What Foods Help Repair Kidneys? 9 Surprising Choices

Summary

In this informative video, Dr. Frida, a certified nephrologist, discusses the prevalence of kidney disease and its causes, emphasizing the importance of diet in kidney health. She recommends nine kidney-friendly foods, including red bell peppers, cranberries, cabbage, garlic, onions, apples, fatty fish, citrus fruits and berries, egg whites, and chia seeds and flax seeds, highlighting their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties to support kidney function and overall health.

Takeaways

• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Frida is a medical doctor specialized in nephrology, focusing on kidney and high blood pressure issues.
• 🔢 37 million Americans have kidney disease, with many being unaware of their condition.
• 🚨 Kidney failure is life-threatening without dialysis or a transplant.
• 🍽️ Kidney health management involves lifestyle, exercise, hydration, and diet.
• 🌶️ Red bell peppers are beneficial for kidney health due to their low potassium, high vitamins, and antioxidants.
• 🍇 Cranberries can reduce urinary tract infections and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• 🌿 Red cabbage is rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants, and vitamins, aiding kidney repair.
• 🧄 Garlic and onions contain vitamins, antioxidants, and substances that improve blood flow to the kidneys.
• 🍎 Apples are high in fiber and antioxidants, beneficial for reducing cholesterol and kidney health.
• 🐟 Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, promoting heart and kidney health.
• 🍊 Citrus fruits and berries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, supporting kidney and immune health.
• 🥚 Egg whites are a low-phosphorus, high-quality protein source beneficial for kidney health.
• 🌾 Chia and flax seeds are high in fiber, protein, omega-3s, and antioxidants, supporting overall health including kidney function.

Q & A

What is the prevalence of kidney disease among Americans according to the script?

Kidney disease is quite prevalent, with 37 million Americans affected, and most of them do not even know it.

What happens if both of a person's kidneys fail?

If both kidneys fail and stop working, a person cannot live unless they have some form of kidney replacement therapy like dialysis or a transplant.

What are some factors involved in kidney management mentioned in the script?

Kidney management is multifactorial and can involve medicines, lifestyle changes, exercise, water drinking, and food choices.

What is Dr. Frida's area of medical specialization?

Dr. Frida is a medical doctor who is board-certified in nephrology, specializing in kidney and high blood pressure issues.

Why are red bell peppers beneficial for kidney health?

Red bell peppers are beneficial for kidney health because they are low in potassium, high in vitamins A, B6, and C, and contain beta carotenes and the antioxidant lutein, which have anti-inflammatory properties and support vascular flow.

How do cranberries help with kidney health?

Cranberries help with kidney health by reducing bladder and urinary tract infections through their resin content, which binds to bacteria and flushes them out. They are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that support vascular flow to the kidneys.

What are the health benefits of cabbage for kidney repair?

Cabbage is beneficial for kidney repair due to its phytochemicals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and high content of vitamins A, B6, K, C, and fiber, which can help lower bad cholesterol.

Why are garlic and onions recommended for kidney health?

Garlic and onions are recommended for kidney health because they contain vitamin B6, vitamin A, antioxidants, and substances like allicin in garlic that help relax blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the kidneys. Onions also contain chromium, which aids in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

What role do apples play in supporting kidney health?

Apples support kidney health due to their high content of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins like vitamin C. They are also low in sodium, which can help reduce blood pressure, a risk factor for kidney disease.

How do fatty fish contribute to kidney health?

Fatty fish like wild salmon, tuna, and mackerel contribute to kidney health because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and help reduce inflammation and bad cholesterol levels, promoting vascular flow and kidney function.

What are the benefits of citrus fruits and berries for kidney health?

Citrus fruits and berries are beneficial for kidney health because they are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which support the immune system and have properties that can help prevent kidney stones. Berries also contain phytochemicals like anthocyanins that promote vascular flow and are good for kidney repair.

Why are egg whites a good source of protein for kidney health?

Egg whites are a good source of protein for kidney health because they contain all essential amino acids and are low in phosphorus and sodium, which can help patients with advanced kidney disease avoid complications and maintain healthy blood pressure.

