OpenTube

3 Wellness Traps That Can Damage Your Kidneys

Sean Hashmi, MD

54,983 views

Three wellness extremes can injure kidneys: supplement contamination or megadoses, concentrated high-oxalate diets, and severe muscle injury from exertion.

CHAPTERS
00:00 When wellness habits become risky
01:17 Supplement safety and regulation
02:58 Heavy metals and the protein-powder report
04:02 Vitamin megadoses
05:42 Reviewing and choosing supplements
06:32 Protein intake and kidney disease
07:58 Green smoothies, oxalates and kidney injury
10:26 Detox drinks, electrolytes and excess water
12:20 Overtraining, rhabdomyolysis and NSAIDs
15:36 Training, hydration and a safer routine

CONTEXT AND CLARIFICATIONS
The smoothie story is a published case report: a 65-year-old woman developed oxalate nephropathy after a 10-day cleanse. Prior gastric bypass and prolonged antibiotics were predisposing factors. This does not establish that ordinary smoothies or whole vegetables cause dialysis in most people.
Clean Label Project reported 47% of 160 tested protein powders above at least one selected regulatory threshold; 21% were over twice the Prop 65 lead level. These are results from that sample, not proof that half of all powders cause kidney injury. Prop 65 warning thresholds are not a diagnosis of poisoning.
Review supplement doses and interactions with your clinician. Certification scope differs; no seal guarantees CKD safety.
The approximately doubled vitamin C stone-risk result came from an observational study of Swedish men using high-dose supplements, not a randomized trial proving a universal effect. Lack of the same association in women does not make megadoses harmless. Excess vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia and kidney injury.
Protein targets differ by CKD stage, dialysis, nutritional status and activity. KDIGO generally suggests about 0.8 g/kg/day in adults with CKD G3–G5 and avoiding high intake above 1.3 g/kg/day; dialysis often needs more. Individualize with a renal dietitian.
Boiling and discarding the water can lower soluble oxalate, but the amount varies by vegetable and preparation. A two-minute boil does not guarantee a 50–80% reduction. Normal dietary calcium with meals may reduce oxalate absorption; do not add calcium supplements without advice.
A liter per hour is not a safe hydration target for everyone. CKD, heart failure, medicines and exertion change water handling. Follow any fluid restriction; excessive water can cause dangerous low sodium.
Rhabdomyolysis has many causes, and it does not always cause kidney failure. The video's “100 per day” should not be interpreted as 100 exercise-induced kidney failures daily. The Navy's 12.7/100,000 figure concerns exertional rhabdomyolysis, not all AKI.
An 89-person ultramarathon trial found AKI in 52% with ibuprofen vs 34% with placebo, with wide uncertainty. NSAIDs can increase risk during endurance exercise, especially with CKD or dehydration. Individualize training, recovery, sauna and fasting.

GET HELP
Severe muscle pain or weakness beyond expected soreness, swelling or tea/cola-colored urine after exertion needs prompt medical assessment. Do not wait for every symptom or try to treat suspected rhabdomyolysis by forcing water at home.

WATCH NEXT
Supplements I tell kidney patients to avoid: The Supplements I Tell Kidney Patients to ...
Water intoxication and safe limits: Water Intoxication is Real: How Much Water...

REFERENCES
Smoothie case report: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29203...
Clean Label Project's report: https://cleanlabelproject.org/protein...
Vitamin C cohort: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23381...
Vegetable cooking and oxalate study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15826...
Ibuprofen ultramarathon trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28679...
KDIGO CKD guideline: https://kdigo.org/guidelines/ckd-eval...
CDC rhabdomyolysis symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/rhabdo/sign...

JOIN THE CHANNEL
Become a member for members-only live Q&As and early access:
@seanhashmimd

SUBSCRIBE
@seanhashmimd

NEWSLETTER
Free weekly evidence based health guidance: https://selfprinciple.org/newsletter/

CONNECT
Dr. Sean Hashmi | Website: https://www.seanhashmimd.com/
SELF Principle | Nonprofit: https://selfprinciple.org/
Instagram: Instagram: seanhashmimd
Facebook: Facebook: seanhashmimd

The information in this content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have seen in this content. The views expressed here are my own and do not represent the views of my employer or any affiliated institution.

#KidneyHealth #Wellness #KidneyStones

20 Comments

@SeanHashmiMD Creator 3 months ago Pinned

Most kidney-damaging habits are a dose problem, not the habit itself. The three I see most: mega-dose protein powders, reaching for NSAIDs like ibuprofen for every ache, and stacking handfuls of supplements. For kidneys, more is not safer.

Which of the three caught you off guard? Tell me below.

Members get new videos 48 hours early, plus a monthly live Q and A with Dr. Sean.
Join: https://www.youtube.com/@seanhashmimd/join?utm_campaign=membership

@williamhenry3337 1 year ago

I am on Social Security and Medicare with NO MONEY! I get one bare-bones blood test and physical a year. The medical system waits until AFTER you have an issue before ordering any additional tests. I asked my doctor (licensed MD) for an ApoB test, and she said she didn't know what it was or how to read it. So when all these podcasters say, "Ask your doctor," I just laugh.

@LEDewey_MD 1 year ago

Great overview of potential toxicities to kidneys about which everyone should hear. As a retired physician, I can say that Dr. Hashmi gives no nonsense, up to date, and relevant health information from which everyone can benefit.

