The kidneys are two organs about the size of your fist and are located on opposite sides of the spine just below the rib cage. The kidneys feed waste and excess water into the bladder for removal during urination. The entire urinary tract consists of the kidneys, the ureters that are tubes that run from each kidney into the bladder, and the urethra.
The kidneys perform other less obvious functions too, including:
- Regulating water in the body.
- Maintaining healthy levels of salts and minerals.
- Regulating blood pressure.
- Supporting the production of new blood cells.
- Helping to maintain overall bone strength.
- Producing hormones.
In total, the kidneys process about 50 gallons of fluid each day, with around .5 gallon leaving the body as urine. Without the kidneys, the nervous system, muscles, and other tissue found in the body may not function normally.
Some of the most common lifestyle habits that can contribute to kidney problems include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Race
- Family history of kidney disease
- Abnormal kidney structure
- Older age
Along with healthy lifestyle habits that include abstaining from potentially harmful substances, eating right, exercising, and checking up with your doctor regularly, you may choose to add a supplement to your daily health regimen.
Kidney Supplements
Kidney supplements contain ingredients that are believed to support the healthy functions of the kidneys. Here are a few ingredients that you may want to look for in your supplement and a few recommended brands.
D-Mannose and Cranberry
D-Mannose is a simple sugar found naturally in food and the human body. It is thought to support many areas of the body. These can include the liver, digestive system, and may help to maintain blood sugar levels within the normal range, and may even help to remove bacteria that sometimes sticks to the walls of the bladder and contributes to infections.
Cranberry is also thought to support the kidneys because it contains antioxidants that may help to protect healthy kidney cells, and may also help to regulate calcium and uric acid levels that can cause damage in high levels when found in the kidneys.
Because of how these ingredients work in the body, using supplements that contain these two ingredients may make sense for you. When looking for cranberry and D-mannose together, you simply need to consider CranRx Gummies from Nature’s Way, which has a greater quantity of cranberry extracts and a lesser amount of D-mannose; or D-Mannose and Cranberry Extract from Dr. Mercola, which has more D-mannose and a lesser amount of cranberry.
Of these two supplements, you may find that one is better for your needs than the other. If you experience recurring urinary tract infections, D-mannose may be more important. For general kidney support, you may want to prioritize cranberry.
Butterbur
Butterbur is a flowering shrub that seeks to support healthy blood vessels, muscles, and may help to support a healthy inflammation response in the immune system. Butterbur may also be ideal for supporting a healthy urinary tract and for use in combination with cranberry or D-mannose.
Continence with Flowtrol, Original Formula by Solaray is a butterbur formula with a proprietary blend of flower, fruit, and seed extracts, including cranberry, that may help to support bladder strength, the flow of urine from the body, and overall bladder health.
Specialized Care
If you have other concerns, you may want to consider a more specialized formula from Designs for Health. These supplements are only provided through a qualified healthcare practitioner, so schedule a phone appointment by calling the number listed on the page.
Final Thoughts
The entire urinary tract is important. From the kidneys down to the urethra, using supplements and practicing a healthy lifestyle may be the best way for you to maintain the healthy function and balance in the body.
