Renal Wellness | bnherbs

How We Approach Renal Wellness

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Rooted in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, coupled with current clinical research, Bear Nutrition & Herbs has developed expertise in assisting patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to reduce their complications associated with the condition in addition to improving the kidney condition itself.

We use a holistic approach that includes a whole foods foundational meal planning approach, herbal/botanical treatments and other natural lifestyle therapies to achieve quality outcomes and improved kidney health in our patients.

At Bear Nutrition & Herbs our practitioners:

Analyze each patient's unique history, severity of condition and overall health via a comprehensive assessment.
We then create a customized treatment plan, which will help patient's increase their energy level, improve their appetite and sleep quality as well as support reductions in edema and swelling by:
supporting:
restoration of their kidney structure and function
Repair of kidney damage
Addressing various CKD complications

Our comprehensive treatments are effective because we address the root causes of CKD:

Hypertension / High Blood Pressure
Elevated Blood Sugar / Glucose management / Metabolic Syndrome
Anemia and Mineral and Botanicals needed to nourish the blood
Cardiovascular Health and the nutrients that support it
Chronic infections and inflammation commonly associated with CKD patients.

We provide wrap around counseling and coaching support for our nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. This allows us to support our patients every step of the way on their journey to better kidney health.

Our patients can expect weekly "check-ins" via virtual video conferencing, phone calls, email and text that allows for more comprehensive and seamless implementation of our recommendations. This allows our patients greater potential for accurate implementation, adherence and real world success.

Download this as a PDF (share it with 1 or 2 people you know who may need assistance in this area)

Book a comprehensive assessment today

or contact Njeri to answer any questions your may have

Renal Health & Wellness

Renal Friendly Roasted Vegetables (Zucchini and carrots)

10 Steps to Healthy Eating

Mineral Bone Disorder Mgt

Ca Oxalate Kidney Stones

Kidney Health and Wellness is Vast and Varied.

However, in my 18 years of working with this population, I found that following general nutrition guidelines that support fresh, whole foods with vegetables and good quality protein at its base is still the way to go.

Portion sizes and Frequency remain aspects of the diet than can be adjusted and should be considered based on your level of kidney function and your stage in diminished function 1-5.

Click the link to download one of many Newsletters with education and recipes that we use for our food demonstration / cooking classes with Metro Renal and Associates Nephrology Practice in Washington, DC.

Here is another BNH Guide for CKD patients to help successfully navigate Mineral Bone Disorder Management Guide.

Check out the BNH Guide for Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones

Learn More About Kidney Disease, Herbal Therapeutics & Functional Nutrition

Click on this link to view a Power Point Presentation I gave for the Fresenius Kidney Care's Regional Social Worker - Dietitian Meeting exploring "Digestive Supports in Chronic Kidney Disease"

Click here to get the SCRIPT used for this presentation along with more detailed information.

Take a Look and let me know your thoughts.

Click on this link to view a Power Point Presentation I gave for the National Kidney Foundation's Maryland Chapter Council on Renal Nutrition in 2016. I explored the question, "Is There Room for Herbs and Functional Nutrition in Renal?"

Take a Look and let me know your thoughts.

What About Ellimination

Ensuring adequate elimination is key to maintaining health, particularly for CKD patients in all stages. Familiarize yourself with the Bristol Stool Chart and be sure to monitor your elimination for frequency and consistency. Your stool can reveal a lot about your health and dietary needs.

Bristol Stool Chart

We know that form follows function. Consider human teeth. They are designed and highly adapted to chew vegetables. Human are designed to eat vegetables. As such, vegetables should be the base of most all meal plans.

This pyramid provides the visual template to allow us to use Functional Strategies for Improving CardioMetabolic Resilience and as a result help slow the progression of multiple morbidities that increase the risk of developing CKD.

With it we can address ALL 17 of the following Conditions that increase CKD risk and progression:

Decreasing central adiposity
Improving peripheral insulin sensitivity
Reducing inflammatory signaling
Protecting and improving pancreatic beta cell functioning
Reducing postprandial hyperinsulinemia
Reducing lipoprotein atherogenicity
Improve endothelial function
Reducing glycation and the formation and accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts
Modulating and balancing coagulation capacity
Improving mitochondrial efficiency
Reducing oxidative burden
Restoring metabolically favorable gut microbiota
Reduce circulating free fatty acids
Improving appropriate endocrine signaling IGLP1 etc???
Modulating inappropriate HPA Axis regulation and cortisol burden
Maintaining and improving kidney metabolic capacity
Maintaining Circadian Alignment