Protect & Care For Your Kidneys

Do you always have the urge to pass urine first thing in the morning, even before you think of brushing your teeth? That is because your kidneys have diligently performed their life-sustaining job of removing waste products from your body to generate urine even when you are fast asleep.

They work 24/7 to filter about 190 liters of fluid and produce around 1.9 liters of waste. This makes them extremely vulnerable to damage and oxidative stress. Other than removing waste, they also regulate the body’s fluid balance and blood pressure, produce an active form of vitamin D for strong bones and control the production of red blood cells. These critical functions are enough to emphasize the importance of keeping your kidneys healthy.

Some kidney problems known as acute renal failure (ARF) can happen suddenly such as when the kidneys are subjected to trauma or injury. However, most kidney problems happen gradually, without any symptoms in the early stage and then result in chronic renal failure. Patients with complete kidney failure will have to undergo dialysis or transplantation to stay alive. Furthermore, kidney disease is prone to occur especially when you have diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of any kidney problems or have been taking medicines such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen for a long period of time.

There are some ‘super foods’ that have been included in renal diets to combat against free radical and oxidative stress. Foods like cherries, cranberries, apples, red bell peppers, cabbage, olive oil, java tea, onions and garlic helps to promote kidney health. By and large, people with reduced kidney functions should cut down on their cholesterol, sugar, sodium, potassium and protein intakes. Most importantly, do not use medications over a long period without a doctor’s supervision.

If you want to look into doing more to protect your kidneys, Life Extension has identified a few scientifically grounded products:

1. Life Extension Super Ubiquinol CoQ10 with Enhanced Mitochondrial Support™ 50 mg/100mg:

CoQ10 is a nutrient that helps increase the production of powerful kidney-protective antioxidants which quenches damaging free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. Many drugs could strain the kidney and cause irreversible damage. Research shows CoQ10’s ability to protect the kidney against damage from various drugs.

2. Life Extension Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate Caps 100 mg

In diabetes or when blood sugar levels are constantly high, the sugar can react with proteins and lipids causing the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs have been shown to enhance oxidative stress, decrease kidney functions as well as worsening many degenerative diseases. Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate has been shown to inhibit the formation of AGEs and work as a coenzyme in chemical reactions to support kidney health.

3. Life Extension Resveratrol with Pterostilbene 100mg

Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is able to preserve the kidney structure and function during times of ischemia (inadequate blood supply) and reduce kidney injury from bacterial infection. Pterostilbene works synergistically with Resveratrol to improve kidney mitochondria function and promote rapid healing of injured kidney tissues.

4. Life Extension Taurine 1000 mg

Taurine, a free amino acid, is one of the most essential substances in the body. In extra amounts in supplement form, Taurine prevents the destruction of kidney cells caused by high level of sugar in the blood. A Japanese research also showed that Taurine prevents kidney damage caused by excess salt in the diet.