How do chia seeds and flax seeds support kidney health?

Chia seeds and flax seeds support kidney health by being an excellent source of protein and fiber, which can help reduce cholesterol. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, and their ability to swell when mixed with water can help control appetite and maintain a healthy weight.

Outlines

00:00

🍎 Importance of Kidney Health and Dietary Choices

The script introduces the prevalence of kidney disease, affecting 37 million Americans, many of whom are unaware of their condition. It emphasizes the critical role of kidneys and the necessity of kidney replacement therapies like dialysis or transplants when both kidneys fail. The speaker, Dr. Frida, a certified nephrologist, offers a direct consultation service for health concerns, particularly blood pressure and kidney health. She highlights the multifactorial approach to kidney management, including lifestyle, exercise, hydration, and especially diet. The video promises to reveal nine food choices beneficial for kidney repair, urging viewers to subscribe for more health insights.

05:01

🥕 Nine Surprising Foods for Kidney Repair

This paragraph delves into the first five of the nine kidney-repairing foods. Red bell peppers are praised for their low potassium, high vitamin content, and antioxidants, beneficial for kidney and vascular health. Cranberries are discussed for their ability to prevent urinary tract infections and their antioxidant properties. Cabbage is highlighted for its phytochemicals, vitamins, and fiber, all of which support kidney repair. Garlic and onions are commended for their vitamins, antioxidants, and potential to improve blood flow to the kidneys. Lastly, apples are noted for their antioxidants, fiber, and low sodium content, which aids in cholesterol reduction and blood pressure management, both crucial for kidney health.

10:04

🐟 Fatty Fish and Other Nutritious Foods for Kidney Health

The paragraph continues the list of kidney-friendly foods with fatty fish like salmon and tuna, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and beneficial for heart and kidney health. Citrus fruits and berries are next, celebrated for their vitamin C and citrate content, which aids digestion and may prevent kidney stones. Egg whites are recommended as a low-phosphorus, high-quality protein source, ideal for those with advanced kidney disease. Chia and flax seeds conclude the list, noted for their protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and appetite-suppressing properties, all of which contribute to overall health, including kidney function.

🌱 Incorporating Kidney-Healthy Foods into Your Diet

The final paragraph encourages viewers to integrate the discussed foods into their diets for better kidney health. It suggests ways to use chia seeds, such as sprinkling them on salads or in smoothies, and mentions their health benefits like fiber content and omega-3 fatty acids. The paragraph also invites viewers to share their recipes and to explore the channel's playlist dedicated to kidney health. Dr. Frida thanks the audience for watching and motivates them to live healthily.

Keywords

💡Kidney Disease

Kidney disease refers to any condition that damages the kidneys' ability to function properly. It is a critical theme in the video, as it discusses the prevalence of the condition, affecting 37 million Americans, and the importance of kidney health. The script emphasizes that without kidney function, life is not sustainable without dialysis or a transplant, highlighting the severity of kidney disease.

💡Nephrology

Nephrology is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. Dr. Frida, the speaker, is a board-certified nephrologist, which means she specializes in kidney and high blood pressure issues. This keyword is significant as it establishes the speaker's authority on the subject of kidney health.

💡Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar. In the context of the video, diabetes is mentioned as the number one cause of kidney failure, emphasizing the connection between diabetes management and kidney health.

💡High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is discussed as the second leading cause of kidney failure in the script. It is a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high, which can lead to kidney damage over time.

💡Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that can protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. In the video, antioxidants are highlighted as beneficial for kidney health, as they help to reduce inflammation and prevent cancer. Examples include red bell peppers, cranberries, and berries.

💡Red Bell Peppers

Red bell peppers are mentioned as an excellent food choice for kidney health due to their low potassium content and high levels of vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as beta carotenes and the antioxidant lopine. They are used as an example of a food that can contribute to kidney repair.

