Is a Kidney Detox Safe? with Juan Calle, MD

Podcast Transcript

John Horton:

Hello, and welcome to another Health Essentials Podcast. I'm John Horton, your host.

Your kidneys serve as your body's natural cleanup crew by filtering and removing waste products from your system. But as good as they are at their job, is it possible they might need a little help to keep themselves tidy and operating at peak efficiency, kind of a kidney detox?

That's what we're going to talk about today with nephrologist Juan Calle. He's one of the many experts at Cleveland Clinic who pop into our weekly podcast to help us better understand our bodies and how they work. So with that in mind, let's see whether a kidney cleanse should be on your to-do list.

Welcome back to the podcast, Dr. Calle. It's always nice to see a familiar face.

Dr. Juan Calle:

No, thank you so much for having me back. I'm shocked that you're actually calling me back. So we'll go ahead and have a little bit of fun like we did the last time.

John Horton:

The last one was so good. We had to bring you back in.

Dr. Juan Calle:

OK, thanks.

John Horton:

We're here today to kind of talk about kidney cleanses. And with the wellness industry booming, kidney detoxes have just really gained in popularity in recent years. It seems like folks just keep searching for different ways to try to boost their health. But when it comes to a kidney cleanse, Dr. Calle, is that a legit quick-fix thing to do?

Dr. Juan Calle:

So honestly, I don't want to finish the podcast right away because otherwise it would be kind of boring. But in reality, the short answer is that there's really no medical evidence to support that. And it's a hot topic, like you said. We do encounter in our clinics very frequently, especially in what I do. I work a little bit more with kidney stones and kidney disease in general. People try to follow that, and again, there's really no good medical evidence or science that backs that up. Some of the cleanses may actually be deleterious from the kidney standpoint, so one has to be very careful in what you read or see out there.

I talk to my patients, families, residents, fellows and students about this all the time. There's not an easy fix to anything in life, and almost everything is a process that takes time. The idea of taking something magical that is going to fix everything at once is probably unrealistic.

John Horton:

Right. And they throw so many claims out there. They say it can improve kidney function and nutrient absorption, remove built-up toxins, reduce your risk of kidney stones, bladder problems and infections, correct hormonal imbalances and even prevent skin breakouts. If they're promising that much, you should probably look at it skeptically.

Dr. Juan Calle:

I agree. When a single product promises that much, it either would be magical and everyone should be using it, or in reality, it probably doesn't work that way. Every patient is different, and the evidence just isn't there.

John Horton:

What kind of damage might happen if you do one of these aggressive kidney detoxes?

Dr. Juan Calle:

For healthy people, the body can handle extras from time to time. But when cleanses become the norm, especially with juicing or dehydration, you may overload your system with metabolites or byproducts that affect the kidneys.

John Horton:

What kinds of programs do people jump on that could be harmful?

Dr. Juan Calle:

People may dehydrate themselves, fast for long periods, then overdo certain foods like spinach, kale, beets, rhubarb or vitamin C. That combination can affect the kidneys, and I’ve personally seen patients suffer because of it.

John Horton:

It sounds like extreme diets focused on one food aren’t what our bodies are built for.

Dr. Juan Calle:

I agree. Balance is key. Any extreme is likely harmful because the body needs a wide range of nutrients.

John Horton:

So what’s driving this push to detox kidneys?

Dr. Juan Calle:

Marketing plays a role, as does the increase in kidney disease. But focusing on just one organ ignores healthy habits like exercise, avoiding ultra-processed foods and maintaining a healthy weight.

John Horton:

So rather than detoxes, lifestyle changes are the way to go.

Dr. Juan Calle:

Exactly. There are cleanses marketed for everything, but many supplements aren’t well monitored, and that’s a big problem.

John Horton:

What are some everyday things people can do to support kidney health?

Dr. Juan Calle:

Lifestyle changes are hard, but they matter. Exercise, fruits and vegetables, the right amount of protein, hydration and avoiding extremes all help.

John Horton:

Hydration is always mentioned. Why is it so important?

Dr. Juan Calle:

Hydration needs vary by season and activity, but staying well hydrated supports kidney function. Exercise, weight management and being cautious with medications also matter.

John Horton:

Especially over-the-counter pain relievers.

Dr. Juan Calle:

Yes. Medications like NSAIDs can be very harmful to kidney function, especially in people with chronic kidney disease.

John Horton:

Are there foods that are especially good for kidney health?

Dr. Juan Calle:

Many plant-based foods are beneficial, but moderation is key. Lemon and lime can help prevent kidney stones, but too much can cause other issues.

John Horton:

Moderation always comes up.

Dr. Juan Calle:

We’ve moved away from moderation toward extremes, and that’s likely contributing to many health problems.

John Horton:

What about fasting? Can it help the kidneys?

Dr. Juan Calle:

There’s no strong evidence to recommend fasting for kidney health. Weight loss can be beneficial if done healthfully, but fasting itself doesn’t improve kidney function.

John Horton:

So kidneys don’t need special detoxes, just less stress.

Dr. Juan Calle:

Exactly. TLC for the kidneys means not harming them, staying active, eating well, managing conditions like diabetes and staying hydrated.

John Horton:

If someone is tempted by a kidney detox product, what’s your advice?

Dr. Juan Calle:

Probably don’t do it. Or if you do, be very cautious and monitor your health to make sure it’s not causing harm.

John Horton:

Great advice. Live healthier and hopefully you won’t need to see a nephrologist.

Dr. Juan Calle:

I hope so. But if you do see me, we’ll say hello.

John Horton:

Dr. Calle, thank you so much for your time and insight today.

Dr. Juan Calle:

Thank you. It was a lot of fun.

John Horton:

Given the importance of your kidneys, it’s best to avoid quick-fix detoxes or cleanses. There’s no solid evidence they work, and they may even cause damage. Staying hydrated, eating well and exercising are the best ways to support kidney health.

If you liked what you heard today, please subscribe and leave a comment. Until next time, be well.

Speaker 3:

Thank you for listening to Health Essentials, brought to you by Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Children’s. To make sure you never miss an episode, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit clevelandclinic.org/hepodcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own physician.