EDEMA: ITS CAUSES & ITS REMEDIES

After the holidays, either due to unusually cold weather and sickness or general lack of movement to preserve energy, people may find themselves host to a few extra pounds.  It's one thing if those few extra pounds are just fat and not swelling from any underlying condition or habit.  Fat can be got rid of.  Swelling stemming from a food allergy or some overindulgence requires another, more focused remedy to alleviate.

In most cases, it is your liver that is implicated in the swelling of your lower leg, feet, and ankle.  The liver is an amazing organ that performs some very complex functions.  Take a look at what it does . . . 

1)  Filters your blood

2)  Makes proteins, including blood-clotting factors (needed to help you heal)

3)  Stores vitamins, sugars, fats, and other nutrients

4)  Helps regulate hormones

5)  Releases chemicals and nutrients into the body when needed

6)  Makes bile needed for digesting fats and much more.

So when you get swelling in your lower extremities, your liver continues to function just not at optimal levels and so one or more of the above functions is impaired and causes edema.  This description of the liver's ducts was interesting:

Tubes, called "bile ducts," connect the liver and another organ, the gallbladder, to the small intestine. The bile that is made by the liver helps to digest fats in the small intestine.

I did not know that the bile ducts had that structural function.  Good to know. 

WHAT IS EDEMA?
It's water retention.  

MedicineNet explains that 

Edema is a swelling, usually of the legs and feet due to the accumulation of excessive fluid in the tissues. The edema that occurs in diseases of the heart, liver, and kidneys is mainly caused by salt retention, which holds the excess fluid in the body.

This doesn't explain much.  It describes edema but doesn't explain its causes or agents and only points to certain organs that might be implicated in swelling.  And by swelling let me be clear, we're talking here about feet and leg swelling.  Both will involve ankle swelling.  Swelling of your lower extremities is serious business.  You don't want to get this. Now not all edema is created equally.  Some edema is light and goes away after a few hours or a few days.  Then there is serious edema that is persistent with red blotches like those you might find in chilblains.  

If you do, treat it seriously--and by that I mean you'll need to incorporate a liver-friendly diet immediately for the short term, say, a week or two.   More than likely swelling in the lower leg has to do with the liver, so the liver is what I will focus on in this article.  Tom Cowan explains that 

[the liver--to which he calls the "inner plant] controls how the fluids circulate in the body, preventing fluid congestions, swelling or dryness. This role is evident in cases of severe pathology of the liver, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis, in which one common sign is edema, especially in the legs, or a[s]cites which is fluid collection in the abdomen. This happens because the liver is not able to maintain a healthy fluid organism, hence stagnant fluid begins to collect, showing up as edema.

CAUSES of EDEMA
MedicineNet says that it's "the accumulation of excessive fluid in the tissues."  Okay, so treatment then should consist of purging or eliminating those excessive fluids, perhaps by diuretics.  Makes sense to me.  But is all swelling the result of excessive fluids?  And why do these fluids tend to collect in the lower extremities?  Cowan points to a couple of agents that cause the liver to dysfunction and produce excessive fluid in the lower extremities.

Statin drugs and Tylenol are two prominent and frequently used drugs that are directly toxic to the liver enzymes responsible for detoxification. 

Tylenol and statins are not the only causes of liver dysfunction.  These are popular demons.  More insidious and less talked-about causes are these 37 causes of ankle swelling.  Remember, I'm talking here about liver dysfunctions.  Swelling, whether in the ankle, feet, or leg, is only the symptom of liver dysfunction. 

Do you recognize any of these possible agents in your life?  Congestives heart failure [very serious], Cirrhosis [again, serious], kidney failure [scary], hypertension [yikes], hypothyroidism [ugh!], peripheral vascular disease [when does it end!], ascites [again, yikes!], lymphatic obstruction.  Whew. Hopefully, most will not contract these conditions.  But even the common ones, like viral infections, are scary.  The H1N1 virus is particularly lethal nowadays given the prevalence of vaccines.  Whether you think vaccines are helpful or not, know that at least initially they make the recipient more infectious.  For that reason alone, I'd stay away from them.  One insightful note from that list of 37 is the remarks about Cirrhosis of the liver:

Cirrhosis is the severe scarring and poor function of the liver caused by long-term exposure to toxins such as alcohol or viral infections.  

