Food

Habits and Foods that are Actually Damaging the Kidneys

5. Overdosing on iced tea. There’s nothing more refreshing than a nice glass of cold iced tea in the hot days of summer. However, did you… Trista - October 28, 2020

5. Overdosing on iced tea.

There’s nothing more refreshing than a nice glass of cold iced tea in the hot days of summer. However, did you know that drinking too much can cause serious problems to your kidney? Well, this 56-year-old man learns it the hard way when he was brought to the hospital with kidney failure. The man admitted to drinking at least 16 glasses of iced tea every day. Talk about thirst! Doctors concluded this was the cause of the failure, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock decided to research the reason behind it.

They found that black tea is a source of oxalate, and high intakes can produce calcium oxalate kidney stones. Before this case, doctors couldn’t link the tea with Kidney failure. It was until they did a biopsy of the kidney that they discovered how much damage it can do. It is still being investigated, but it is highly believed that oxalate-containing foods can cause kidney stones, and if it’s not treated, it can worsen. Oxalate can be found in various food and drinks like dark beer, milk, instant coffee, high fiber cereal dry beans, and some fruits like blueberries.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

4. Tattoos might poison you.

What better way to show your rebel side than to ink your skin with great art and sometimes questionable tats that will likely haunt your dreams? Well, sometimes getting a tattoo can be dangerous for your kidney too, so before taking the big step of going to your tattoo appointment, here we show you what the risks involved in this century-old tradition are. The University of British Columbia found that some inks used in modern tattoo parlors have toxins that can enter your circulatory system and damage your kidney, lymph node, and lung damage in some patients.

The Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved or researched some inks used like UV light-activated or glow in the Dark, so not much is known of the damage it might cause in the long run. It is also essential to understand that some people might be allergic to some ingredients that can cause dermatitis, which is skin irritation. According to the National Center for Toxicological research, some of the dyes used in tattoos are also suitable for printers and automobile paint. So next time you go to get the tattoo that you dreamt of, remember to check what type of ink might be safe for you.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

3. Say no to keto.

Keto Diet is the new trend in dietary lifestyles that are sweeping the nation. If you’ve been living under a rock, Keto Diet is a low carb, high-fat diet commonly used to lose weight fast. Lowering the carb intake can lead to Ketosis, a metabolic state where your body primarily relies on fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Even if it’s trendy right now, it is not for everyone, especially if you have any renal problems that might jeopardize your health, so it is vital to know the risks before diving into it.

Since high-fat foods like cheese, eggs, and meat do not have any carbs, it is a staple for the Keto diet, but that also means that you might be at a higher risk of having Kidney Stones. When you have a higher intake of animal foods, your blood and urine can turn more acidic. You’ll have higher chances to excrete calcium in your urine and reduce the amount of citrate released in your urine, lead to developing kidney stones. Anyone with a Chronic Kidney Disease (CDK) need to stay away from Keto because this might weaken your kidney and lead to acidosis.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

2. Plant-based diets can be dangerous.

Going Vegan is a big step for many people. Leaving behind all animal products can be a challenge, but it can be achieved with a well-regulated balanced diet. That can worsen your condition with kidney problems, especially if you’re unsure what things you can eat. With your eating options being smaller, this means you have to depend on fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and healthy oils to keep your body running. Now that you decided to avoid that meat lover’s pizza, it’s time to learn what to avoid and which ones to try out.

First of all, it is always essential to consult a dietitian before attempting any diet. They will tell you what options are right for you and find a balance to help you stay in optimal health. However, if you want to try the green-way, always remember to avoid high sodium, potassium, and phosphorous food and veggies since that will affect your kidney. It is better to include at least some protein-rich animal products combined with veggies high in fiber to keep it balanced. There are other diets like the DASH Diet, which is mostly recommended for people with high blood pressure and that consist of avoiding high fat, cholesterol, and trans fat

<< Previous

NEXT >>

1. Essential oils can be poisonous.

There’s nothing more relaxing after a long day at work to relax in the bathtub with a cup of wine, relaxing music, and your favorite essential oils burning away and filling the air with calmness. These popular oils can help you relieve stress, pains and relax you. Nevertheless, according to scientists, essential oils might be doing more harm than good. What exactly are these types of aromatic oils used in baths, spas for massages, and burns have that can go as far as damaging your kidneys? Well, Scientists from Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science in Taiwan are here with the results.

Researchers found that these oils used for relaxation have a chemical called volatile organic compounds that, when mixed with the air, creates a secondary organic aerosol that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and can cause nausea, headaches, and liver and kidney damage. The oils that generated the highest number of aerosols were eucalyptus, lemon, tea tree, lavender, and peppermint. Also, it all depends on the ventilation within the space where the oils are being used. Next time you go to a spa, check out how ventilated the area is, the types of oils used, and be safe from those volatile organic compounds.

Sources:

https://www.kidney.org/news/ekidney/june09/DietTips_june09

https://www.healthline.com/health/human-body-maps/kidney

https://www.kidney.org/content/10-common-habits-that-may-harm-your-kidneys

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/keeping-your-kidneys-healthy/

https://healthykidneyinc.com/2020/07/03/avocados-and-kidney-disease/

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/sweet-potatoes-harmful-kidneys-2454.html

https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/basics/lowering-potassium-in-potatoes#:~:text=Certain%20high%2Dpotassium%20foods%2C%20such,to%20reduce%20the%20potassium%20load.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-kidney-disease#13.-Tomatoes

https://doctor.ndtv.com/living-healthy/heres-how-tomatoes-affect-the-kidney-1827373

https://www.kidney.org/content/juice-or-not-juice

https://www.kidney.org/news/kidneyCare/winter10/AlcoholAffects#:~:text=Alcohol%20causes%20changes%20in%20the,and%20organs%2C%20including%20the%20kidneys.