How often do you think about your kidneys? Not very often, right? Because our kidneys go about doing their jobs so quietly, they usually don’t get on our awareness radar. Considering that our kidneys are just about as important as our hearts are at keeping us alive, we really need to give them more respect!
Our kidneys are vital organs. They are so important that we can’t live without them! We can continue living if we only have one kidney (although it would have to work extra hard to keep us healthy), but we have to have at least one kidney in tip-top working condition!
So, let’s get to know our kidneys a bit better.
We have two kidneys. Fist-sized organs resembling the shape of kidney beans, our kidneys are located at the back of the abdominal cavity below the ribs, one on each side of the spine.
Every minute of every day, our kidneys perform many functions that are essential for our health and well-being. Their job is to filter the blood, make urine to remove wastes from the body, and maintain homeostasis, along with other important functions.
Think of your kidneys as a waste filtration facility that is always turned on. They never get to take a break. Each and every minute of our lives about 20% of the total blood pumped by the heart is filtered by the kidneys, waste and toxic substances are cleaned from the blood, and the filtered blood is then sent back through the heart. According to the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases), your kidneys filter about 150 quarts of blood a day at a rate of around 1/2 cup per minute. The kidneys also remove waste acids that are produced by our cells.
Ever wonder where urine comes from? Our kidney waste filtration facility makes urine from fluids that have not been reabsorbed and uses the urine to flush our body’s fluid wastes through the ureters, which are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. The bladder holds up to 2 cups of urine at a time and empties the urine out of the body through the urethra. So now you know - urine is what’s left over from the blood filtration processes in the kidneys.
But our kidneys have more responsibilities besides this important job of waste filtration. They actually control the levels of minerals (sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium), as mineral ‘salts,’ in the blood and are in charge of electrolyte balance. Our kidneys actually create hormones that help regulate our blood pressure, promote healthy bones, and help produce red blood cells. They also manage the fluid levels in the body and help keep the body’s pH levels balanced, maintaining what is called homeostasis, a state of equilibrium in the body.
Our bodies are almost 60% water, and every part of our body needs water to function at its best. Since the primary job of the kidneys is as a major filtration system of the fluids in our bodies, and to also regulate the fluids in our bodies, our kidneys need enough water to effectively do that vitally important job. With a normal fluid intake of 4 pints (64 ounces) per day, you should be producing 2-4 pints of urine every 24 hours. The key to making sure your urine volume stays at the level it should be at is to drink enough fluids every day, especially pure water, to help you produce enough urine to keep your kidneys and urinary tract clear. Not drinking enough water increases uric acid in the urine and it becomes more acid. Normally, urine is a pale or clear yellow color. You can tell if you are not consuming enough water if your urine is a darker, stronger yellow color.
Along with the concentrated fluid wastes that need to be flushed from the body, urine contains many dissolved minerals and salts. For healthy functioning of the whole body, and especially the kidneys, it is very important that fluids move fluidly so these dissolved minerals and salts don’t build up in the kidneys. That’s why staying hydrated is so very important.
Here are some healthy living suggestions to help keep your kidneys happy and healthy:
- Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! The general rule of thumb is to drink eight 8 oz glasses of pure water each day. You’ll get more fluids from other drinks and foods you eat during the day. (Avoid soda pop!)
- Exercise! This helps support healthy blood pressure levels, healthy weight, and helps move fluids.
- Eat healthy! A diet containing nutritious, fiber rich foods benefits the kidney/urinary system as well as the rest of the body. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetable daily. Include a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in water.
- Too much salt in your diet can affect your kidney function, as can a diet high in unhealthy fats, eating large amounts of meats, and being overweight.
- Reduce carbonated, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks, as they are hard on your kidneys.
- Check your blood pressure. Blood pressure that is too high negatively effects the kidneys.
- Don’t smoke or overuse alcohol.
Along with living a kidney-healthy lifestyle, Nature has provided us with certain herbs that can be an important support to your kidney/urinary system. Cedar Bear®’s alcohol-free liquid herbal formula Kidney Clear was specially formulated to support clear kidney and bladder function. The herbs in Kidney Clear have a gentle fluid-clearing diuretic action that benefits the kidneys so they can do their best job filtering the blood and keep body fluids, pH, and minerals in healthy balance. A bonus is that this formula also supports clear functioning of the liver and gallbladder, as well. When your kidneys make you feel uncomfortable, Kidney Clear really helps clear things out!
