Alkaline water can be good for your kidneys because it raises urine pH, which lowers the acid load that your
kidneys must process and expel. But if you have a history of kidney problems, it’s best to talk to your doctor before starting alkaline water. There are some kidney problems that doctors treat by using medication to tightly control your urine pH, and your doctor may not want you to raise it. For everyone else, alkaline water is an excellent way to help keep your kidneys healthy and working at peak efficiency.
Kidneys and your body’s natural detoxification system
If you are young, and in perfect health, your kidneys probably don’t need a lot of help. But after age 30, your kidney function starts to decline, and if you have a problem losing weight, your kidneys may be overburdened by chronic metabolic acidosis: A temporary condition where your blood pH drops below safe levels. If that is the case, then alkaline water could be a good choice for reducing the acid burden on your kidneys.
Your kidneys are part of the most effective detoxification system in the world. Your entire supply of blood is filtered through them 70 times per day. Your liver breaks down toxins that your kidneys can’t handle so they can be disposed of safely – most of the time. But in conditions of metabolic acidosis, that system loses efficiency, allowing harmful toxins to remain in the blood supply. By drinking alkaline water, you can quickly raise your urine pH (it takes about 30 minutes) and restore your detoxification system’s efficiency.
Important information if you have had kidney stones
There are several different types of kidney stones, the type of stone you had determines how much potential alkaline water has to help you. Below are the different types of kidney stones along with alkaline water’s potential effects:
| Hyperoxaluria – Excessive levels of oxalate in the urine | Beneficial: Alkaline water contains calcium, which binds oxalate. |
| Hypercalciuria – Too much calcium in the urine | Talk to your doctor: Raising your urine pH levels may be helpful. |
| Hypocitraturia – Too little citrate in the urine | May help if combined with citrus juices: May help you absorb citrate. |
| Hyperuricosuria – Too much uric acid in the urine | Beneficial: Alkaline water can help dilute uric acid levels. |
| Low urine pH – Acidic urine | Beneficial: Tell your doctor before you start alkaline water. Your doctor may want to monitor your urine pH levels |
| Calcium Phosphate – Alkaline stone formed by excessive levels of calcium and phosphate | Not helpful: Your doctor may want you to lower your urine pH |
| Struvite – Caused by a bacterial infection that raises urine pH | Not helpful: Your doctor will want to lower your urine pH |
Hydration is beneficial for your kidneys
The main benefit of alkaline water for your kidneys is its superior hydration. Research shows that alkaline water hydrates better than plain water, and your kidneys need a lot of water to stay healthy and function at peak efficiency. For optimal results, plan to drink 2 - 3 liters per day of alkaline water.
The best source of alkaline water is a water ionizer. If you tried to drink 2 – 3 liters per day of bottled alkaline water, it would get expensive quickly, and you wouldn’t get the antioxidant benefit that you get from alkaline water made by a water ionizer. The antioxidant benefit of ionized alkaline water doesn’t keep, so if you want it, you have to drink your alkaline water fresh from the ionizer.
Got questions about a health challenge you have and alkaline water? Call us at 877 236-1470 for a free consultation. Get your questions answered!
References
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Abraham, Guy, and Jorge Flebas. “The effect of daily consumption of 2 liters of electrolyzed water for 2 months on body composition and several physiological parameters in four obese subjects: a preliminary report.” Highbeam Research. Original Internist, 01 Sep 2011. Web. 2 Jul 2013.
<http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-269433201.html>.
Heil, P and Seifert, J. Influence of bottled water on rehydration following a dehydrating bout of cycling exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Springerlink July 2009.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/kn41764j65165u3x/fulltext.pdf
Heil, D. “Acid-base balance and hydration status following consumption of mineral-based alkaline bottled water..” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 13 Sep 2010. Web. 26 Mar 2014.
http://www.jissn.com/content/7/1/29>.
Yoshichika, Kitagawa, Liu Chengwei , and Ding Xiaodong. “The influence of natural mineral water on aquaporin water permeability and human natural killer cell activity.” Science Direct. Science Direct, 27 May 2011. Web. 5 Jul 2013.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X11007005>.
