Fruits can help us supplement the vitamins our bodies need, and actively and moderately supplementing vitamins is indeed a good thing. However, too much fruit can harm the kidneys! Don't panic yet, let's quickly see what this medical research is all about.
Anyone who wants to be healthy and live a long life must have sound, well-functioning kidneys. The kidneys are very delicate and sensitive to many toxins. Therefore, attention must be paid to the diet first; do not consume too much high-protein or high-sodium food. 1.5~2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day is sufficient for the needs of a healthy person. Also, don't drink too much water; keeping the daily urine volume between 1500-2000 milliliters is sufficient.
Improper consumption of vegetables and fruits
It is a common belief that eating more vegetables and fruits is healthy, but for people with chronic kidney dysfunction, vegetables and fruits, which are often considered natural blood pressure-lowering foods, contain high levels of potassium. Long-term consumption can actually damage their kidney function. In fact, for people with poor kidney function, potassium is also a component that increases the workload on the kidneys and is very harmful to them.
Solution: If you suffer from chronic kidney dysfunction, you should pay attention to consuming vegetables and fruits appropriately to avoid affecting the kidneys. Do not drink vegetable or fruit juices that are too concentrated, or hot pot broth or vegetable soup. The diet should be light.
Some people believe that eating fruits high in potassium ions helps lower blood pressure. Experts said in a health education lecture yesterday that for people with high blood pressure but generally normal body functions, potassium ions can be moderately supplemented from food, but one should not overeat them just for supplementation. Excess potassium ions can cause discomfort in other organs, and the kidneys are the first to be affected.
Bananas and watermelons, commonly eaten in the summer, are rich in potassium ions. Experts said that although supplementation from natural foods is relatively safe, eating too much at once is not advisable. For example, for a normal person, eating 1-2 bananas a day is harmless, but eating 5-6 a day may be excessive.
If potassium ions are taken through medication, such as potassium tablets, experts point out that an overdose can easily lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Excessive supplementation can also damage the kidneys.
Doctors state that for patients with initial hypertension, the diet should be mainly high in calcium and high in fiber. One can start by gradually losing weight, exercising, getting enough sleep, and adjusting the diet to control it. If there is no improvement after a period of effort, it is best to seek medical treatment. For those with a family history of hypertension, blood pressure should be measured regularly. If a serious increase is found, seek medical attention and take medication immediately, and undergo health checks for various organs to understand if the spike in blood pressure has damaged them.
In addition to bananas and watermelons, oranges, orange juice, etc., are also rich in high levels of potassium ions. Others such as peas and lentils also contain quite a bit of potassium.
If you have abnormal kidney function, you must avoid arbitrarily supplementing extra potassium ions. For example, renal insufficiency can easily lead to high blood phosphorus and high blood potassium, causing electrolyte imbalance. The medical community recommends reducing the intake of phosphorus-rich foods. Vegetables should be blanched in hot water first, and the daily fruit intake should not exceed two servings to avoid absorbing too much potassium.
Consuming the right medicinal herbal teas can also help lower blood pressure. Experts and doctors say that patients with weakness, soreness, and softness in the muscles and bones, and those with liver and kidney deficiency, can consider drinking tea made from Eucommia, Mulberry寄生 (Sang Ji Sheng), and Achyranthes (Niu Xi).
For hypertension patients with what TCM calls liver and kidney deficiency and weak muscles and bones, experts point out that one can consider boiling 12 grams of Eucommia, 12 grams of Achyranthes, and 15 grams of Mulberry寄生 (Sang Ji Sheng) in water to drink as tea. Eucommia and Mulberry寄生 can both lower blood pressure and strengthen muscles and bones, making them suitable for these patients to take in combination under a doctor's guidance.
Traditionally, Mulberry寄生 is used to expel wind-dampness and also to nourish the liver and kidneys, and strengthen muscles and bones. TCM believes it is most suitable for wind-dampness arthralgia, liver and kidney deficiency, and soreness in the lower back and knees. It is often used with Angelica pubescens (Du Huo) and Achyranthes. For symptoms like soreness in the lower back and knees, and weakness in the feet and knees, it is a key medicine for tonifying the liver and kidneys. Therefore, for the elderly with a weak constitution, or women with excessive menstrual flow and leucorrhea due to liver and kidney deficiency, with lower back pain, weak muscles and bones, it is often used with Eucommia and Radix Dipsaci (Xu Duan).
Eucommia has a sweet, slightly pungent taste and a warm nature. It tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens muscles and bones, and has the effect of strengthening the body. Doctors say that the combined use of Eucommia and Mulberry寄生 has a good effect in lowering blood pressure. However, whether an individual patient is suitable for its use, doctors recommend seeking a diagnosis first before deciding on the medication.