When was the last time your doctor stigmatized viral infections the way that the pharmaceutical industry demonizes cirrhosis by alcohol consumption?  That's what I thought.  There are viruses that target exclusively the liver.  Hepatitis, literally, "inflammation of the liver," is of major concern.   but what about other viral infections, sexually transmitted diseases?

When people are looking for remedies, particularly remedies for chronic conditions, they can often grow desperate and try almost anything. And that's fine as long as it works without side effects that are worse than the condition you're trying to treat.  For those who prefer less invasive remedies, and I am assuming that most of you who find this site since prefer. 

So, find the best remedy for edema. And preferably we want to not only treat the symptom but if the swelling is due to some underlying cause and not so much due to salt intake or coffee consumption, then you'd want to know and then find a way to repair that as well. Things like kidney or liver dysfunction are often cited as underlying conditions. Exercise does go a long way in relieving many symptoms and conditions. You may want to make exercise your new food remedy.  That was my attempt at being clever.  Sorry.

RELIEVING FOOT EDEMA WITH FOOD REMEDIES

For me, it is not enough to relieve the symptom of a condition, like swelling.  The above video directs your attention to the affected areas. But perhaps overlooked the liver as a main source of the swelling.  My suggestion is that you treat both the affected or symptomatic area, like the feet and the liver, the cause of the swelling.  Sounds good, no?  

TOPICAL FOOD REMEDIES

Here's the word on parsley I can guarantee you that no one, or surely few folks, in the United States had ever thought of using parsley as a topical cure for edema.  This sounds more like an Ayurvedic treatment, which I like.  

Parsley is not only a tasty condiment, but has gentle diuretic properties and may help relieve periodic swelling in the legs and feet due to fluid retention. It stimulates urine production and acts as a kidney tonic, according to the "Magic and Medicine of Plants." Eat it raw in salads or as a condiment; or, you can buy parsley dried in capsules or as a dried herb and make herbal tea. It is considered safe as long as you follow label directions. Speak to your health practitioner before using parsley if you take diuretics.  

Besides parsely, that article also recommendsd celery seed.  And without telling you why or how, this video from SearchHerbalRemedy.com suggests mustard oil and flax seed.  What I want to know is how these two food remedies reduce the swelling.  What part of the swelling do they act on--excess fluids, interstitial pressure, what?  It also recommends apple cider vinegar.  Perhaps.  I have experienced benefits of this myself following a large protein infusion if you know what I mean.  And Coriander.  So this is the second recommendation I've read/heard on coriander's ability to reduce swelling.  And barley water.  Put feet and legs under running, cold water for 15 minutes.  Okay.  I myself tried this years ago following a basketball injury.  That video also says to drink warm beverages, and its picture looks a lot like hot chocolate.  Probably not what you want to consume if you want to shrink a swollen foot or ankle.  Hot ginger tea, yes.  Hot ginseng tea, perhaps.  Hot green tea, which is a diuretic, yes.  Application of tree tea oil.  Not convinced on this one.  Tea tree oil has really been oversold as a cure-all for different conditions from herniated discs to toothaches. Not convinced.  "Dietary and Lifestyle Changes"?  Well, that is pretty broad.  Although the screen indicts smoking, I am sure that other adjustments in one's daily habit would improve things, like less beer and wine.  Those two beverages have enjoyed a kind of Cadillac infallible status in terms of generating health, wine more so than beer.

FOOD REMEDIES YOU CAN EAT
1)  Cherries uncooked.  Compare the nutritional value of both the sweet and the sour (or tart) cherries here.  Tart cherries are the red cherries. Sweet cherries are the dark ones.
  

There is a pretty good frozen brand from Maine, called Wyman's, that sells a mixture of both tart and sweet cherries.

Cherries are famous amongst naturopathic practitioners for their ability to relieve the pains of arthritis and gout. Researchers from the Michigan State University found that anthocyanins, the same chemicals that give cherries their color, have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. The study showed that these anthocyanins inhibit COX-2 enzymes, which play a key role in the body's production of prostaglandins -- natural chemicals involved in inflammation. Another study affirmed that tart cherries have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that are comparable with prescription drugs.

2)  Turmeric.  This woman says that turmeric stopped her pitting edema in its tracks.  She cites curcumin as "the active ingredient in the spice turmeric that is responsible for the ease of inflammation."  She adds that 

When taking turmeric for anti-inflammation purposes you need a higher dosage than you would get when eating it in food. The extract is a stronger more suitable form for this reason. It is best to get it with Peperine/Bioperine (black pepper) for maximum absorption (also remember to add pepper when cooking with turmeric.  

