Greetings from Shelley, 9-24-07

[shelley]

Hey everyone! How IS everyone? shout out and say hi, tell us how things are going with you!

I'm actually dealing with a lot myself as my kidneys have gotten worse. OH well, it always happens once the kidneys start failing there's nothing much you can do. Mine were always weak and the bad infection I got way back when in military service I think was the first step towards what I'm dealing with now, sigh.

One benefit of this issue is it has taught me how very important electrolytes and baking soda are. When the body's pH balance gets too acidic from the unavoidable by-products of protein-rich foods, then you add in a bit of dehydration and next thing you know you run out of carbonates and calcium to act as base to neutralize acids.

Baking soda replaces the carbonates and calcium replaces calcium. People, this is So Very Necessary! But not likely to become an issue but for maybe once a year for regular folks under fifty, maybe a little more often for meat eaters, body builders, and _lots_ more often for the symptomatic/chronically ill and the elderly. The elderly, especially if they have reduced kidney function, should take in a little baking soda nearly every day, altho it's best if it's in their bath water so they don't overdose on salt.

Now some people on the 'net get down on taking baking soda and warn you that it will "eat your stomach" (which is impossible, someone doesn't know their chemistry) etc. I don't recommend _constantly_ taking baking soda whenever your stomach hurts or you have general gastritis, since often that pain is actually due to not enough stomach acids or not enough bile or gallstones, and the body could possibly respond by making even more stomach acids sometimes, but any other claims about the so-called dangers of baking soda besides overdosing on salts are nonsense.

The body has very specific reasons for raising or lowering stomach acids and this is dependent on more than 5 other minerals! Keep that in mind when the nay sayers make crazy claims about the "dangers" of baking soda or vinegar or what-have-you.

Remember when reading claims and recommendations to ask yourself whether they're being thorough, accounting for all mineral pair balances and all body types in their reasoning.

And please do donate! I've got car insurance due! Yeesh!

Hugz to all,
Shelley

[LILA1963]

I'm so sorry to hear about ur kidneys Shelley ... sigh ...

U r such a gifted, generous and wonderful humain being in general ... please take care of urself and i will keep u in my prayers
HUGSSSSSS

[Corny]

Aw Shelley, that really sucks! I hope everything goes well with your transplants. You're a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, and I'm very grateful for your sharing so much with us.

I hope my donation helps out!

[shelley]

Thanks Corny! Every little bit helps.

[RyanD]

Aww I'm sorry about your kidneys Shelley... that saddens me. You will definitely be in my prayers. *hug back*

[columbo]

shelley, is it true you have to have your kidney's replaced? if so i am truely sorry for you and wish you all the best. if someone were to donate, what would be the best way? as far as taking baking soda for low carbs, how much should somone like me, who is primarily a meat eater, atleast till i get the candida to a comfortable level, take and how often, and what firm of delivery (tablespoon mixed into a water bottle?).

[shelley]

Yep, unfortunately it's true! Anyone can be a kidney donater, just find out which donation/transplant center is nearest you and visit them. To be a good candidate you shouldn't smoke or drink. I'm going to UCLA today and should be on the wait list soon, I just have to prove that I'm healthy enough to survive the operation, which I so totally am!

Baking soda can easily be taken in a small glass of warm water. This will temporarily neutralize stomach acids, so take apart from meals. All you need is a teaspoon, or even half a teaspoon!

Meat and Nut eaters should also take Cal-Mag Fizz, or Cal-Mag-Zinc, occasionally too, especially if they're cutting out milk products, to offset the phosphorus and prevent bone loss! Again, apart from meals unless you want to risk lowering digestive power, which is sometimes okay if you want the calcium to trap the phosphorus so you don't absorb it.

If you have aged parents or grandparents, recommend that they take baking soda/calcium after holiday feasts as it's harder for the aged to replace what digestion loses them. It will majorly help with their aches and pains.

[Pam]

Sorry to hear about your kidneys Shelley, I know what that was like from my mom. Hopefully everything goes well with you as you have done so much for so many people on this site. My prayers are with you.