Kidney Essence: The root of life
A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) text I read recently referred to the kidney’s as “the root of life”. This is because according to TCM, the kidneys store the essence. This essence is given to us by both our parents and established at conception; thus, determining our basic constitution. This kidney essence is involved in growth, development, sexual maturation, conception, pregnancy, menopause, aging, mental vigour and vitality. So, in other words, depending on our individual essence at conception, it can be thought to affect these vital stages going forward. For example, if one or both parents are ill or depleted in their own essence upon your conception, then it can result in a sensitive or more vulnerable constitution (this is definatly not a bad thing, but just needs a little more love). In turn, this can make some people more suspectable to illness or disease if they neglect their health over a period of time, however there are multiple ways you can naturally build and support your kidney essence through life to remain strong and resillient.
Below we will be looking at the kidneys function in western medicine, naturopathic medicine and discussing ways to nourish the kidneys and that beautiful kidney essence through diet, lifestyle and movement therapy.
First of all, let’s look at the kidneys from a physiology standpoint to get an idea of their overall function. The kidneys are involved in regulating water and electrolytes in the blood, blood pressure regulation, red blood cell production, vitamin D conversion and the elimination of toxins and metabolic waste from the body….just to name a few but you get the idea. Located at the mid to low back, sitting on top of these bean-shaped organs are the adrenal glands. These glands produce our main stress hormones such as cortisol, and among others. You also may have heard the terms adrenal fatigue and adrenal exhaustion floating around, and while there is no correct term for this, it is classed as a general state of dysfunction that can occur due to numerous reasons. This in itself is for another post entirely. For the sake of this post, when I refer to the kidneys, I am also referring to the adrenal glands as they are an integrated organ.
In naturopathic medicine, the kidneys are often linked to and can be involved directly in or down the line in a range of conditions of the endocrine system, nervous system and immune system (there are more but let’s keep it simple). Thyroid function, sex hormone production, blood sugar regulation, immunity, sleep, energy, stress tolerance, vitality and stamina as well as vitamin D status, mineral and electrolyte balance, blood pressure and toxin build-up and/or ability to detoxify are some of the pathways involved. Of course, the story is going to be different for each individual but as we practice treating the whole body, it is vital to include all possible connections. If we consider the TCM standpoint it is easy to see the connection of these areas in terms of transition from a child to adult to elderly.
So now we have an idea on how important the function the kidneys are to us, let’s look at some ways you can support them in daily life.
Diet
Hydration
The kidneys are connected to the element of water in TCM and rightly so. As we spoke about earlier the kidneys are involved in water and electrolyte balance as well as toxin and waste excretion, be mindful to keep up water intake emphasising the quality of the water. Investing in a water filter that has re-mineralisation to add back those electrolyte minerals into the water and remove the nasty heavy metals and chemicals.
Foods high in water content include cucumbers, watermelon, rockmelon, oranges, tomatoes, celery and broths (homemade or high quality sourced).
Warming and grounding foods
Focus on aiming for 80% of your diet to be cooked to allow for optimal digestion and assimilation of nutrients to nourish the organs and tissues. Incorporating warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, rosemary, cloves, and star anise to gently stimulate circulation and encouraging blood flow. The use of grounding foods such as all of the root vegetables (sweet potato, carrots, parsnip, swedes etc) energetically “ground” us back into the earth and draw energy down. This is helpful when you are feeling anxious or an overactive, busy mind. These foods naturally also contain high amounts of fibre to nourish the gut.
Protein
Eggs, animal meats, fish, tempeh, tofu etc are suitable choices to provide protein, although being mindful of the quality and quantity as well as protein combining if you are vegan or vegetarian (get in touch if you would like support with this).
Proteins breakdowns to amino acids which are involved in a plethora of pathways, but I will mention here the importance of protein in building hormones, blood and immune cells as well as the repair and regeneration of tissue. Constant stress or disharmony in the body will create inflammation which will speed up the degeneration process. Remember the kidney essence and aging line?
Nutrient-dense foods
High quality, whole foods will, of course, be key here, but I would like to point out some key nutrients to focus on to support kidney and adrenal health.
Vitamin C- Kakadu plum (one of my absolute favs), citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, dark leafy greens, pumpkin and sweet potato.
Magnesium- This is a tricky one as it relies on soil quality and most of us are already magnesium deficient even with a whole food diet. Focus especially on nuts and seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, avocados, beans and legumes.
B vitamins- These water-soluble vitamins are vital for all cell function hence the importance here. Animal meats and eggs, whole grains (try to stick with low inflammatory options such as millet, quinoa and buckwheat), nuts, seeds, beans, legumes and dark green leafy vegetables.
Zinc- Oysters, animal meats, fish, nuts, seeds (esp. pumpkin seeds) and beans/legumes.
Lay off the stimulants
Now I’m not here to say cut the coffee completely, I am whole heartily supportive of a delicious cup of coffee once a day but just be mindful of the amount, quality and your own reaction to it. Get the shakes post-coffee? May not be the best choice for you. Feel nauseous? Also, no! On the other end, do you guzzle all day and feel no effect?? Also, not good! I would recommend one, max two coffees a day and if you have reactions and absolute zero. Remember those stress hormones the glands produce?? Well, caffeine stimulates these even more and can result in a depleted, tired and overproducing gland. The battery is tired! This also goes for other stimulants such as energy drinks, drugs or high caffeine-containing products.
Lifestyle
Balance the nervous system with movement
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) (fight/flight/freeze) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), (rest/digest/repair) is just like the concept of yin and yang. They can seem like polar opposites but work together with one another and it is about creating a balance between to two. To support kidney function, we want to focus slightly more on the PSNS. To encourage this, take part in practices such as meditation, breathwork, rhythmic muscle lengthening exercises (Qi gong, tai chi, yoga, Pilates) as well as practices that have you exhaling against resistance (singing, chanting and sighing). I honestly love this concept.
The more we evoke the PSNS you may find the mind and body are calmer, reduction in anxiety or depression, more emotional resilience and enhanced feelings of trust and safety. It is finding the balance between these more passive movements and more active movements such as running, cycling, dance etc. Both are beneficial when used appropriately for the person and their unique situation.
“A flexible and responsive nervous system builds ‘stress resilience’… the ability to respond to, recover and rebound from challenging events’- Peter Deadman
Self-reflection
As we go along the ups and downs of life, self-reflection it is a beautiful practice to get in to. It may be starting a journal or mental note of how we are feeling and taking in the world around us. The kidneys are linked with our willpower, determination, enthusiasm, spirit of initiative and commitment. Consider how you feel towards those words and how they may come into play in your daily life.
Lowered or under-functioning kidneys may result in feelings of lack of vitalism, low enthusiasm, lethargy, depression or low mood, and inability to follow through or commit to tasks and goals. This is often seen in those who are ‘depleted’ or ‘adrenally fatigued’. Other signs in a more physical sense can manifest as fluid retention, changes in energy, loss of hair, changes in the menstrual cycle, osteoporosis, brain fog, memory loss and exhaustion. Furthermore, the more self-awareness you have the better chance you will have at catching those subtle hints your body throws at you when out of alignment instead of waiting until the issue has gotten worse.
I’m sure you can see it is a complex picture navigating the human body and multiple ways you can connect the pieces. There is no one size fits all and it is a life long practice of connection to one’s self to continue to support and nourish all aspects of the body.
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Inspired readings:
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A comprehensive text. By G. Maciocia.