And then unfortunately she backtracks and retracts her initial claims which are too bad.  

So Turmeric heals edema? I wouldn’t go as far as to say that, but I will say Turmeric is great at reducing inflammation caused by edema and perhaps other factors. There are studies attesting to its anti-inflammatory properties, so it is definitely worth trying right?   

Don't worry.  Turmeric is a kind of wonder drug even without her conditional endorsement.

This video recommends the following 16 food and topical remedies:

1)  Cucumber
2)  Ice
3)  Soak feet in boiled coriander seeds.
4)  Apple cider soaks are also good.  
5)  Warm water.  Hmm.  This would seem to only exacerbate the swelling in my opinion along with the bursting capillaries.  
6)  Mustard oil on the foot.
7)  Place gently heated cabbage leaves on the affected area--feet, ankle, knee, etc.
8)  Boiled corn cob hairs?  Really?
9)  Vitamin E rich foods.  Or Vitamin E capsules. 
10)  Sandalwood oil.
11)  Lemon juice.  I recommend the suggestion by the Corrihers of lemon juice with olive oil.  
12)  Avoid salty and spicy foods.  Can't argue with this.  Remember, only if you're suffering from a condition.  
13)  Garlic.  This would be my first treatment of choice.  Eating raw garlic, chased by a swig of olive oil.  Powerful medicine. 
14)  Drink the water from boiled fennel seeds.  Hmm.  I like fennel. Sounds like it could work.
15)  Walking and swimming.  Absolutely.
16)  Foot massage.

VITAMIN REMEDIES  
1)  Vitamin B6
2)

SUPPLEMENTAL REMEDIES
1)  Schizandra benefits the liver.  You'll need a healthy liver to get rid of edema.  Schizandra is an adaptogen, like ginseng.  That link states that Schizandra "is in the same 'superior' class as other well-known tonic herbs such as Ginseng, Reishi, and Goji berry."  That same article states that Schizandra is the safest way to cleanse the liver.  Oh, really.  Here is what it says . . . 

The unique thing about schizandra is that it not only has the ability to clean the liver of toxins, it also has the ability to cleanse the blood of the waste that has been removed, transporting it safely out of the body. Schizandra is one of the only herbs known to have this dual capability, known as Phase I and Phase II detoxification.

2)  MSM is organic sulfur found in all plants.  It is a compound found in plants.  Can't find it under vitamin, herb, supplement, or any other nutritional classification.  
3)  Horsetail.  I have read and heard about Horsetail before.  This article states that Horsetail removes excess fluids from the body through urination. Exercise helps to remove the excess fluids through perspiration. 

Horsetail is used as a diuretic to remove excess fluids from the body and increase urination. It is also used to help dissolve uric acid kidney stones by increasing the amount of urine produced, keeping uric acid from developing into crystals, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Horsetail may also be helpful in alleviating swelling in the feet and ankles for gout patients, by preventing the deposit of uric acid crystals in the joints. In addition, horsetail may assist in the treatment of urinary tract infections and improving kidney function, which in turn enables the body to better release excess fluids. Horsetail is available as a standardized extract and dried, to make herbal tea. UMMC notes that the recommended dose is 300 mg, 3 times daily. The only form of horsetail that is considered safe for humans is called Equisetum arvense. Check with the herbal expert at the store to ensure you are receiving the best product for your needs. Because horsetail may cause your body to have a decrease in vitamin B-1, you should take a vitamin B supplement along with horsetail. Consult your practitioner if you take diuretics before using horsetail.  

 Sounds like whatever you take for edema, that it must have some sort of diuretic capability, something that will make you eliminate the trapped fluids through urination. 

BAKING SODA GETS PEOPLE OFF DIALYSIS

"6.5 percent of . . . patients treated with sodium bicarbonate required dialysis by the end of the study, compared to 33 percent in a control group."

". . . [K]idneys alone produce . . . [250] grams . . . of bicarbonate per day."

The first headline is remarkable. The second one is important because it is the bicarbonate produced by your kidney that neutralizes acid in your body.  

Baking soda may not be a food, but it certainly is a functional remedy. Okay, then, why do people take for health?

