The kidneys are important organs with many functions in the body, including producing hormones, absorbing minerals, and filtering blood and producing urine. While they are important and kidney failure can be fatal, a human only needs one healthy kidney to survive.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that extract waste from blood, balance body fluids, form urine, and aid in other important functions of the body.

They reside against the back muscles in the upper abdominal cavity. They sit opposite each other on either side of the spine. The right kidney sits a little bit lower than the left to accommodate the liver.

When it comes to components of the urinary system, the kidneys are multi-functional powerhouses of activity, for if the kidneys aren’t working, meaning they don’t filter toxic wastes out of our blood stream (with other functions it does) than the waste products don’t get dumped into the urinary bladder from the renal tubes, called right and left ureters. In human anatomy, the ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle fibers that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. If the kidneys are not working they are not filtering our blood (same principle as filtering beer to make it to perfection, the kidneys do it for our blood to be able to have the cells do their function to the optimal levels with keeping toxins out of the body in preventing many blood problems with more due to acidosis (toxin build up). In the adult, the ureters are usually 25–30 cm (10–12 in) long and ~3–4 mm in diameter.

The kidneys have multiple functions.

Some of the core actions of a healthy kidney or kidneys of a human body include:

• Waste excretion: There are many things your body doesn’t want inside of it. The kidneys filter out toxins, excess salts, and urea (a toxin), a nitrogen-based waste created by cell metabolism.
•  * Urea is an organic chemical compound and is essentially the waste produced by the body after metabolizing protein. Naturally the compound urea is produced when the liver breaks down protein or amino acids, and ammonia, the kidneys then transfer the urea from the blood to the urine, when they do filtering of the blood.
• * Urea is a byproduct of protein metabolism, the ending result.                                                                   *Extra nitrogen is expelled from the body through urea because it is extremely soluble (solid); it is a very efficient process. The average person excretes about 30 grams of urea a day, mostly through urine but a small amount is also secreted in perspiration. Synthetic versions of the chemical compound can be created in liquid or solid form and is often an ingredient found in fertilizers, animal food, and diuretics, just to name a few . Urea is what gives our urine the color yellow.                                                                                                                                                                                                 *In the gastrointestinal tract, blood proteins are broken down into ammonia (could be due to high protein eating to drugs with actual conditions); and goes to the liver converting it to Urea. It is then released into the blood stream where the kidney’s take it up and eliminate it. Urea is then eliminated by the kidney’s, but not produced by it.
• Urea is synthesized in the liver and transported through the blood to the kidneys for removal.

• A Healthy Kidney or Kidneys functions in the human body:

• Water level balancing: As the kidneys are key in the chemical breakdown of urine, they react to changes in the body’s water level throughout the day. As water intake decreases, the kidneys adjust accordingly and leave water in the body instead of helping excrete it which aides in electrolyte balancing in the blood with keeping the body hydrated properly.
• Blood pressure regulation: The kidneys need constant pressure to filter the blood. When it drops too low, the kidneys increase the pressure. One way is by producing a blood vessel-constricting protein (angiotensin) that also signals the body to retain sodium and water. Both the constriction and retention help restore normal blood pressure.
• Red blood cell regulation: When the kidneys don’t get enough oxygen, they send out a distress call in the form of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
• Acid regulation: As cells metabolize, they produce acids. Foods we eat can either increase the acid in our body or neutralize it. If the body is to function properly, it needs to keep a healthy balance of these chemicals. The kidneys do that, too.Because of all of the vital functions the kidneys perform and the toxins they encounter, the kidneys are susceptible to various problems.

• Most people are born with two kidneys, but many people can live on just one. Kidney transplant surgeries with live donors are common medical procedures today.