@heide-raquelfuss5580 1 year ago

I know a man who is 94 years old and lives alone in Spain in nature in a very old house. He eats veggies from his own garden, has a few chickens and eats eggs also. Now and then a little meat, rice, beans. He does not eat much a day.
He is outside everyday.
Has 2 dogs who walk free.
Has only a wood stove for 1 room where he sleeps, cooks.
No electricity.
No phone.
No car.
Never brushed his teeth and still has all his teeth.
No smoker.
No much wine.
Never had much.
No meds.
No vaccines ever.
No supplements.
Has a stress free live.
Never married.
No kids.

@EastStarc 1 year ago

My mother 88 still eats the same as when I grew up. Veggies daily all in moderation. She is healthy active no meds no stress lives alone in a village but has great social activity and loves church. Has never watched a nutrition video and still likes her green peas out of a can. I'm 62 the same. No meds no overthinking Living happy is a key factor. We never drank or smoke and yes we reap the rewards.

@hn5460 1 year ago

This is one of the most important videos ever posted on YouTube.

@suemichaelsen8486 1 year ago

Thank you, so very much, Dr Hashmi. Your guidance has helped me a great deal. I watched my adopted Mom die of kidney disease from what she ate. Her Middle East Nephron encouraged her to eat as you teach. She tried, had great improvement, then returned to past eating. I've done my best to do right by my kidneys, liver and heart. At 76, I daily: walk 45 mins, 20 modified pull ups, 20 modified push ups, 20 knee lifts, 20 back kicks, 20 outside leg circles, 20 inside leg circles, 40 leg forward lifts, 40 leg side lifts and 3 mins flutter kicks.
Thank you, Dr, for inspiration.

@rolandlickert2904 1 year ago

I take only Vitamine C (500) and D 3 2000 units smoothies since 10 years brush some fruit under running water for 60 second. My kidneys are ok 76 year old .

@nomzijilaji4535 1 year ago

The only doctor that I trust online. I'm a71yr old diagnosed with PKD at 68 and was told I would be on dialysis in a year. His good advice and guidance have helped me improve my eGFR from 28 to 57 even though it fluctuates but at least it stays in stage 3A. Thanks Doc.

@GyllenkroksAve 1 year ago

Minute 8:51 I never understood this eating raw spinach in salads. When I grew up, I was taught by my mother & grandmother to always dip the raw spinach in hot boiling water for an instant and then throw the water away in order to get rid of ”oxalsyra” or something. Afterwards we cooked the spinach in a dish of choice. As a child I wasn’t allowed to nibble on raw spinach. How did this basic knowledge got lost?

@JoeReising 1 year ago

Please speak about D3 and NAC

@stevefiorito5379 1 year ago

I started thinking about the various FDA approved meds, as you started your video, that after passing the FDA approval process, were found to have dangerous side effects, and unknown side effects with long term use. I use a brand that had been recognized for 3rd party testing and for high quality standards. I stick with that brand. I've been sharing my dietary and supplementation data with my doctor for many years. I even had a pharmacist evaluate all of my supplements and meds for possible interactions. I had a dangerous interaction with two meds I was taking ... a well-known side effect and none of my doctors alerted me to that nor did my pharmacist. If I wasn't checking my blood pressure and BPMs daily, the bradycardia would never have been known, in spite of my vertigo and dizziness. I have had a BIG problem with my doctors ... something I shouldn't have to worry about ... with the supps, I know that they could be a problem. I just try to educate myself as best as possible and go for the quality brands.

@yoshuabwambale2070 1 year ago

As always, the most important voice on kidney health

@sheila7814 1 year ago

Berberine, Ca, D3, Fish oil, Turkey tail, Turmeric, …. I feel fantastic. Hopefully the ones I am taking are okay.

@pablozamora3405 11 months ago

I went from a GFR of 52 to 89 in four months. I followed Katherine’s approach which she’s a holistic doctor in YouTube. I had a daily smoothie of kale, apple, and blueberries. Kale was 75% and fruit was 25%. I followed her plant based diet. But I didn’t limit potassium or phosphorus as long as both from plants only. I did limit sodium to 1600 a day and I did avoid refined sugars. I kept protein at 50 grams as I weigh 150 lbs. All plant proteins, specially Tofu and garbanzos. I walked daily for one hour outdoors in the woods. I did bodyweight exercises daily. 100 bodyweight squats, 100 pushups, 100 Australian pull ups. I had protenuria, but no longer have it. She’s a Godsend. Your information is outdated. Has too many restrictions that are no longer valid today. I understand that as a medical doctor you have to worry about getting sued. But the freedom I received from her information truly brought me peace and healing. My nephrologist is in awe as to how my kidneys bounced back after years of CKD. I told him and he said, no… he doesn’t feel it’s that, he believes the medications he prescribed, which I never took , actually did their job.

@megeek727 1 year ago (edited)

I follow a low protein Plant-Based diet and exercise daily. I supplement with B-Complex (B12), Omega-3 (EPA/DHA), Zinc, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Iodine, and Essential Electrolytes. Yes, they are all necessary in my case. I don't use iodized salt. I do all my own food prep. I know the ingredients in everything I consume and maintain a food & beverage log. I confess to having a green tea addiction.

@ron-quicktips 5 months ago

❤ very nicely explained 👌 👏

@ritamcmillan4904 1 year ago

The tip about boiling vegetables to decrease oxalates is a REAL winner!! Thank you!

@dandybufo9664 1 year ago

Almonds and cashew are high on the list of oxalates

@icecreamladydriver1606 1 year ago

Guilty here. I take a lot of supplements but my smoothies consist of unflavored yogurt, frozen strawberries and blueberries, aloe vera juice, heaping teaspoon of beet powder, NAC scoop, magnesium citrate powder and some stevia powder. I hope you will tell me if this is a good smoothie for my kidneys.