1)  I've written about how baking soda waylays cancer.  Mike Adams has attested to the same.  

2)  Some take it for an upset stomach. 

3)  Baking soda gets people off of dialysis.  [click on that sentence.]

4)  We know it helps to relieve gout. 

5)  We also know that it relieves urinary tract infections.

6)  Peole also take baking soda for uranium or radiation poisoning.

7)  Some take it to balance the pH ratio of alkalinity to acid in their body to reduce acidosis states that are stressful on your body.  Yeah, if you find yourself in a phase where you're eating lots of meat and dairy, products that are both high in protein, you'll want to get some bicarbonate soda in your system.  People love meat. We love the smell of a barbecued meat. Try driving past a burger joint and not be tempted by the smell of their charbroiled burgers.  And who can resist nice, creamy slices of cheese? Or a healthy yogurt?  Or a chilled glass of raw whole milk?  These are healthy for you.  But take note--that these foods have a high protein content.  Nothing wrong with protein.  It's good for bones and heart.  Too much and we tax the kidneys.  So there's that.

It's your kidneys that are the most thankful for a weekly dose of baking soda.  Ah, your kidneys and your pancreas, the two organs that produce bicarbonate soda.  That's right--your own body produces its own reserves of baking soda.  Dr. Sircus explains:

The exocrine section of the pancreas has been greatly ignored in the treatment of diabetes even though its impairment is a well documented condition. The pancreas is primarily responsible for the production of enzymes and bicarbonate necessary for normal digestion of food. Bicarbonate is so important for protecting the kidneys that even the kidneys get into the act of producing bicarbonate and now we know the common denominator between diabetes and kidney disease. When the body is hit with reductions in bicarbonate output by these two organs,’ acid conditions build and then entire body physiology begins to go south. Likewise when acid buildup outstrips these organs normal bicarbonate capacity cellular deterioration begins.  

When you eat those three pastrami sandwiches for three days in a row or in the course of a week, your kidneys and pancreas get overwhelmed and stop producing adequate bicarbonate soda.  One benefit to taking baking soda is that it improves digestion and absorption of protein.  

The study, while small, also found nutritional improvements in its participants, ScienceDaily said.

That's interesting.  If you're absorbing more protein, you don't need to eat as much.  So that's good.  Most of the reports on the studies are again vague and general, always a flaw in most journalism on nutrition.  This comes from NewsMax:

There was no evidence of effect on blood pressure or sodium levels. Some measures of nutritional status/protein metabolism (e.g. SGA, NP NA) were significantly improved by correction in the one trial that looked in these in detail

It's true that baking soda is not a cure.  Perhaps not a cure for anything, so don't treat it as such.  Be smart in your usage of it.  But if you're looking for a short-term, mild cleanse of your kidney and pancreas and intestines, then give it a shot.  So, to be sure:

Baking soda is not a cure for any disease, nor is it a substitute for regular medical care. Be sure to talk to your doctor first to see if ingesting baking soda is right for you and how much is safe. Baking soda is high in sodium and is not safe in high doses nor should it be used over a long period of time. It is also not safe for people who have certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease or edema. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid it unless directed by their doctor. If not dissolved properly or if taken on a full stomach it can cause an upset stomach.

Possible side effects of drinking baking soda in water include stomach cramps and increased thirst. If you notice more serious side effects such as nausea, weakness, slow breathing, mental changes or swelling of the feet, contact your doctor.

"GM salmon . . . [has] already shown that they . . . easily contaminate other fish populations"

The debate on food seems matched only by the fascist debate on climate. In my best Colonel Schultz voice, "You vill accept that CO2 drives up temperatures," though the evidence and trends suggest, no, prove otherwise.  Just as Global warming is forced down our throats with threats to any dissenters, a position that receives the same hostilities as that of a Holocaust denier, we are being squeezed to believe that genetically modified foods are just as healthy as the real thing. I don't know about you, but even farm-raised fish has a terrible smell. And smell and taste both are indicators of nutrient-dense foods.  Talapia is one of the worst offenders.  I have literally gotten sick and weak from eating farm-raised salmon at one off-brand store.  And when I have examined the seafood section in a Vons store in Brea, CA I get almost nauseous looking at the meat that does not teem with nutrients and benefits of omega 3s.