• Acute kidney failure is a condition in which the kidneys suddenly lose their ability to function properly. This can occur for many reasons, including:

• Infection
• Blood-clotting disorders
• Decreased blood flow caused by low blood pressure
• Autoimmune kidney disorders
• Urinary tract infections
• Complications from pregnancy
• Dehydration.
• Chronic kidney failure – same as acute in that the kidney (s) loses its function.
• Diseases and conditions that commonly cause chronic kidney disease include:

• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Glomerulonephritis (gloe-mer-u-lo-nuh-FRY-tis), an inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli)
• Interstitial nephritis, an inflammation of the kidney’s tubules and surrounding structures
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract, from conditions such as enlarged prostate, kidney stones and some cancers
• Vesicoureteral (ves-ih-koe-yoo-REE-ter-ul) reflux, a condition that causes urine to back up into your kidneys
• Recurrent kidney infection, also called pyelonephritis (pie-uh-lo-nuh-FRY-tis)
• A chronic condition caused the failure to happen called a secondary diagnosis.
• Learn more tomorrow about Acute and Chronic kidney failure.

“When beginning a weight loss diet, it is tempting to try to lose weight as quickly as you can. However, not only are crash or fad diets highly likely to fail, they can also have a significant negative impact on your health.  A low-carb diet is generally used for losing weight. Some low-carb diets may have health benefits beyond weight loss, such as reducing risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. ”

www.healthline.com

“The idea behind the low-carb diet is that decreasing carbs lowers insulin levels, which causes the body to burn stored fat for energy and ultimately leads to weight loss.”

MAYO CLINIC

You should base your diet on these real, unprocessed, low-carb foods.

• Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, chicken and others. Grass-fed is best.
• Fish: Salmon, trout, haddock and many others. Wild-caught fish is best.
• Eggs: Omega-3 enriched or pastured eggs are best.
• Vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and many others.
• Fruits: Apples, oranges, pears, blueberries, strawberries.
• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, etc.
• High-Fat Dairy: Cheese, butter, heavy cream, yogurt.
• Fats and Oils: Coconut oil, butter, lard, olive oil and cod fish liver oil.

If you need to lose weight, be careful with the cheese and nuts because they’re easy to overeat on. Don’t eat more than one piece of fruit per day.

There are just as many approaches to low-carb dieting as there are reasons to do it. But keto, “if it fits your macros” (IIFYM), low-carb paleo, and all the others agree on one thing: Eating low-carb can help you lose fat, increase lean mass (aka muscle), and lower insulin, thereby controlling hunger.[1]

The only drawback of low-carb is that it means rethinking the whole way you eat. No more (or not much) oatmeal, sub sandwiches, or taco Tuesdays. Luckily, there are all kinds of flavor-packed, low-carb foods out there. Even if you don’t want to count macros, sticking primarily to foods from these lists will automatically keep your carb count low.

Low-Carb Vegetables

1. Zucchini

Carb count: 7 grams per 1 medium squash

Juicy zucchini can stand in for a number of high-carb foods. Sub zucchini noodles for pasta, grate it to use as hash browns, or just chop it and sauté it for a quick side.

2. Cauliflower

Carb count: 5 grams per cup

Dubbed the “skinny starch” thanks to its unique texture, cauliflower can be used as a lower-carb alternative for mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, creamy soups, and even pizza crust. Or pulverize a whole raw head in a food processor and use as a substitute for couscous or rice.

3. Swiss Chard

Carb count: 1 gram per cup

Nutrient-dense dark, leafy greens should always be a low-carb addition to your grocery cart, and Swiss chard is no exception. You can steam or sauté the leaves, or use whole, uncooked leaves as an alternative to tortillas when making tacos and wraps.

4. Mushrooms

Carb count: 2 grams per cup

From white to cremini to more exotic varieties, these edible fungi are low in carbs but rich in great umami flavor. Large and meaty Portobello mushroom caps can be used as an alternative to hamburger buns, or as a replacement for gut-busting pizza crust when layered with all your favorite toppings.

5. Celery

Carb count: 1 gram per stalk

Satisfy your craving for crunch with celery, which has next to no carbs or calories since it’s about 95 percent water. Slather it with almond butter for a shot of healthy fat and fiber.

Nutrition Bonus: Like chard, celery is high in vitamin K.

6. Cherry Tomatoes

Carb count: 6 grams per cup

With better flavor than the bland larger tomatoes sold at the supermarket, cherry tomatoes are a convenient way to bolster the nutritional firepower of your diet without any serious carbohydrate backlash. (And yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit, but since they go great in a salad, we give them a pass.)

