Wednesday 24 February 2016

Garlic & Kidney Function

Garlic is healthy and use full food for Kidney Function

Garlic & Kidney Function

Kidneys, the pair of bean-shaped organs in the lower abdomen, help remove excess water and waste from the body. Kidney diseases such as kidney infections, kidney stones, renal failure and kidney cancer affect the healthy functioning of these organs. In fact, the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse estimates that more than 10 percent of the American population 20 years or older has chronic kidney disease. Apart from medications and surgery, garlic may also help manage kidney diseases. Talk to your doctor to find out if garlic is right for you.

Garlic as Medicine

Garlic, or Allium sativum, is a small, perennial plant native to central Asia. The cloves from the bulbs of the plant are traditionally used as a spice and flavoring agent in many cultures around the world. Garlic contains a chemical compound known as allicin that gives it immense medicinal value. The common cold, infection, heart disease and certain cancers are just some of the conditions that may be treated using fresh garlic or garlic supplements, available in powder, capsule, oil and liquid extract form. Their appropriate form and dose varies, depending on your age and overall health. Talk to your doctor to establish a regimen that is right for you.

Role in Kidney Health

The biologically active components of garlic can inhibit the production of blood pressure-enhancing hormones by the kidneys. They can also lower the reabsorption of salts by the kidneys and increase urine production. All these mechanisms may help reduce high blood pressure, says Dr. James Scala, author of the book “Twenty-Five Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure.” A study published in a 2008 issue of the journal “Pharmacological Reports” also reveals that garlic can significantly lessen kidney damage associated with mercury chloride exposure in laboratory animals. Mercury chloride -- used in disinfectants, insecticides, batteries, wood preservatives and other products you may come in contact with daily -- is a potential carcinogen, although its effects have not been proven conclusively in humans. Another study in the February 2001 issue of the journal “Food and Chemical Toxicology” points out that low doses of garlic may increase the antioxidant status of kidneys and protect them from free radical-mediated damage. The authors of the study, however, point out that high doses of the herb may have the opposite effect, and thereby emphasize that more research has to be done determine a safe dosage range for garlic.

Side Effects/Precautions

Garlic has been used in food for centuries and is generally considered safe, but some side effects, such as bloating, upset stomach, bad odor and skin lesions, have been reported occasionally. Garlic supplements may also interfere with certain blood-thinning and HIV medications. Ask your doctor if garlic supplements will interfere with the medications you take.
Although garlic supplements are available at most natural food stores and can be bought without a prescription, you must talk to your doctor before using garlic supplements to promote kidney function. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the garlic supplements sold in the United States. So, make sure that the product you intend to use has been tested for safety by an independent testing agency.

Garlic & Kidney disorders

Garlic is healthy and usefull food for Kidney disorders
Your kidneys filter your blood and remove wastes and excess water from your body, notes the National Disease Information Program. When kidney disorders prevent your kidneys from functioning properly, wastes from the foods and beverages you consume can build up and damage the body. Diabetes, high blood pressure and other health conditions can cause kidney failure. Garlic may improve kidney function by helping reduce or eliminate certain kidney-related malfunctions. Check with your health care provider about using herbs for kidney health.

Significance

Garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today it is used to enhance the immune system and is suggested to guard against heart disease and certain cancers due to its antioxidant effects, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Antioxidants help eliminate damaging particles known as free radicals that may contribute to the development of these medical conditions as well as accelerate the aging process.

Considerations

Garlic is also suggested to promote kidney health due to its purported diuretic properties. Diuretics help eliminate salt or sodium and water from your body by forcing your kidneys to put more sodium into your urine. The salt, in turn, absorbs water from your blood, which reduces the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels. Less fluid decreases pressure on the walls of your arteries.

Effects

High blood pressure can also harm arteries and damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys. Damaged kidney vessels are unable to effectively filter water from the blood. Garlic may effect modest reduction of blood pressure, reports the UMMC.
An animal study led by K.K. Al-Qattan of Kuwait University published in the October 2003 issue of the journal "Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids" discovered raw garlic extract may help treat hypertension or high blood pressure.

Potential

Garlic may shield the kidneys from the potentially harmful effects of heavy metals such as cadmium and lead, according to the website Puristat.com. An animal study led by A.M. Massadeh of Jordan University of Science and Technology published in the December, 2007, issue of "Biological Trace Element Research" found garlic intake lowered concentrations of lead and cadmium in the kidneys, liver, heart, blood and spleen.

Side Effects/Precautions

Garlic is generally regarded as safe by the FDA. Side effects may include breath and body odor, bloating and upset stomach. In rare cases, garlic may cause muscle aches, dizziness, loss of appetite and fatigue. Handling fresh or dried garlic may cause a stinging sensation on the skin. Garlic has blood-thinning properties and may increase your risk for bleeding during surgery or childbirth. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of taking garlic



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