Of all the auto-immune diseases that exist why does one turn into rheumatoid arthritis, one multiple schlerosis or lupus? What makes the body distinguish between the different “kinds” of auto-immune anti-bodies it is going to create in order to attack and torment you? Since I contracted rheumatoid arthritis I have wondered why I contracted RA, why not lupus, or in this case kidney disease? I guess if scientists could figure this out they would probably come close to finding the cure.
Evidence suggests there are genetic links to the different and various kinds of auto-immunity. One example is the Zuni indians, who have a 14% higher rate of kidney disease than the rest of the population, but why? Nobody knows why, but it appears to be a genetic disposition.
It is suspected that kidney disease is caused by an immune system dysfunction. There are two ways in which the immune system can hurt our kidneys, the first is the formation of auto-antibodies, antibodies that attack what they are suppose to defend, and the other is caused by an immune complex dysfunction that forms after an infection such as strep or staph. The garbage that is picked up in the bloodstream because of the infection are then sent to the kidney. It is in the kidney where the body decides whether the garbage can be recycled or if it should be thrown out. What the body can’t use is thrown out, such as trace minerals and amino acids, then they go into the bladder for elimination.
Every once in awhile something occurs which scientists don’t yet understand, in this instance immune complexes that are on their way to the bladder, gets stuck in the kidney which activates your immune system to wage a war inside of the kidney in order to get rid of the “garbage.” Neutrophils, you might remember, are those immune scavengers that swallow up bacteria and dissolve them in a rush to “save you” by secreting enzymes that eat your kidney.
In rapidly occurring kidney disease it is as if a bomb went off and punched holes in the kidney, which in turn dumps the kidney’s waste into the urine. This is what happens when auto-antibodies attack the kidney because the auto-antibodies don’t circulate through-out the bloodstream, they focus on their target and in this instance the target is the kidney.
One theory is that something that the immune system sees as an enemy invader has been deposited into your kidney. The antibody is doing its best, by waging a full-scale war against the enemy but is accidentally targeting your kidney instead. There may be some left over virus traveling through the system, for instance after a bout with pneumonia and when the antibody attacks the half destroyed virus, it also attacks the innocent bystander, the kidney.
The good news is that the kidney has remarkable regenerative abilities, so this is not a death sentence. More than half of all kidney disease triggered by the immune system does not end up in renal failure. Renal failure is the point where you would die because your kidneys would cease to do its job. Sometimes the disease does progress but it is a process that can take up to 30 or 40 years.
Between 85 and 90 percent of all kidney disease is caused by an inappropriate immune response. There is some evidence that shows that a diet low in protein, calories, phosphorus and salt will slow down the rate of renal failure in the progressive form of kidney disease. Case studies have shown that low protein and calorie diet modifies the renal circulation to lower pressure within the kidney’s capillaries which protects the kidney from damage. It also appears to reduce the number of immune complexes that get stuck in the kidney.
Some studies have shown that once your kidney’s get attacked by your own immune system that a diet rich in omega 3’s can help delay the onset of renal failure. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils tend to have a suppressive effect on the immune system.
This is good news for those like the Zuni Indians who have a genetic propensity for this particular auto-immune disease.
Drugs that affect the antibody producing cells have a good affect on some people, and there is a method called plasma exchange where a machine can sift auto- antibodies out of the blood. In other words if you are afflicted with this or any other auto-immune disease scientists are continually working on and finding solutions to these health issues, and that is good news for all of us.
Healing foods for kidney disease
Soybeans
Healing supplements
Healing Nutrients and phytochemicals
Vanadium
www.healingfoodsreference.com
I am not a doctor, the above article is for informational purposes only. If you suspect you have a problem, please contact your health care professional.
Resources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kidneydiseases.html
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/news/kidney_disease_due_to_autoimmunity.htm
Michaud & Feinstein “Fighting Disease”
Art is a very taste specific, which means you likely need an extensive selection to…
Although it's still controversial as to whether vitamin C can protect against colds and flu,…
Collectively, the dracaenas are often called dragon trees or dragon lilies. Although the flowers are…
Carl Karcher was the mind and soul behind the Carl's Jr. Restaurant chain that launched…
You can never go wrong with an Irish pub. Baltimore has many Irish pubs within…
Making an oatmeal facial mask recipe is quite easy to do, as well as, enjoyable.…
This website uses cookies.