Pop them in your mouth for a sweet snack, or toss with oil and roast at 400 degrees until they become tender little flavor bombs.

7. Spaghetti Squash

Carb count:  7 grams per cup

Spaghetti squash earns its name. Once cooked, the flesh of the squash pulls apart into slightly nutty-tasting, noodle-like strands, minus the carbohydrate deluge. Top with your favorite protein-rich meat sauce. Unlike spaghetti, this gourd delivers notable amounts of vitamin C, a nutrient shown to help reduce muscle soreness and oxidative damage following intense exercise.[2]

​ ​​Other Low-Carb Veggies

• Radish
• Asparagus
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Arugula
• Bell pepper
• Watercress

Low-Carb Fruits

8. Apricots

Carb count: 8 grams per 2 fruits

While fruits do contain some natural sugars, many are still relatively low in carbs, especially compared to starchy packaged snacks. Apricots only have 4 grams of carbs apiece, and are great as a snack or added to yogurt, salad, or meats like pork and chicken. Plus, orange fruits like apricots are high in beta-carotene, which is good for your brain. [3]

9. Avocado

Carb count:  8 grams per 1/2 avocado

Unlike most of its counterparts in the fruit world—yes, it’s a fruit—avocado is virtually free of sugar. In fact, 75 percent of its carbs come from nondigestible fiber. Avocados are also full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

10. Strawberries

Carb count:  11 grams per cup

Among berries, strawberries contain the least sugar, making them a great option to satisfy a sweet tooth. If you’re concerned about possible pesticide exposure, opt for strawberries labelled “organic.” Strawberries are a stellar source of vitamin C, which may help regular gym-goers avoid coming down with the sniffles.[4]

11. Red Grapefruit

Carb count:  9 grams per 1/2 fruit

Time to pucker up to this lower-carbohydrate fruit option, which supplies about 20 percent less sugar than that found in an orange. Just don’t try to tame its sour power by coating it in sugar. You can count on grapefruit for a dose of immune-boosting vitamin C.

Other Low-Carb Fruits

• Rhubarb
• Watermelon
• Peaches
• Star fruit
• Cantaloupe
• Blackberries

“This year alone, more than 252,700 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S.  Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.  Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,470 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 460 will die each year.”

National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc

“The type of tissue where your breast cancer arises determines how the cancer behaves and what treatments are most effective.”

The American Cancer Society

Breast Cancer “The seven warning signs of cancer”, risk factors regarding cancer, why the USA is the highest in breast cancer and how to decrease breast cancer in and out of America.

Cancer seems like a thunder bolt that it all of a sudden hits us from nowhere, like what happened to my Dad that was in 1999. Than the hit from nowhere makes the patient and significant others suddenly crippled and not prepared for this diagnosis (facing it with little knowledge). No wonder why cancer fears society. To top that alone it is costly, debilitating, depressing, and even fatal, like in my father’s case.

Early detection can vastly improve survival figures, that is not just pertaining to breast cancers but to most diseases period. Delaying to seek advice when changes are recognized is a big NO NO.

Let’s include in this article the seven warning signs of cancer:

*A sore that does not heal ———————————————————————————————-

*Unusual bleeding or discharge—————————————————————————————

*Obvious change in a wart or mole———————————————————————————–

*Change in bowel or bladder habits———————————————————————————-

*Persistent cough or hoarseness————————————————————————————–

*Thickening or lump in the breast or anywhere else in the body———————————————–

*Persistent indigestion or difficulty swallowing——————————————————————-

Instead of getting it wouldn’t you rather PREVENT it period. Remember our disease killers in the USA.     Our #1 killer is cardiovascular our #2 killer is cancer in America!

**Here are some general risk factors for cancer & try to prevent having them in your lives or abusing them (moderation – the key to many things that are not used that way in US). Abuse of anything results in disaster.

1.) Smoking (stop period) including chewing tobacco and dipping snuff.

2.) Diets high in fat or low in fiber. Obesity as well is a risk factor for cancer, odds are high that the diet was high in fat even causing the obesity in the first place.                    

3.) Age is over 50 or too much unresolved stress in your life.

4.) Abuse of alcoholism or inadequate amount of vitamins or minerals in your diet.      Exposure to environmental or occupational cancer causing substances (air, water, radiation, disaster like 9/11, or even food).

