease plays a major role in the functioning of the kidneys and ultimately fighting the disease. Typically, most doctors will prescribe various medications to help treat the disease. But according to a study carried out at the University of Texas, a nutrition shift is a natural treatment for CKD (chronic kidney disease).

The findings from this five-year study revealed that a positive change from eating just about any food to a more natural diet rich in vegetables and fruits lowered the systolic blood pressure of subjects with kidney disease better than those who opted for prescription drugs.

Actually, scientists sought to determine which group did better — the group of people who opted for medication or those in the food group. The success of the findings did not only depend on whether medications or natural diet was more effective at naturally decreasing blood pressure but also whether or not using food had any impact on overall treatment costs.

Undoubtedly, results showed that the group which opted for a more natural treatment for CKD prevailed over the medication group. Not only did participants make significant progress in their health, but drug costs also lowered each year after, saving them an  average of about $153,000 over the span of the five-year study.

Importantly, adopting a natural diet for kidney disease either for curative or preventive purposes cannot be stressed further. According to Dr. Nimrit Goraya, study author and program director for nephrology at Baylor Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, Texas, said that for people with kidney disease — or those wanting to prevent it — the importance of eating the right foods rather than settling for medications was “huge.”

The Importance of Vegetables and Exercise in Regulating Blood Pressure

A group of scientists at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, carried out a 28-study review on 1,000 kidney patients on dialysis. Findings, however, showed that those patients who regularly employed both aerobic and resistance (strength) training exercises lowered their blood pressure readings significantly.

Lona Sandon, clinical nutrition program director at the School of Health Professions at UT Southwestern in Dallas, noted that three or four servings of veggies and fruits, depending on the type, make all the difference: 

“It is remarkable what fruits and vegetables can do, along with a little exercise. Blood pressure meds come with many side effects that may leave people feeling sluggish or other problems.

The side effects of fruits and vegetables and exercise are better health. When people have access to healthy foods, they can change their health. And especially when they eat the recommended amounts that were provided to them in the study.

Be sure to check out our All-Natural Kidney Health & Kidney Function Restoration Program for more excellent diet tips to support more normal kidney function.