Skin Health and the Kidneys

The following information has been gathered and compiled through personal experience while traveling, teaching T'ai Chi, Qi Gong, Chinese Herbal medicine, martial arts and other health related subjects. The article also contains feedback from students and anecdotal information from readers of my columns. The following are my opinions and deductions from those sources.

The kidneys are one of our primary organs of elimination. In order to improve our complexion and eliminate skin problems, we need to strengthen our kidneys. There are whole foods that have proven to be beneficial to the kidneys and kidney health.

The best approach to overall health is not to wait until our health is compromised. Prevention can eliminate a lot of pains and financial burdens.

Most people never experience any symptoms of kidney problems, including kidney disease, until approximately 90% of the kidney function is compromised. Most people who have high blood pressure problems are on some form of medication that involves the kidneys. The kidneys release a hormone that regulates blood pressure and the kidneys also regulate the water balance (bodily fluid retention) which is directly tied to blood pressure. The above information stresses the importance of sufficient water in the system and the need for drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. Nothing, not sodas, alcohol, coffee, fruit juices or electrolyte drinks, replace water at the cellular level. Diuretics also directly effect the kidneys. If you're on these drugs and suffer from skin problems, you need to consider talking to your health care provider concerning your kidney health.

Certain foods irritate the kidneys or complicate kidney problems. Chocolate and cocoa, spinach, rhubarb, tea, Lamb's quarters, sour grass, and sorrel, buckwheat, star fruit (carambola), black pepper, parsley, poppy seed, amaranth, chard, beets, most nuts, most berries and beans all contain oxalic acid which can accumulate in the kidneys, irritate kidney tissue and promote kidney stones. Any food that gives you a gritty mouth feeling when eaten, probably contains oxalic acid.