The amount of food and drink that we consume has leading role to the proper functioning of the body. Even if it is a healthy food, such as fruits and vegetables, again, the dose is the biggest factor.

Today we will pay attention to coffee intake and in particular the effect of caffeine on the kidneys in the human body.

Due to the connection between coffee intake and high blood pressure, there is a concern about the ability of coffee to cause kidney damages. When the kidneys are stimulated by caffeine, there is an increased excretion of urine along with electrolytes, which causes negative changes in the functioning of the endocrine, cardiovascular and nervous systems.

According to statistics from recent years, urolithiasis is one of the most common kidney diseases among people of all ages and genders around the world. This disease is characterized by the gradual formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder.

Urolithiasis may be a consequence of dependence on caffeinated beverages, in particular coffee (including coffee with milk) and strong tea. Evidence of this are studies performed by Canadian urologists. As a result of a series of experiments, they found that in healthy people who consumed more than three cups of coffee a day, the concentration of calcium compounds in the excreted urine increased sharply within a few days. In addition to calcium, elevated titters of magnesium, citrate, and other substances, directly involved in the formation of kidney stones, were observed in the urine of the patients who took part in the study.

The effect of caffeinated beverages on a person’s urinary system is due to the expressed diuretic effects of coffee, as a result of which is observed a relative dehydration of the body, thickening of the urine tract and the formation of solid elements in it, which eventually turn into stones. Therefore, doctors do not recommend patients with CKD to take caffeinated beverages or at least the amount of them should not exceed the daily recommended dose.

For coffee lovers, the consumption of this drink should be strictly limited and not more than a cup or two per day.

Zinc is one of the main elements important for the immune system. Small amounts of zinc are needed to maintain human health and the proper functioning of the body. It occurs in several systems and biological reactions, which plays a vital role in protein synthesis and helps regulate cell generation in the human body’s immune system. Zinc stimulates the immune system, helps against colds, ear and respiratory infections.

Compared to several other metal ions with common chemical properties, zinc is relatively harmless. Only exposure to high doses has toxic effects, which makes acute zinc intoxication rare. In addition to acute intoxication, long-term high-dose zinc supplements are imprinted on the absorption of copper. Its toxic effects actually extend into copper deficiency.

 When there are low levels of zinc, we often get sick. Supplements with zinc are especially useful in various eye diseases such as macular degeneration, chicken blindness, cataracts.

 It appears that zinc in large amounts adversely affects the human body. A US study at the University of California reveals that there is a link between the cycle in the body and the formation of kidney stones. Plasma zinc is lower in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), but after kidney transplantation, during the postoperative period, the level of the cycle normalizes. Plasma zinc concentrations may be reduced in people of conservative renal therapy and those on hemodialysis.

The daily intake of zinc should not be taken above 40 mg.

Here are some natural sources of zinc:

Oysters

Beef and lamb

Spinach

Crabs, lobsters, shrimp

Beans

Black chocolate

Peanuts

Flaxseed

Vitamins and minerals are substances contained in our food that help our body function properly. Кidneys play an important role in maintaining bone strength by balancing the levels of phosphorus and calcium in the blood. Phosphorus is the second most common mineral in the human body, with approximately 85 percent of it found in bones. It is key to the water-electrolyte balance in the body and has extremely important functions for the formation of healthy bones and teeth. It is an integral part of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the main structure that stores energy in the body, in the structure of DNA and RNA molecules, as well as in the formation of cell membranes.

Phosphorus is absorbed in the small intestine and stored in the bones. It is absorbed by the intestinal epithelium and its homeostasis depends on the kidneys. Therefore, disturbances in phosphate levels are most often due to disturbances in renal function. It is recommended that healthy adults receive between 800 mg and 1200 mg of phosphorus each day. Damaged kidneys do not eliminate enough phosphorus in the urine, which increases the levels of phosphorus in the blood – called hyperphosphatemia.

Because phosphorus is abundant in most foods, its deficiency is rare. Its high content in the blood is more common. Due to the delicate balance between phosphorus and calcium that needs to be maintained, consuming too much phosphorus without adequate dietary calcium intake can have negative consequences.

Phosphorus, calcium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) and their interaction with the kidneys play a role in controlling the level of phosphorus in the blood.

When the kidneys are functioning properly, they maintain phosphorus and calcium in balance in the blood. The kidneys also convert vitamin D into an active hormone (calcitriol), which helps increase the absorption of calcium from the gut into the bloodstream. When the level of calcium in the blood is low, the parathyroid glands (four small glands in the neck) produce more PTH. This causes calcium to be drawn from the bones into the bloodstream. Elevated levels of parathyroid hormone can cause bone problems called renal osteodystrophy.

