15d. Urinary Health - General Flashcards
What does the urinary system comprise of?
Kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra
What are the primary functions of the urinary system?
Filter/eliminate waste
Regulate acid-base balance
Maintain fluid/electrolyte balance
Regulate blood volume/pressure
Regulate blood glucose
Activate vit D
Erythropoietin synthesis
What do the kidneys represent from a TCM perspective?
Vitality
Energy - sexual, reproduction, fertility
Nutritional considerations for kidney health
Hydration
Moderate salt intake
Avoid high protein diets
Why is hydration important for urinary health?
Efficient filtration and elimination
Why is moderate salt intake important for urinary health?
High salt linked with immune cell activation
Renal tissue remodelling
Why should high protein diets be avoided for urinary health?
Increases nitrogenous wastes = increases kidney demand
Causes increase in GFR which can damage the kidney structure
What type of protein increases risk of kidney damage?
Animal
Why does animal protein increase the risk of kidney damage?
Increased acid load
Increased phosphates
Increased risk of disruption to gut microbiome causing inflammation
What may cloudy urine indicate?
Infection
What may frothy urine indicate?
Proteinuria
Renal disease
What may frothy urine indicate?
Proteinuria
Renal disease
What may pink/red urine indicate?
Haematuria
(or eaten beetroot!)