💡Cranberries

Cranberries are described as beneficial for kidney health in the script, primarily due to their ability to reduce urinary tract infections by binding to bacteria and helping to flush them out. They are also noted for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

💡Cabbage

Cabbage is presented as a cruciferous vegetable rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is highlighted for its vitamin content and fiber, which can help lower bad cholesterol and support overall kidney health.

💡Garlic and Onions

Garlic and onions are discussed as beneficial for kidney health due to their vitamin B6 and A content, antioxidant properties, and ability to reduce inflammation and cholesterol. They also contain alliin in garlic and chromium in onions, which aid in blood vessel dilation and carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism, respectively.

💡Fatty Fish

Fatty fish, such as wild salmon, tuna, and mackerel, are emphasized for their high omega-3 fatty acid content, which is beneficial for heart health and reducing inflammation. They are also noted for their role in promoting kidney health by improving vascular flow and potentially unclogging arteries.

💡Citrus Fruits and Berries

Citrus fruits and berries are highlighted for their vitamin C content, which has antioxidant properties and supports immune health. Citrus fruits contain citrate, which aids digestion and may help prevent kidney stones, while berries are rich in phytochemicals like anthocyanins, which promote vascular flow and kidney repair.

💡Egg Whites

Egg whites are mentioned as an excellent source of protein with all essential amino acids and less phosphorus compared to egg yolks. This makes them beneficial for patients with advanced kidney disease who need to manage phosphorus intake to prevent complications like bone disease.

💡Chia Seeds and Flax Seeds

Chia and flax seeds are discussed as excellent sources of protein and fiber, with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. They can help reduce cholesterol, support digestion, and maintain a feeling of fullness, which can aid in weight management and overall kidney health.

Highlights

Kidney disease affects 37 million Americans, often undiagnosed, and can be fatal without kidney replacement therapy.

Kidney management involves multifactorial approaches including medicine, lifestyle, exercise, water intake, and food choices.

Dr. Frida, a certified nefrologist, offers personalized health services for kidney and blood pressure concerns.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, followed by high blood pressure.

Food choices play a significant role in preventing kidney disease and aiding in kidney repair.

Red bell peppers are beneficial for kidney health due to their low potassium, high vitamin content, and antioxidants.

Cranberries help prevent urinary tract infections and possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for kidneys.

Cabbage is rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, promoting overall health including kidney repair.

Garlic and onions improve kidney health by reducing inflammation, cholesterol, and improving blood flow.

Apples, with their antioxidants and fiber, contribute to kidney health and help maintain a healthy diet.

Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, supporting heart and kidney health.

Citrus fruits and berries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, aiding digestion and preventing kidney stones.

Egg whites are a low-phosphorus, high-quality protein source beneficial for kidney health.

Chia and flax seeds are high in protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, supporting kidney and heart health.

Incorporating these nine food choices can significantly contribute to maintaining and repairing kidney health.

Dr. Frida encourages viewers to like, share, and subscribe for more health and kidney-related content.