When there is a kidney problem, high levels of phosphorus in the blood (hyperphosphatemia) are a problem for people with stage 4 and 5 kidney disease, especially stage 5 (also known as end-stage kidney disease or ESRD).

Human body is composed mainly of water, with the help of which oxygen, nutrients and biochemicals are transferred from one place to another. The environment in our body can be alkaline or acidic, which is measured through a decimal scale called pH. When the Ph ratio is from 1.0 to 6.9 is determined as acidic, when 7.0 is neutral and at values ​​from 7.1 to 14 it is alkaline.

As water occupies about 60% of the total weight of the human body, pH levels affect all functions of the body and is often a factor determining overall health condition. An unbalanced pH level is an indicator of too acidic or too alkaline environment for a long period of time. This is a factor in the development of certain degenerative diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and overweight.

Because of the fact that kidneys maintain the levels of electrolytes in our body – those of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, lowering or raising the pH can lead to crystallization of salts in the urine, which results in formation of stones or grit in the bladder and the kidneys.

The food we eat is also alkaline or acidic. According to health experts, acidic foods, those with a lower pH, can make us sick, while alkaline foods, with a higher pH, have a beneficial effect on the body.

For example, fresh fruits and vegetables are alkaline and their consumption prevents the formation of plaque on blood vessels, stops the accumulation of calcium in the urine and the formation of kidney stones.

In general, a diet high in vegetables and fruits, complete with calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and other alkalizing minerals, can help to achieve a balanced pH of the body.

Limiting the consumption of acidic foods can help maintain bone density, prevent the formation of kidney stones and even reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Some acidic foods include refined sugar, hydrogenated fats, dairy products, animal fats, alcohol, coffee, meat, bread and antibiotics.

Through a pH scale it is easy to determine whether the food we consume is acidic or alkaline. By this way, low-pH foods could be easily eliminated from our menu instated of the consumption of healthier alkaline foods, in order to balance the pH levels and follow a healthy diet and habits.

The adrenal glands are two in number, located at the apex of the kidneys, composed of two separate parts. They are part of the human endocrine system, producing hormones necessary for the normal functioning of the body. The adrenal cortex – the outer part of the gland – produces vital hormones such as cortisol (which helps regulate metabolism and helps the body respond to stress) and aldosterone (which helps control blood pressure). The medulla of the adrenal gland – the inner part of the gland – produces non-essential (non-life-sustaining) hormones, such as adrenaline (which helps the body respond to stress).

Anatomy of the adrenal glands

The adrenal glands are triangular in shape, about 1.5 inches high and 3 inches long. They are located on top of each kidney. Each adrenal gland consists of two separate structures – the outer part – the adrenal cortex and the inner part, known as the adrenal medulla.

Adrenal hormones

The adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla have many different functions. One of the main differences between them is that the hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex are vital and those secreted by the adrenal medulla are not.

What are the symptoms of adrenal disorders?

Symptoms of adrenal disorders may include:

dizziness

excessive fatigue

sweating

nausea and vomiting

low blood sugar

low blood pressure, also known as hypotension

dark spots on the skin

muscle and joint pain

weight gain or loss

At the beginning, symptoms of adrenal disorders do not make an impression. But, over time, they usually manifest themselves with greater force. If you periodically experience any of these health problems, it is best to consult a doctor.

Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis or kidney stone disease) are small deposits that build up in the kidneys. The disease could be found accidentally (when there is no pain or crisis) by X-ray of the abdominal area or by ultrasound of the abdominal organs. Kidney stones vary in shape, size and number, ranging in size from a few millimeters to 5-6 cm.

The clinical picture in patients with kidney stones is different and depends on the size and location of the stone itself. Some patients have complaints of dull, slight pain in the lower back, which is not connected with physical activity or body position. In others, kidney stones are presented by changes in the color of urine or frequent urinary tract infections.

Nephrolithiasis may be asymptomatic (without discomfort to the patient). Renal colic is the most common clinical appearance of kidney stone disease, and it occurs most often when a stone begins to move down through the narrowest part of the urinary system.

Types of kidney stones

Very often kidney stones have a mixed chemical composition and are varied in shape and color. Some of them are:

• Calcium oxalate – the most common kidney stones. The main reasons for their formation are: increased absorption of calcium in the small intestine from food, increased excretion of calcium from bones, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D intoxication, dehydration, taking certain medications, increased intake of oxalates with food
• Calcium phosphate stones
• Struvite stones – they are formed in frequent bacterial infections of the urinary tract
• Urate stones (uric acid stones) – formed by increased urinary acid excretion in the urine and in people who do not drink enough fluids