New Life Resolution

By: Alison Cullen

Forget about that resolution which only lasts through January and maybe a little of February; why not start something that will see you through the whole year and maybe even last the rest of your life?

Make it something simple – a change that will be easy to implement and obvious in its benefits.

Try starting with water: it makes up so much of our bodies that if we get it right then the positive effect is positively huge.

The kidneys like to have at least 1.5 litres of still, plain water daily, so start by giving them that. Space it out during the day and have it hot or cold as you prefer, but keep it at least 20 minutes away from food to avoid diluting digestive enzymes. For every cup of coffee or ordinary tea, add another cup of water to avoid dehydration. If you are tired and/or retain fluid, then keep ordinary tea down to a couple of cups per day, and leave coffee for high days and holidays to avoid blocking iron and potassium absorption. Fizzy drinks should also be occasional items only. Fill the gaps with herbal teas such as Golden Rod, which support the kidneys and helps to keep the waters flowing smoothly.

For an extra boost for those feeling squidgy with water retention, there is Dandelion - used to release stored fluid. Rich in potassium, Dandelion may taste bitter but it really helps to restore balance to a system overloaded with caffeine and table salt. Too much salt, by the way, is a bad notion for those who want happy kidneys.

For anyone facing recurrent cystitis, drinking sufficient water is vital. Keep caffeine and refined sugar to a minimum and fill up on fresh fruit with its healthy dollops of vitamin C. Uva-ursi is an excellent herb to use to help relieve urinary tract misery – take it at the first sign of trouble and keep it up until you are feeling clear and healthy.

Having a healthy urinary tract, and carrying no excess fluid, makes life a great deal more pleasant – and all with practically no effort. Try it and see.