Naturally Lowering Creatinine Levels with Ayurveda

When it comes to monitoring your kidney health, creatinine levels often tell the story. Normally, your kidneys filter out this waste product. But when your blood tests show elevated creatinine levels, it's a sign that something isn't right with your kidneys.

Many people diagnosed with elevated creatinine levels want to find a more holistic and natural route than what Western medicine typically offers. For these people, Ayurveda, with its focus on finding the root cause and treating it with several different remedies, can be the perfect fit. From Ayurvedic supplements for kidney wellness to lifestyle modifications, Ayurveda's holistic approach is becoming a popular way to support kidney health.

What High Creatinine Levels Mean in Ayurvedic and Modern Medicine

Creatinine is a natural waste product that comes from our muscles' natural wear and tear. Whenever we use our muscles to move around, lift something, or exercise, we produce creatinine.

In normal circumstances, our kidneys are able to keep our creatinine levels fairly steady, even after a hard workout. But when our kidneys aren't able to function at peak performance for a number of reasons, they can't filter out as much creatinine, so it then enters our bloodstream at higher rates.

Modern Medicine's Approach

In Western medicine, this is one of the few circumstances where doctors look for the root cause of elevated creatinine levels to solve the problem. And while some remedies involve a push for dietary changes or increased hydration, the majority of solutions for kidney problems involve prescriptions, steroids, or surgeries.

Ayurveda's Approach

Ayurveda takes a very different approach. It sees elevated creatinine levels as the possible result of a few imbalances within the body.

First, high creatinine levels can come from blocked srotas, or channels. When the Mutravaha Srotas, or urinary channels, become blocked, the kidneys have a much harder time filtering waste products and eliminating them through the urine. These channels can become blocked through excess kapha dosha, accumulated ama, or inflammation.

In addition to blocking the srotas, excess ama is another common culprit of impaired kidney function. Ama, or toxins, accumulate in the body when we have weak agni, or digestive fire. With weak agni comes a steady accumulation of waste that the body can't eliminate. This ama builds up, often settling in the kidneys or urinary system and causing dysfunction.

Another common cause of high creatinine levels is a weakened Apana Vayu. Apana Vayu is a downward-moving energy that is in charge of eliminating waste through the urinary and digestive systems. When functioning well, it supports the proper function of the pelvic organs.

But when Apana Vayu is weak—usually due to poor digestion, an improper diet, or a sedentary lifestyle—the body can't regularly eliminate waste. Your pelvic organs, especially your bladder, become weakened. You may find it difficult to completely empty your bladder or to go long periods between bathroom breaks. This leads to all sorts of kidney problems and elevated creatinine levels.

Ayurvedic Herbs Known to Support Kidney Function

One of the major draws of Ayurveda is its naturalistic remedies for healing the body and managing symptoms. Ayurvedic herbs and supplements are a simple yet highly effective way to help support kidney function.

Several Ayurvedic herbs are known to support kidney function and lower creatinine levels:

• Punarnava: Functions as a natural diuretic to boost urination and flush toxins from the body. It also has natural anti-inflammatory qualities to reduce swelling in the urinary system and unblock the srotas.
  
  
• Gokshura: Another natural diuretic and anti-inflammatory herb, Gokshura's antioxidant properties are also known to help support kidney cells.
  
  
• Varuna: Best known for its ability to help break down kidney stones. Varuna is also helpful in flushing out the urinary system and emptying smaller kidney stones.
  
  
• Palash: This traditional Ayurvedic herb has been associated with the kidneys for centuries. It helps stimulate the removal of ama from the body through the urine and reduces the risk of kidney stones.

The trick to finding powerful Ayurvedic herbs that help support kidney function is to order them from a reputable company. You might think all blends are the same, and the pricier ones aren't worth the cost.

However, it's about far more than just price. The most expensive blends aren't always the best, and neither are the cheapest. Instead, look for a company with a reputable history in Ayurveda—preferably one that offers personal Vaidya consultations online to help you find the best blends for your prakriti, or constitution.

