Smoothies For Kidney Health, My Review of a Favorite Book

Anyone suffering with failing kidneys knows how hopeless things can seem, especially if we inherited an incurable disease.  The one thing we do have control over is what we eat and drink.  And most of us can do better in that department.  It's imperative to conform our diet to what the kidneys need to keep them functioning.

This book was written by a mother and daughter team.  The mother, Vicki, is the one with the disease and her daughter, a nurse, donated one of her kidneys to her mom.  But before that happened, Vicki strived to keep her kidneys functioning by changing her diet to include healthy smoothies.

On the first page they thank and acknowledge the medical professionals who reviewed the information included, and as I've mentioned, one author is a nurse.  Vicki was able to prolong her kidney function because of this type of diet.  Her story is printed in the beginning pages.  Because of this, and my own research on what to eat, I trust the information provided.

Also a section is included for those already on dialysis.

Between the two women, they have created a book full of information as well as delicious smoothies in a wonderful variety.

I am not a healthcare professional, just a regular person suffering with an incurable, inherited disease.  What I've discovered while researching my own disease is that kidney disease is something many people either have now, or will have in the future - sad to say.

Our poor diet and eating habits are often the contributing cause to a decline in kidney health.  Even if we are born with a disease, like myself, being aware of what we eat and drink, and giving up the bad stuff, can have very beneficial effects that prolong kidney function.

If only I had known about my disease way back in life, I could have been more careful.  Someone in my family passed this on to me, but to my knowledge they didn't even know they had it.

Now, I occasionally share information with those who are looking for some inspiration while dealing with chronic kidney disease.  We can't simply follow the rules for healthy eating like everyone else.  Certain "healthy" food is not necessarily good for us.

Of course with a little imagination anyone can make a smoothie.  The Smoothies For Kidney Health book is not just a recipe book, it is much more.  The recipes are easy to switch up a little according to what food is available, and often I will take ideas and create my own drink.  Even if a particular smoothie doesn't appeal to your taste buds, read the page... or you'll miss the the good info.

Both fruits and vegetables are used, depending on the type of drink you want.  How about a "Salad in a Glass"? When certain fruit is in season in your area, look it up in this book and I guarantee you will find a drink using that fruit!

Did you know that there is a certain kind of cheese that is known to lower blood pressure?  I didn't, but now I do!

Each recipe page gives information about the ingredients used, with nutrient values listed at the bottom.  This is extremely helpful for those of us who must watch our sodium (a biggie for blood pressure), potassium, phosphorus and protein intake.  It's all listed right there!  This is wonderfully helpful.  Also listed at the bottom of the recipe pages are: calories, fat, fiber, and calcium.

Unfortunately I think that many people who find out they have kidney disease are stunned to get that diagnosis.  No one ever told me to be careful of my kidneys.  

This is what I had always heard, and as far as I was concerned, I had no problems at all.

Drinking too much causes liver problems.  

Eating too much fat can clog arteries and cause heart problems.  

Being overweight causes high blood pressure.

Too much sugar causes diabetes.

What we should be hearing is eat right and take care of your kidneys!  And guess what, it will also take care of these other problems.  So much can go wrong in the body when the kidneys aren't working well.

Over the years I've given birth to four children.  I've been to the doctor numerous times.  I've had scans and x-rays and blood drawn.  NOT ONCE did any doctor mention anything about keeping my kidneys running well.  Who thinks about their kidneys?

It is possible to have kidney disease and not know it.  I have had PKD all my life, but never knew until I was in my 50's.  Mine was discovered when I had an emergency appendectomy in 2011.  PKD is usually inherited and if a parent has it, there is a 50/50 chance the child will inherit it.  There is no cure.  Often people don't know they have it until it begins to give them trouble in later years because the cysts grow to uncomfortable sizes.  For more information visit the PKD foundation website.

There are other hereditary kidney diseases, like Alport Syndrome, which is what one of the authors of the Smoothies For Kidney Health book had.  She was lucky to get a transplant, but her experience with staving off kidney failure is how this book came about.

I want to thank the authors of the Smoothies book for their helpful book.  And I especially want to thank them for mentioning PKD in a few places.  

While diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, many of us with bad kidneys have never had diabetes.  We suffer with an inherited form of kidney disease.  In PKD cysts form, and continue to form - and grow - in our kidneys.  I liken it to carrying a bag of water balloons around in my gut.  It's easy to feel tired and heavy and lethargic and that is why nutrition is so important.

Thank you for helping us eat (drink) right which is the first step to feeling better.  Once I began to eat better, I felt better, and then I began to move around more.  Exercise is another thing that helps me feel better. The two go hand in hand.

Thanks for this encouraging book!