AquaBounty, a lab that genetically modifies its salmon, was very covert in its development of genetically modified salmon, eliciting a lawsuit [from] the Canadian government for producing GM salmon eggs, imported from facilities in Panama.  

 I wonder why. 

Now that the FDA has deemed GM salmon ‘safe for sale,
how will you know if your store [carries] it, [given that] the FDA does not require labeling? AquaBounty’s answer is vague.

That's an excellent question.  So now the man, the customer, the buyer of fish is being treated the same way that the city water departments treats its tax-paying residents--by feeding them a chemical agent, fluouride, without their consent.  Now, fish buyers will get the same treatment from a flourishing of genetically modified fish hatcheries or labs that sell GM salmon that requires no labeling.  How then will the customer know what he is getting--Frankenfood or the real thing?  He won't.

“It is too early to discuss commercialization plans, but there are several paths to market that are being considered,” AquaBounty spokesperson Dave Conley told Civil Eats. [1]

How about the path that satisfies the customer?  Do customers prefer their salmon to come pureed into a finely ground, watery paste?  It doesn't seem like these GM outfits really care.  They are desperate to con a public into thinking that fish doesn't have to be fish to be fish.  That fish don't have to be fished from the sea or the lake or the river to be fish. The GM boys are magicians.  And I for one want none of their magic.

Your grocery store, farmers or fish market won’t have to tell you whether or not you are purchasing GM fish. According to the “voluntary guidelines for GMO labeling” the FDA proposed when it approved the salmon last week, that decision will be left entirely up to the companies selling the fish.

Let's see, so we'll be paying for wild caught but won't know if we get farm raised, GMO, or wild caught?  Is that it?  I think the customer will become remarkably savvy.  He can point to several things about the fish to determine whether it is wild caught or not.  Generally, farm raised salmon is brighter in color from added food coloring.  The fish often smells fishy. The fishier the smell means that it is raised on farms with bad smelling GMO feed.

Stores like Costco have vowed that ‘for now’ they aren’t planning on selling the GM fish, but as Food & Water Watch assistant director Patty Lovera says, the odds that companies will disclose this information are incredibly low. In fact, she has yet to see a food company do so. “The practical effect of voluntary labeling is no labeling.”

CostCo "vows" not to sell GM fish but without labelling how will the customer know?  Does he merely rely on the promise of a large retailer?

There are a few ways to minimize the possibility of eating GM fish, though. Aside from demanding that your grocery store disclose whether or not it is selling the genetically modified variety, the country-of-origin (COOL) label required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has to say where the salmon comes from. Many retailers also label if salmon is farm-raised or wild caught.

Problem with relying on labeling is the government, i.e., the FDA, has given a pass to most food manufacturers.  Labeling is no longer required, particularly with beef.  

This makes no sense.

Though the GM salmon (supposedly grown in captivity), have already shown that they could easily contaminate other fish populations, even brown trout, if you purchase wild caught fish that is NOT grown in Panama, the chances that you’ll be eating GM fish should significantly decrease.

Out of sight, out of mind.  The salmon is all mixed in with other species of salmon--GM, wild caught, and farm-raised. 

Furthermore, if the salmon has been processed and added to other ingredients, like salmon spread or a salmon burger, it is more likely to have been grown with GM salmon.

As of today, according to Center for Food Safety analyst, Jaydee Hanson, the only commercially-grown salmon in Panama is genetically modified.

AquaBounty maintains that its GE salmon will be “traceable.”

Sources:

[1] KQED

Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/will-know-store-selling-gm-salmon/#ixzz3vylnHu6B.  Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety on Facebook

"WTO . . . threatened to allow Mexico and Canada to hit the U.S. with more than $1 billion in tariffs"

Given the fact that the reach of climate change politics is global, and that much of it is run by the international communists, I do not have a soft spot in my heart for the global warming agenda.  I think that it serves sinister agendas and not the ones propagandized in the media.  For a full account of my opinion on that score, please see the documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle.  It's excellent.  It's free.  

On the issue of labelling, I think it's important because of accountability.  I mean it makes no sense really.  Do you think that Microsoft would reject labelling or Marlboro or Nike or Chevrolet?  Hardly.  But apparently the WTO has all the muscle over all the farmers here, Mexico, and Canada.  So the next time you go to the grocery store to get your burger meat or New York steak or T-Bone you won't know if came from Guadalajara, Montreal, or Chicago beef.  Some people are okay with this.  Are you?  

from Blacklisted News.  Check it out.