Dietary Guidelines for Supporting Healthy Creatinine Levels

While you may know that diet plays a huge part in our overall health, you might not know that adjusting your diet can be hugely beneficial in lowering your creatinine levels.

In Ayurvedic medicine, dietary adjustments are nearly always included in a Vaidya's recommendation. Ayurveda emphasizes the deep connection between diet, digestion, and overall health. Ayurvedic practitioners are highly knowledgeable in the best diets for supporting kidney health.

Here are some of the best kidney-friendly foods to incorporate into your diet:

• Steamed vegetables: Light and easy to digest, steamed vegetables also reduce ama and boost agni to help the body naturally eliminate excess creatinine.
  
  
• Barley water: Barley water is a natural diuretic that also reduces swelling and blockage in the srotas.
  
  
• Coriander tea: Coriander seeds have powerful detoxifying properties. Coriander also helps filter the kidneys and flush the srotas without irritating the urinary system.

Meanwhile, you might unknowingly be putting several foods into your body that are contributing to poor kidney health.

• Red meat: Red meat is very difficult to digest, creating excess ama and clogging the srotas.
  
  
• Dairy: Especially in heavy or processed forms, dairy products can block the srotas and contribute to weak agni and excess ama. As an alternative, try ghee or small amounts of warmed milk with turmeric.
  
  
• Refined table salt: Processed salt causes thirst and water retention, leading to a sluggish urinary system and vulnerable kidneys. Instead, try small amounts of rock salt.

In addition to incorporating certain foods and eliminating others, Ayurveda recommends sipping warm tea or room-temperature water throughout the day. Overhydration can upset your doshas and burden your kidneys, while ice water weakens agni.

Ayurvedic Lifestyle Practices for Renal Support

Ayurveda also recognizes the strong link between lifestyle and physical health. Implementing healthy lifestyle choices and kidney-specific Ayurvedic recommendations can help your kidneys make major strides in overall health and function.

First, make a point to establish a consistent daily routine, called dinacharya in Ayurveda. Waking up early helps promote the body's natural detoxification rhythms, while setting regular times for sleep and meals aids in consistent digestion and waste elimination throughout the kidneys and urinary system. Dinacharya is also immensely helpful in supporting a balanced and well-functioning Apana Vayu.

Yoga and pranayama, or breathing exercises, are highly beneficial for nearly every health problem. When it comes to the kidneys, pranayama and yoga help encourage movement in the renal system and circulation throughout the body, bringing necessary nutrients to the kidneys.

Last, effectively managing your emotions and stress levels is crucial for optimal kidney health. Stress is recognized around the world for its contribution to chronic illnesses and health problems. Incorporating meditation and grounding rituals into your daily routine can help promote positive emotions and lower stress levels, allowing your body to function at peak performance.

Personalized Ayurvedic Consultations for Kidney Health

Unlike Western medicine, Ayurveda doesn't embrace a one-size-fits-all approach to health. Instead, the best recommendations for any health problem (including elevated creatinine levels) will depend on many different factors.

When looking to manage your creatinine levels and kidney health, the best practice would be to schedule an Ayurvedic online consultation. A Vaidya, or Ayurvedic practitioner, can help you understand your unique prakriti and the herbs, foods, and lifestyle choices that are best suited for your body.

A Vaidya can also create a personalized treatment plan for you that includes panchakarma, or detoxification regimens. Panchakarma can be done for a variety of reasons, but a Vaidya can give you the right detox recommendations to lower ama and creatinine levels while boosting kidney function.

Following Ayurvedic Guidelines to Lower Creatinine Levels

Receiving the news that you have elevated creatinine levels might leave you feeling anxious, scouring the internet and finding worst-case scenarios and inconsistent information. Whether you understand the connection between creatinine levels and kidney health or you've never heard of creatinine before, it doesn't have to be a scary scenario.

You also don't have to turn to synthetic prescriptions and generalized recommendations to improve your kidney health. Ayurveda offers a highly personalized, time-tested approach to help you naturally lower your creatinine levels. With customized help from a Vaidya, you can incorporate many new things into your lifestyle to improve overall kidney function. Best of all, you may find that your stress levels go down along with your creatinine levels.