Transcripts

have you been told that you have kidney

disease or do you just want to prevent

it you want to keep your kidneys healthy

kidney disease is quite prevalent 37

million Americans have it and most don't

even know it and the thing about kidneys

is that if both of your kidneys fail if

they both stop working you cannot live

unless you have some form of kidney

replacement therapy like dialysis or a

transplant kidney management is

multifactoral and yes it can involve

medicines Lifestyles exercise water

drinking but it can also involve your

food choices so today I'm sharing with

you nine excellent food choices that can

help to repair your

kidneys keep watching would you like to

have a one-on-one conversation with me

to discuss your blood pressure

specifically or other medical concerns

you may have would you like my undivided

attention as we discuss your specific

medical Journey if so you are in luck

because I offer a conge tella Health

Service where you can get my direct

input on your health concerns be sure to

click the link below I'm Dr Frida I'm a

medical doctor who has been Bor

certified in nefrology which means that

I am a kidney and high blood pressure

specialist so yes day in and day out

taking care of kidneys helping people to

have healthy kidneys that's what I do

this is my willhouse now diabetes is the

number one cause cause of kidney failure

high blood pressure is the number two

cause and there are many many many more

causes but one thing kind of a hidden

secret that can help to prevent kidney

disease it can actually help to repair

kidneys well it's the foods you eats

it's your food choices so today let's

just get into it and let's talk about

these nine surprising food choices that

can help to repair kidneys be sure to

like this video and to share it with the

people you care about because I'm going

to give you some excellent

evidence-based information also if you

have not done so already make sure you

subscribe to my channel and hit that

notification Bell so you'll be among the

first to know when I release new content

number one red bell pepper isn't this

just a beautiful food it is but you know

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

it's actually excellent for your kidney

health because red bell peppers are low

in potassium they're high in vitamins a

vitamin B6 vitamin C in fact red bell

peppers have twice as much vitamin C as

many citrus fruits that's a little known

fact the other thing that's really great

about red bell peppers is that they have

beta carotenes they also are loaded with

lopine which is an antioxidant and

antioxidants are wonderful because

they're anti-inflammatory they help to

get rid of free radicals they help to

prevent cancer they're also good for

vascular flow and good for your Kidney

Health number two cranberries now

cranberries are a Tangy and tasty treat

but beyond being delicious they can also

help with your kidneys one way is that

they help to reduce bladder infections

right urinary tract infections so if

you've ever had cranberries like pure

Cranberries or even cranberry juice

that's 100% organic you notice that

there is a grit like it's gritty there's

a resin well the resin in The

Cranberries that grittiness is what

helps to bind to bacteria that try to

crawl up into your bladder and cause

your urinary tract infections so once

they bind to the cranberry resin the

bacteria are flushed out in your urine

and you have a lower chance of having a

urinary tract infection beyond that

cranberries are actually loaded with

antioxidants and anti-inflammatory

properties so this is wonderful for your

kidney health and for the vascular flow

to your kidneys cranberries also promote

gut health and heart health number three

cabbage and here is a red cabbage I'll

tell you right now I love red cabbage I

use it in my day-to-day life I juice it

sometimes I'll juice it with pineapple

I'll put it in salads I'll sauté it

lightly with garlic and onions it's a

wonderful wonderful vegetable it's one

of the cruciferous vegetables and it's

excellent for helping to repair your

kidneys it has phytochemicals it has

antioxidants it has anti-inflammatory

properties it's loaded with vitamin A

vitamin B6 Vitamin K Vitamin C and fiber

and we know that fiber can help to lower

your bad cholesterol be sure to to watch

my video on how to unclog your arteries

naturally after you finish watching this

video cabbage is also good for your

digestion it's good for your eyes your

bones your teeth your immune system and

it's great for your kidneys number four

garlic and onions yes now your breath

might not be minty fresh after having

garlic and onions but you will have

better Kidney Health and it's amazing

because when I share this with my

patients and they go and they start

listing and using some of these Foods a

lot of times I get such great results

when we repeat their kidney tests and

their blood pressures garlic now garlic

is wonderful number one it tastes

delicious not when you overcook it you

want to just saut it you want you don't

want to denature some of the health

benefits but garlic has vitamin B6

vitamin A it has antioxidant properties

it helps to reduce inflammation it helps

to reduce cholesterol garlic also has a

substance called Allison and Allison

helps to relax the blood vessels which

allows them to dilate and that can

increase your blood flow to your kidneys

so they're certainly great For Kidney

Health garlic also has some

antimicrobial factors so it can be good

for your immune system it can help to

prevent infection but garlic is not

alone honey because onions are delicious

as well and they're also great for

helping to repair your kidneys so onions

have flavonoids they can help to reduce

