Kidneys have an important function to filter and control the waste that the body produces, so you must take care of their health. Although detox diets and fasting are becoming increasingly popular, there is little scientific evidence to suggest that they can flush toxins from the body. The liver and kidneys can do this on their own effectively. So, you just need to concentrate on maintaining the health of these organs, not intentionally fasting or detox diets. If you decide to fast to cleanse your kidneys, drink lots of water and eat foods that are good for your kidneys.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Try a Cleansing Fast
Step 1. Consult a doctor first
Talk to your doctor before you start fasting to cleanse your kidneys. If your current health condition does not support it, fasting may not be a safe option. Don't be surprised if doctors are skeptical of the benefits of fasting for kidney cleansing. He may be more advised to drink lots of water and improve your diet to have healthy kidneys.
- If you are diagnosed with kidney problems, your doctor may recommend a diet in collaboration with a nutritionist.
- Fasting cleanses the kidneys can affect drug absorption. So, don't fast if you are taking medication.
Step 2. Drink more water
If you want to try fasting to cleanse your kidneys, the safest way is to increase your water intake. Try to drink at least 8 glasses a day to help maintain kidney health. If you choose to fast, make sure you keep drinking plenty of water.
Step 3. Reduce consumption of processed foods
Help your kidneys by avoiding processed and high-sodium foods. Refined carbohydrates that should be limited are cakes, chocolate, tar, biscuits, and sugary drinks. Other processed foods are white bread and white pasta.
- A detox diet that stays away from all high-processed foods can make you feel better in the long run.
- For a long-term solution, choose a balanced diet.
Step 4. Try apple juice
If you want a short-term method that can help cleanse your kidneys, try fluid fasting instead. One method claims that drinking ten liters of apple juice and ten liters of distilled water a day can cleanse the kidneys and clear up kidney stones.
- Apples are a good choice for maintaining kidney health.
- Apples can help lower cholesterol and glucose levels, and are a great source of vitamin C. Apple skin is also a great source of antioxidants.
- Be aware that packaged apple juice usually contains a lot of sugar.
Step 5. Consider a “lemonade diet”
This diet requires you to drink a mixture of two tablespoons of lemon juice, two tablespoons of maple syrup, one-half teaspoon of chili powder, and 1-2 cups of water.
- Then, you will only consume this “lemonade” (followed by a glass of water) for ten days, before starting to eat raw fruits and vegetables.
- You should drink 6 to 12 cups of lemonade a day.
- You are also recommended to drink laxative tea every morning.
- However, there is no scientific evidence that this kind of cleansing is a good approach to promoting better, long-term health.
Step 6. Try watermelon
Another fasting technique that is said to cleanse the kidneys is the consumption of large amounts of watermelon. You can buy 10 to 50 kg of watermelon, then eat it throughout the day, while continuing to empty your bladder.
- If you have chronic kidney problems, avoid this method as watermelon contains high amounts of potassium.
- You should not eat more than 150 grams of watermelon a day if you have chronic kidney disease.
- 92% of watermelon is water. So, fasting is almost the same as drinking lots of water.
- Eating too much watermelon can cause health problems. So talk to your doctor first.
Step 7. Consider herbal cleansing
An alternative to the “lemonade diet” is drinking special herbal teas. This tea is made by steeping cup of hydrangea root, gavel root, and marshmallow root in 10 cups of cold water. Let stand overnight and then add a little boiled parsley, before bringing the mixture to a boil and letting it simmer for 20 seconds.
- Once cool, drink cup and then store the rest in a bottle.
- Every morning, pour cup of the mixture and half a glass of water into a large cup.
- Add 20 drops of goldenrod solution and a tablespoon of glycerin.
- Drink it throughout the day, but stop if your stomach hurts.
Method 2 of 2: Caring for the Kidneys
Step 1. Drink lots of water
You can increase the effectiveness of kidney function and clear toxins from the body naturally by drinking plenty of fluids. In general, you should aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, but in hot weather, you may need to drink more to replenish fluids lost through sweat.
- Pay attention to the color of your urine to see if you should drink more.
- Urine should be clear light yellow in color. If it's darker in color, it means you're dehydrated and need to drink a lot.
- Drinking lots of water a day will reduce the risk of kidney stones forming.
Step 2. Eat healthy foods
A balanced and healthy diet will help maintain healthy kidneys, which in turn helps the body get rid of toxins naturally. A healthy diet should include lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains so that you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Use a tool like "myplate" to evaluate and plan a diet:
- Some of the best foods for kidney health are apples, blueberries, and strawberries.
- Try to include kale and spinach in your diet. Sweet potatoes are also a great food for the kidneys.
- Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids are good for the kidneys. Try eating salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines.
Step 3. Avoid salty and fatty foods
By reducing the amount of salty and fatty foods, you can help your kidneys function more effectively. Choosing fresh foods instead of canned foods will greatly help reduce salt intake. Packaged foods usually contain a high amount of salt, but if you cook yourself, you can control and reduce your salt use.
- Look for the following words on food labels: “sodium free”, “salt free”, “no added salt”, or “use less salt”.
- Use herbs to add flavor instead of salt.
- Make sure you wash all canned foods like beans, meat, vegetables, and fish before eating.
Step 4. Avoid smoking and alcohol
Smoking and drinking alcohol are very harmful to the kidneys. Try to quit smoking completely, and limit alcohol consumption to no more than two small servings a day for men and one serving for women.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol can both increase blood pressure.
- High blood pressure is one of the main causes of kidney disease.
- You should see your doctor for a blood pressure check at least every five years.
Step 5. Have an active lifestyle
You should always combine a healthy diet with an active lifestyle. Excess weight will increase blood pressure and cause kidney problems. In general, you should aim to exercise at least 150 minutes a week. Exercise can be done by running, cycling, and swimming, or team sports and workouts at the fitness center.
- Calculate Body Mass Index to find out if you are at a healthy weight.
- You can use the following online calculators:
