Benefits of Kidney Supplements
Benefits of Kidney Supplements for Bodybuilders To say that the kidneys are one of the hardest working organs would be an understatement. No big...
To say that the kidneys are one of the hardest working organs would be an understatement.
No bigger than your fist, the kidneys are responsible for removing waste, cleaning blood, regulating blood pressure, and maintaining electrolyte balance – just to name a few things.
No big deal, right?
While these tasks are essential for everyone, they are especially important for bodybuilders and anyone who is pursuing a strenuous weightlifting program.
Why?
Bodybuilding puts a different kind of strain on the body – one that the average person doesn’t quite understand. That means the average body wouldn’t understand it either.
You can combat this stress and strain through a nutrition-packed diet and a focus on optimal recovery, health, and wellness.
But sometimes – most times actually – this isn’t enough, especially if you’re trying to get on the professional stage.
What can you do to give your kidneys that extra boost while maintaining your current bodybuilding routine?
You can take kidney supplements.
Kidney support supplements are specifically designed to optimize and support kidney function. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of kidney supplements, common ingredients to use, and the ideal dosage levels.
Understanding the Benefits of Kidney Supplements
The best supplements for kidney health are formulated with a combination of vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
This unique blend of ingredients is designed to do provide several important benefits:
Supports Detoxification
Kidneys are responsible for removing waste products and toxic compounds like performance-enhancing drugs from the body.
Supplements for kidney health can aid this detoxification process, helping the kidneys perform this vital function more effectively.
For example, ingredients like alpha lipoic acid encourage toxin breakdown and support the natural detoxification process of the kidneys. [1]
Helps with Blood Pressure
The kidneys help with controlling sodium levels, helping to adjust blood volume and pressure. If blood pressure is high, the kidneys can remove more sodium and water to lower it.
The best kidney supplements can help with these processes.
For instance, omega-3 fatty acids have been said to assist with sodium regulation and fluid balance. Both of which are critical factors in maintaining proper blood pressure. [2]
Fights Backs Against Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing these minerals to crystallize and stick together.
It goes without saying but kidney stones can cause significant discomfort and pain when they move through the urinary tract.
Different kidney supplement ingredients can help in the prevention and management of kidney stones.
Organic astragulus extract may help improve kidney function and facilitate the removal of waste, potentially reducing the risk of stone formation.
What’s more, astragalus is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that could alleviate symptoms in the case of kidney stones. [3]
Promotes Better Blood Work
If you’re a competing bodybuilder, there’s one test that you need to pass with flying colors: your blood work test.
Unfortunately, a typical bodybuilding program can release metabolites that wreak havoc on blood work and detoxifying organs alike.
Kidney supplements like beta vulgaris (beetroot extract) can assist with the detoxification process, helping your hit those numbers on your blood work without any eyebrows getting raised.
Beta vulgaris helps with digestion, supporting regular bowel movements to efficiently remove waste and toxins from the body.
It is also rich in dietary nitrates that our bodies can convert into nitric oxide, which widens and relaxes blood vessels, enhancing blood flow to the kidneys and aiding their performance. [4]
Kidney Supplements for Bodybuilders: Why They Matter
For bodybuilders and hardcore weightlifters, the benefits of kidney supplements go beyond maintaining general kidney health. Here’s why:
Protein Overload
You already know you’re eating way more protein than the average person.
Sure, this is fantastic for muscle recovery and growth but it’s also extremely taxing on the kidneys, especially if you’ve been doing it for years.
Eating a lot of protein can lead to increased pressure within the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys. This can cause your kidneys to work harder than normal, potentially causing damage and even leading to protein leaking into your urine. [5]
Kidney supplements can help to support the process of protein metabolism and protect your kidneys.
Dehydration
Want to talk about serious double trouble? Eat too much protein AND skimp on your water intake.
Bodybuilders lose a lot of fluids and electrolytes during intense workouts.
If your hydration and electrolyte levels are thrown off, you’re at a greater risk of becoming dehydrated and developing kidney stones.
This could also hamper your physical performance, leading to fatigue, muscle cramps, and rare but severe health complications.
Kidney supplements encourage healthy fluid balance in the body, which is going to help kidney function while supporting muscle function and temperature regulation.
Anatomy of Kidney Supplements: What's Inside?
The best kidney supplements for bodybuilders should include at least a few of the following ingredients:
Alpha Lipoic Acid: Supports kidney health by aiding detoxification, eliminating toxins, and combating harmful free radicals.
Vitis Vinifera: Also known as grapeseed extract, this antioxidant-rich ingredient protects kidney cells from damage, fights inflammation, and helps maintain healthy blood pressure.
Organic Astragalus Extract: This traditional Chinese herb reduces protein buildup in kidneys, boosts their filtering ability, and strengthens the immune system.
Beta Vulgaris: Promotes blood vessel dilation and controls blood pressure due to its high nitrate content. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits also support kidney health.
AstraGin®: This blend improves kidney function, protects against harmful compounds, and increases supplement absorption in your body.
BioPerine®: This patented black pepper extract boosts nutrient absorption, ensuring that your body fully utilizes each ingredient in the supplement.
Looking for the Best Kidney Supplement?
Not all kidney supplements are created the same.
Even if you manage to find most of the ingredients mentioned above in one supplement, you still have to ask yourself:
- Is it dosed properly?
- Is it approved by the TGA?
- Are professional bodybuilders actually taking this?
There’s a good chance the answer is “NO” to all of those questions.
Thankfully, there is a supplement that contains all the ingredients mentioned above and it’s dosed ABOVE clinical grade standards.
Most importantly, it’s been given the green light by the TGA, and the pros use it.
Introducing Inner Dose: Kidney Support.
References
- Salehi B, Berkay Yılmaz Y, Antika G, Boyunegmez Tumer T, Fawzi Mahomoodally M, Lobine D, Akram M, Riaz M, Capanoglu E, Sharopov F, Martins N, Cho WC, Sharifi-Rad J. Insights on the Use of α-Lipoic Acid for Therapeutic Purposes. Biomolecules. 2019 Aug 9;9(8):356. doi: 10.3390/biom9080356. PMID: 31405030; PMCID: PMC6723188.
- Ahmed MA, Abd El Samad AA. Benefits of omega-3 fatty acid against bone changes in salt-loaded rats: possible role of kidney. Physiol Rep. 2013 Oct;1(5):e00106. doi: 10.1002/phy2.106. Epub 2013 Sep 23. PMID: 24303178; PMCID: PMC3841042.
- Chen SJ, Dalanbaatar S, Chen HY, Wang SJ, Lin WY, Liu PL, Tsai MY, Chen DC, Chen YH, Chen WC. Astragalus membranaceus Extract Prevents Calcium Oxalate Crystallization and Extends Lifespan in a Drosophila Urolithiasis Model. Life (Basel). 2022 Aug 16;12(8):1250. doi: 10.3390/life12081250. PMID: 36013429; PMCID: PMC9409928.
- Kapil V, Khambata RS, Robertson A, Caulfield MJ, Ahluwalia A. Dietary nitrate provides sustained blood pressure lowering in hypertensive patients: a randomized, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Hypertension. 2015 Feb;65(2):320-7. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.04675. Epub 2014 Nov 24. PMID: 25421976; PMCID: PMC4288952.
- Ko GJ, Rhee CM, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Joshi S. The Effects of High-Protein Diets on Kidney Health and Longevity. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Aug;31(8):1667-1679. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2020010028. Epub 2020 Jul 15. PMID: 32669325; PMCID: PMC7460905.