5.) Too much radiation from various sources (ex. Sun bathing to close to radiation treatments someone is receiving on a oncology unit, simply Sun overexposure).

6.) Fair complexion (pale) or even family history of cancers in the family (highest risk is within the nuclear family having a mother or father or sibling with cancer).

**Most cancers with heredity in the nuclear family including a bad life style puts that individual at higher probability of inheriting or getting that cancer.**

The American Cancer Society had presented shocking facts that 83% of lung cancer patients in America are caused by smoking (a complete preventable measure). Furthermore they present 30% of cancer deaths in America are due to smoking.

We the people of America can control many factors in our diet and exercise to control diseases period we have want to make the move and if we did disease decrease in time would be outstanding. In the end it would make our economy better with our insurance overall. Ending line. this means less disease, less expense, and meaning better coverage (less out of our pockets financially). For this to even get started we the people in the USA have to be willing to alter diets and exercise to a healthy pattern not a junk food frequently diet or sedentary lifestyle. Help make America a better country for all citizens of all ages. Our government surely hasn’t helped us in prevention tactics to lower statistics in showing less breast cancer significantly.

Looking over the past 35 years data shows very little evidence even with intense efforts and billions of dollars made by our government trying to aim at attempting to improve the treatment of cancer yet has had much overall effect on the most fundamental measure of clinical outcome…death. Cancer as a whole overall has slowly but surely lost ground in the battles and we don’t want to lose the war. This is shown by the rise in age-adjusted mortality rates in the entire population.

We do have many improvements with cancer treatment going from diagnostic tooling advancement with even drugs and drugs combined, a multitude of radiation methods and advanced surgical techniques. However, with all this due to increased cancer research, the government has yet to push the most important ingredient for cancer prevention. For every 3 dollars spent on cancer research, only one dollar goes spent in the area of prevention. When your government representa- tive speaks of further cancer research you may want to find out is it for prevention or treatment. My vote is prevention before getting diagnosed with it. That is like the government waiting for a bomb to land on the USA before taking measures to prevent it. Why wait for the disaster when it can be prevented completely and no mess to deal with. Makes sense? Sure does to me and many.

Take a completely different country in eating alone. Let us look at Japan and their women. They eat a completely different diet than women in the USA. Japanese women have ¼ the amount of breast cancer than American women; is this mainly genetics?   When Japanese women move to the great USA they assume our diets and get the same death rates from breast cancer that American women get when diagnosed with it.   My eyes see diet in America (fast food=JUNK). Moderation if not completely banded out of your diet = fast food. Americans who eat junk food on a regular basis are looking at abusing fast food as oppose to a treating themselves to junk food now and than (this is what we call moderation).

Moderation with anything legal and not abusive to your body (ex. Alcohol or prescribed drugs) is someone with will power. That is what is takes to prevent breast cancer and many other diseases which includes a healthy diet, some regular exercising, keeping your weight ideal to your body mass index, and having the yearly physicals or addressing new symptoms by going to your doctor to have him or she evaluate what it is with the treatment for it. Obese and can’t lose the weight on your own get a MD consult to see what surgery or other options you have to decrease weight.

FIGHT BREAST CANCER AND EVEN DISEASE OVERALL BY PREVENTION!!!!

“You can reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking. It’s also important to follow recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early.”

American Cancer Society

Is there a link between birth control pills and breast cancer?

A number of older studies suggested that birth control pills slightly increased the risk of breast cancer, especially among younger women. In these studies, however, 10 years after discontinuing birth control pills women’s risk of breast cancer returned to the same level as that of women who never used oral contraceptives. Current evidence does not support an increase in breast cancer with birth control pills.

Be vigilant about breast cancer detection. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor. Also, ask your doctor when to begin mammograms and other screenings.

Once you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor works to find out the specifics of your tumor. Using a tissue sample from your breast biopsy or using your tumor if you’ve already undergone surgery, your medical team determines your breast cancer type. This information helps your doctor decide which treatment options are most appropriate for you.

Here’s what’s used to determine your breast cancer type.

Is your cancer invasive or noninvasive?