A bit about the herbs in this formula: Chanca Piedra, which literally means “Breaker of Stones”, helps keep your kidneys and gallbladders clear. It also supports liver function, helps detoxify the body, and relaxes tissues in the kidney/urinary system. Burdock Root soothes and detoxifies the kidney/urinary, liver, and lymphatic systems and helps flush fluids. Horsetail is a tissue strengthening and diuretic herb that increases urination and helps flush and tone the kidney/urinary system. Hydrangea Root supports healthy urinary tract and kidney function. It cleanses and promotes clear kidney function. Marshmallow Root soothes and protects irritated kidney and urinary tract tissues. Goldenrod helps flush out impurities and increase urine flow to help the kidneys function clearly and soothes and tones the urinary tract. Couchgrass is a highly diuretic herb that helps the kidneys clear metabolic wastes and excess water and soothes irritated mucus membranes. Horsechestnut is soothing and relaxing to tissues of the kidney/urinary system. Together, these herbs are a powerful ally in helping your kidneys be clean and clear.
It’s not just the herbs in Kidney Clear that makes it so effective at supporting your kidney/urinary system. Kidney Clear is made with Cedar Bear®’s special proprietary process called the TincTract®. It’s more than a tincture, and more than an extract, and works better than either!
Cedar Bear®’s alcohol-free TincTract® process makes the herbs both bio-available and bio-utilizable, so every drop goes right to work supporting your health and well-being. Best of all, the TincTract® process not only makes herbs work better, but they taste better, too!
With the right herbs and the right process, with Cedar Bear®’s Kidney Clear you have the right herbal formula to help your kidneys function clean and clear.
Like all Cedar Bear® herbs, Kidney Clear is totally alcohol-free. It has only three things in it, the herbs, glycerin, and water. Nothing else!
Whenever you feel your kidneys need some extra attention, clear them with Cedar Bear®’s soothing and clearing alcohol-free herbal formula, Kidney Clear. Give your hard-working kidneys the respect they deserve. Take care of your kidneys, and they will take very good care of you!
INGREDIENTS: Chanca Piedra Herb, Burdock Root, Horsetail Herb, Hydrangea Root, Marshmallow Root, Goldenrod Herb, Couch Grass Rhizome, Horse Chestnut.
OTHER INGREDIENTS: USP Grade Vegetable Glycerin, Purified Water.
NOTE: Do not use while pregnant. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
SUGGESTED USE: ¼ tsp (1.23 mL) 2-3 times a day, or as needed. Shake well.
SUPPORTS: Kidney
BODY SYSTEM: Urinary
ACTION: Cleansing/Direct Aid
Kidney Clearing Program with Cedar Bear® Herbal Formulas:
This Kidney Clearing Program is beneficial when done for 2-3 days every few months to support healthy and clear Kidney/Bladder function and can be used for longer periods of time when need is intense.
2 2 oz bottles Kidney Clear
1 2 oz bottle Kidney & Bladder
1 2 oz bottle Uri-Lixer
Diet: Eat very lightly, mostly broth, soups, and vegetable and fruit smoothies and herbal teas, organic and homemade if possible.
Fluids: While clearing your kidneys, drink 8-12 eight-ounce glasses of pure water each day, starting when you first wake up. Do not drink soda pop, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
Herbal Supplements: Take ¼ teaspoon (two droppers full) Kidney Clear, 2 times first thing in the morning upon arising, ¼ teaspoon 2 times before bed. Take ¼ teaspoon Kidney & Bladder 1-2 hours after taking Kidney Clear, between meals. Take ¼ teaspoon Uri-Lixer 1-2 hours after evening mealtime.
If Need is Intense: Take ¼ teaspoon Kidney Clear every hour with a small amount of water throughout the day, alternating with Kidney & Bladder and Uri-Lixer, using them separately 2-3 times each throughout the day.
*(These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Association. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)