Kidneys: Early Signs of Hidden Problems

Dr. Boris Wydoff

The kidneys are a silent organ. Dr. Zalmanov, whose methods I have used in my practice for many years, wrote about hidden kidney problems in 40–50 percent of people in the United States and Europe. A person may feel perfectly well for years, and blood and urine tests may remain within normal ranges — while the blood vessels in the kidneys gradually become less flexible, and the blood is filtered less and less effectively. These changes can develop over ten to fifteen years.

First Signs

The earliest is slight puffiness under the eyes, especially in the morning. Sometimes it is so mild that it causes no concern. Then come fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in the body, and slight swelling toward evening, which is usually blamed on age or a “sedentary job.” Yet the kidneys are often the first to show that the blood is being filtered less effectively.

What Overloads the Kidneys

Too much animal protein is the main source of acidic waste that the kidneys have to eliminate. Sugar and salt cause water retention and interfere with normal cleansing. Not drinking enough clean water forces the kidneys to work with “thicker” material. The simpler the diet, the easier it is for the kidneys to remove what the body does not need.

Three Steps to Give the Kidneys a Break

• Water. Warm in the morning, according to thirst during the day, before meals rather than during them. The kidneys cleanse the blood with water — without it, they have nothing to work with.
• No animal protein, less salt. While giving your kidneys a break, avoid meat and eggs — replace them with vegetables, beans, and mushrooms; reduce ordinary salt, replacing it with lemon juice or Celtic salt.
• Warmth. The kidneys like warmth: do not sit on cold surfaces, keep your lower back covered, and take a warm bath in the evening.

Zalmanov recommended cleansing the kidneys two or three times a year — something important both for people who are ill and for those who are generally considered healthy. I describe the full method in my books; it should be done calmly, step by step, and under a doctor's supervision.

Kidneys and Blood Pressure

The kidneys and blood pressure are directly connected: when the kidney blood vessels become less flexible and blood flow through them decreases, the body raises overall blood pressure to “push” filtration through. That is why persistent hypertension is a reason to think not only about the heart, but also about the kidneys. Give the kidneys a break — and it may become easier for blood pressure to stay within the normal range.

Eyes as an Indicator

Naturopathy looks at the iris of the eye: an experienced iridologist can see early kidney changes long before they show up in tests. But even without iridology, you have a mirror: morning puffiness under the eyes, bags, and dark circles despite getting enough sleep — this is your kidneys talking to you. Do not silence them indiscriminately with diuretic teas: they squeeze water out of the body without addressing the cause.

Warm Baths for the Kidneys

Zalmanov used warmth to restore blood flow to the kidneys: a warm bath at 36–37 degrees for 10–15 minutes in the evening relaxes the blood vessels and makes filtration easier. After the bath, get warm immediately and avoid drafts. Keep your lower back covered in any weather: short jackets in autumn are a gift not to fashion, but to the nephrologist.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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