Mailbag! How to SAVE Your Kidneys (Diabetics Only)
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 18, 2021
I’m diabetic and very concerned about my kidney health. What supplements or other treatments would you suggest?
–Pete in St. Paul, Minnesota
Hi Pete,
You are right to be concerned about your kidneys: they’re essential for detoxification and good health.
And unfortunately, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, striking about 30 percent of adults with diabetes.
You probably know that your kidneys’ primary job is to filter waste and balance water. If you have too much water, your kidneys get rid of it. If you don’t have enough water, they hold on to it.
In other words, keeping your kidneys healthy is all about balance.
So why are diabetes patients at risk for kidney damage?
High blood sugar causes oxidative damage, which breaks down the blood vessels throughout your body… including your kidneys. And as you may know, the “filter” part of your kidney is just a network of blood vessels.
Couple this with high blood pressure, which many diabetics suffer from, and suddenly you could be looking at kidney failure.
The truth is, only way to protect your kidneys is to lower your blood sugar and keep your blood pressure under control.
Thankfully, it’s pretty easy.
Dr. Scott’ Anti-Diabetes Program:
- Start with your diet. Cut out as much sugar as you can. Yes, this means tossing the soda and sweets into the trash. Instead, base your diet around quality proteins and vegetables.
- Find easy ways to exercise. Take the stairs, walk to your errands, stand during television commercials… find something fun and stick with it. Exercise is proven to help control blood sugar.
- Weight control. The best way to control diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight. There are many ways to lose weight, but I prefer getting blood sugar under control first and giving your metabolism a kick.
- Try a cinnamon supplement. This savory baking spice is super-concentrated, and a powerful weapon against high blood sugar. It’s easy to find in supplement form… and it’s dirt cheap.
- Eat more turmeric. This spice is naturally anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory. Turmeric helps to reduce insulin resistance, allowing glucose to enter your cells effectively. You can add more turmeric to your diet or get it as a supplement.
- Olive leaf extract. This compound is known for keeping blood sugar under control, and it’s one I’ve spent years recommending.
- Avoid NSAIDs whenever possible. Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are at the top of the list of kidney-harming drugs. Though it’s ok to take them once in a while, avoid taking them too frequently.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...