Mailbag! The #1 Secret to Healthy Kidneys
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 17, 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.
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here 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
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...