Whether your cancer is invasive or noninvasive helps your doctor determine whether your cancer may have spread beyond your breast, which treatments are more appropriate for you, and your risk of developing cancer in the same breast or your other breast.

• Noninvasive (in situ) breast cancer. In situ breast cancer refers to cancer in which the cells have remained within their place of origin — they haven’t spread to breast tissue around the duct or lobule. One type of noninvasive cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is considered a precancerous lesion. This means that if it were left in the body, DCIS could eventually develop into an invasive cancer. Another type of noninvasive cancer called lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) isn’t considered precancerous because it won’t eventually evolve into invasive cancer. LCIS does, however, increase the risk of cancer in both breasts.
• Invasive breast cancer. Invasive (infiltrating) breast cancers spread outside the membrane that lines a duct or lobule, invading the surrounding tissues. The cancer cells can then travel to other parts of your body, such as the lymph nodes. If your breast cancer is stage I, II, III or IV, you have invasive breast cancer.

In what part of the breast did your cancer begin?

The type of tissue where your breast cancer arises determines how the cancer behaves and what treatments are most effective. Parts of the breast where cancer begins include:

• Milk ducts. Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. This type of cancer forms in the lining of a milk duct within your breast. The ducts carry breast milk from the lobules, where it’s made, to the nipple.
• Milk-producing lobules. Lobular carcinoma starts in the lobules of the breast, where breast milk is produced. The lobules are connected to the ducts, which carry breast milk to the nipple.
• Connective tissues. Rarely breast cancer can begin in the connective tissue that’s made up of muscles, fat and blood vessels. Cancer that begins in the connective tissue is called sarcoma. Examples of sarcomas that can occur in the breast include phyllodes tumor and angiosarcoma.
•  FYI a complication that can occur with advanced cancer that many of you may be unaware of. Bone metastasis occurs when cancer cells spread from their original site to a location in the bone. The most common types of cancer more likely to spread to bone include breast, prostate and lung cancers.Signs and symptoms of bone metastasis may include the following:
• Bone metastasis can occur in any bone, but more commonly occurs in the pelvis and spine. Bone metastasis may be the first sign that you have cancer, or it may occur years after your cancer treatment is completed, ex. Hodgkins Disease.
•  Bone pain (back and pelvic pain are most common)
• Unexplained broken bones
• Loss of urine and/or bowel function
• Weakness in the legs
• High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea, vomiting and confusion
• The most common problem with metastatic bone cancer is pain and fractures. Metastatic bone cancer usually can’t be cured, but instead the goal is to provide pain relief and control further spread.

• Treatment can make a big difference and may include the following:

  • Medications to repair and build new bone — These medications are similar to those used by people with osteoporosis and can help in building and strengthening your bone.
  • Chemotherapy — Given as a pill or through a vein, used to control and treat cancer that has spread to the bone.
  • Traditional radiation therapy — Radiation is given as external beam therapy to treat the cancer in the bone.
  • Hormone therapy — Medications are used to block hormones (for breast and prostate cancers) that help control the spread of cancer to the bone.
  • Surgery — Used to fix a fracture and stabilize a break from the cancer in the bone.
  • Cryoablation — A special technique that freezes the cancer cells.
  • Radiofrequency ablation — A special technique that heats the cancer cells.
  • Chemoradiation — A form of internal radiation that is given through the vein and travels to the site of bone metastasis and targets the cancer cells.
  • Pain medications — Medications provided with the goal of relieving and controlling pain from bone metastasis.
  • Physical therapy — Exercises may be prescribed to assist in strengthening muscles and providing any assistive devices that may help you (cane, walker, crutches, etc.).If you’re living with metastatic bone cancer, you may find help and resources from a website called Bone Health in Focus. It was established with partners including BreastCancer.org, the National Lung Cancer Partnership and Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network to offer resources that help patients and caregivers understand more about cancer that has spread to the bone (find the site at www.bonehealthinfocus.com). Are you living with cancer that has spread to the bone?
  • Make the changes in your lifestyles including diet if you want to prevent cancer, live long and have a productive life.
  • Go to striveforgoodhealth.com.  and feel free to share your experiences with each other on this blog.