Some very meaty decisions out of Washington appear to be unhealthy for consumers and the environment.

First, Congress and President Barack Obama teamed up to repeal mandatory country-of-origin labeling for pork and beef products. The labeling requirements were eliminated through an attachment to the omnibus budget bill passed by Congress and signed by Obama earlier this month.

The move was prompted by threats from the World Trade Organization (WTO), which threatened to allow Mexico and Canada to hit the U.S. with more than $1 billion in tariffs if it continued to require beef and pork labeling for foreign producers. The WTO said the labels discriminate against meat from animals raised and slaughtered outside the United States.

The labeling repeal wasn’t the only action by Congress affecting the beef industry. Lawmakers renewed a provision that prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring greenhouse gas emission reports from livestock producers, which are one of the country’s largest sources of methane and carbon dioxide. Livestock producers account for about 15% of the world’s emissions of greenhouse gases, more than come from automobiles.

The legislation means the U.S. government has no way of keeping track how much cattle and dairy farms are contributing to global warming. The government does collect reports from 41 other sectors of the economy, “making the meat industry the only major source of greenhouse gases in the country excluded from filing annual reports,” according to Reveal News.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Country-of-Origin Labels Repealed for Beef, Pork (Courthouse News Service)

U.S. Gives Meat Producers a Pass on Climate Change Emissions (by Nathan Halverson, Center for Investigative Reporting)

World Trade Organization Overrules U.S. Country-of-Origin Rules for Meat Products (by Noel Brinkerhoff and Steve Straehley, AllGov)

Beef Production Far Worse for the Environment than other Animal Products (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

Meat Industry Fights New Regulations Requiring Country-of-Origin Labeling and Forbidding Mixing of Meat from Different Countries (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

Aloe Vera and Kidney Health

"kidney failure . . . isn’t . . . noticeable until the organs lose at least 75% of their function."

By Sirah Dubois

Aloe vera juice is a clear liquid derived from the leaves of the Aloe barbadensis plant. Aloe vera juice contains many nutrients and displays both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Kidney disease has a number of causes and manifestations and sometimes ends in kidney failure if not properly remedied. Kidney failure is life threatening and a medical emergency often requiring kidney dialysis. Consult with your doctor about fluid intake and the pros and cons of aloe vera if you have kidney problems.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera is a species of succulent plant that thrives in arid climates. Juice and a gel-like substance can be derived from its leaves. Aloe vera juice is applied to external wounds because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, but it can also be consumed internally for medicinal purposes such as combating infections, purifying the blood and mitigating gastrointestinal upset, according to the book “Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine” by David Hoffman. Aloe vera juice contains a variety of biologically active compounds.

Medicinal Compounds

Aloe vera juice contains minerals, vitamins, sugars, enzymes, lignins, saponins and anthraquinones, all of which impact your body. According to the “Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine,” lignins allow deep penetration of tissues, saponins exhibit antimicrobial properties, anthraquinones are analgesic and combat pain and compounds called indole acetic acid and gibberellin account for the anti-inflammatory and wound healing behavior of aloe vera juice.

Kidney Disease

According to a survey published in a 2007 edition of the “Journal of the American Medical Association,” kidney disease is one of the top causes of death in the United States, affecting an estimated 13 percent of Americans. However, only one in 10 people know they have kidney failure, because the disease isn’t usually noticeable until the organs lose at least 75 percent of their function. Common symptoms of kidney failure include high blood pressure, malaise and nausea due to toxin and waste buildup in the blood, kidney pain, hormonal disruption and edema.

Aloe Vera and Kidney Disease

According to a study published in a 2004 edition of the “Indian Journal of Experimental Biology,” aloe vera extracts protected the kidneys of rats from significant degenerative effects associated with type 2 diabetes. These degenerative effects were diminished in the kidney tissue of diabetic animals given glibenclamide and aloe leaf gel and pulp extracts.

Caution

MedlinePlus warns that high doses of aloe latex have been linked to kidney failure and other serious conditions. Aloe gel or juice is the clear substance found in the inner part of the aloe leaf, whereas aloe latex is yellow and comes from just under the plant's skin. Some aloe products are made from the whole crushed leaf, so they contain both gel and latex. Consult with your primary care physician before supplementing with aloe vera products.