inflammation they're good for heart

health as well and of course are healthy

for your kidneys another thing about

onions is that they contain chromium

which is a mineral that helps to

metabolize carbohydrates fats and

proteins number five apples an apple a

day just might keep the doctor away but

it won't keep me away because I love

apples and this is why they're excellent

for your Kidney Health apples are loaded

with antioxidants which help to reduce

cancer they're also loaded with fiber

and so they can help to reduce

cholesterol and remember that fiber is

going to mostly be in the skin now I'll

tell you I do like juicing and I use

apples for a lot of my juices but if you

want to maximize the kidney benefits of

your Apple then you do want to

incorporate the peel keep the peel they

also have vitamins like vitamin C they

have potassium so these things are also

good for kidney Health they have no

sodium how about that and of course we

know that having a low sodium diet or a

no sodium food can really help to reduce

your blood pressure and high blood

pressure is the number two cause of

kidney failure so of course that's

another way that will help with your

Kidney Health apples are low in calories

and they're filling and so they can help

you to eat less which can reduce your

risk of living with obesity and we know

that living with obesity can put you at

risk for having poor Kidney Health

number six fatty fish if you're going to

eat meat make sure you eat fatty fish

such as wild salmon tuna habibet

mackerel these foods are filled with

omega-3 fatty acids they have

antioxidants they're excellent for heart

health they help to reduce inflammation

they help to lower bad cholesterol like

LDL and they help to raise your good

cholesterol like your HDL they're good

for your vascular flow they're good for

unclogging your arteries naturally and

they're excellent for promoting Kidney

Health if you have been told that you

have poor Kidney Health or that you have

CKD stage something please be sure to

watch my video on the CKD stages

explained I go into detail about the

chronic kidney disease stages watch that

video after you finish watching this

video number seven citrus fruits and

berries so when we're talking about

citrus fruits of course we're talking

about lemons and limes and oranges and

tangerines and grapefruits these fruits

are not only delicious but they're great

for your Kidney Health they're loaded

with vitamin C which has antioxidant

properties it's also good for your

immune system and the citrus fruits have

citrate which Aid in your digestion and

the citrate can help to prevent kidney

stones and then you have your delicious

berries berries like blackberries

strawberries blueberries raspberries

these berries are loaded with

antioxidants okay and so they can help

to reduce free radicals they're cancer

fighting they can help to promote

vascular flow they're loaded with phyl

chemicals anthocyanins they're delicious

and honestly they're very good for

helping to repair your

kidneys number eight egg whites let me

tell you something about egg whites

they're actually an excellent source of

protein they have all of the essential

amino acids and in my humble opinion

they're quite delicious and as far as

egg whites they are a source of protein

that has less phosphorus than other

sources like egg yolks and let me tell

you why that's important for my patients

with very Advanced kidney disease like

the patients I take care of on dialysis

it's important that have a low

phosphorus diet because if they don't

they can get other complications like

bone disease and other things of the

like well if they eat the egg white then

they're able to get all the benefits of

protein which is very important without

having the excess phosphorus eggs also

happen to be low in salt which we know

again helps to decrease your blood

pressure and so it's a great protein

source and it's something that can be

helpful in kidney disease number nine

chia seeds and flax seeds so here are

some chia seeds ch ch chaia chia seeds

are wonderful they're actually an

excellent source of protein they have

all of the essential amino acids child

I'm dropping chia seeds on myself and

chia seeds are really an easy food to

incorporate into your diet you can

sprinkle them on your salad you can

sprinkle them on into your juices into

your smoothies and they are loaded with

fiber and so they can help to reduce

your cholesterol naturally they're also

good for gut health they aid in

digestion chia seeds have omega-3 fatty

acids they have antioxidants oh here's a

trick if you mix chia seeds with water

and let it sit for a while so you can

let them swell well when you eat it that

way it's like this gel a little bit

gooey but here's the thing it'll swell

up in your stomach and it'll help you to

stay full for longer decrease your

appetite which could potentially help

you to maintain a healthy weight and

prevent being a person who's living with

obesity bottom line chia seeds they're

excellent they're great for heart health

they're great For Kidney Health so these

are nine of the food choices that can

help to repair your Kidney Health there

are many more if you found this video to

be helpful and informative be sure to

like it and to share it with the people

you care about also I want to know how

you incorporate these Foods into your

diets if you have any great recipes

please put it in the comments down below

also be sure that you go to my playlist

on this YouTube channel and you click

the kidney health related videos I have

just a wealth of information on how to

keep your kidneys healthy I thank you

for watching I appreciate the support

and I want you to do your best to live

your healthiest happiest life I'm Dr

Freda