Kidney Coach

22/11/2025

🧪 N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) & Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury (CI-AKI) 🩺

If you or a loved one requires a scan using contrast dye, this is important to know. 💡

Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury (CI-AKI) is a possible complication of imaging procedures that use contrast dye (such as CT scans, angiograms or MRIs). For some individuals, contrast can be highly nephrotoxic, so supporting the kidneys before and after the procedure is crucial.

One well-researched strategy? N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), thanks to its antioxidant and kidney-protective effects. 🌿

🚩 Who Is at Higher Risk of CI-AKI?

Individuals with any of the following risk factors should be monitored closely:

• Pre-existing kidney disease (eGFR < 60 mL/min)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Dehydration
• Heart failure
• High contrast volume or repeated doses

💚 How NAC Supports Kidney Protection

N-Acetylcysteine may help reduce the risk of CI-AKI by:

✅ Reducing oxidative stress – lowers reactive oxygen species that can damage kidney cells
✅ Improving renal blood flow & oxygenation
✅ Reducing inflammation – helps minimise contrast-induced tissue damage
✅ Improving serum creatinine levels in some studies
✅ Reducing apoptosis & fibrosis
✅ Protecting renal tubules from injury

If you are scheduled for a contrast scan, speak with your healthcare practitioner first about risk reduction and whether NAC may be appropriate for you. 🩺✨

Can N-acetyl Cysteine Prevent Kidney Damage? N-acetylcysteine or NAC is a nutritional supplement that comes from the amino acid cysteine

21/11/2025

🥞 BUCKWHEAT CREPES WITH HONEY 🍯

If you love crepes as much as I do… you're going to adore this nourishing, kidney-friendly version! 😍
Straight from The Kidney Disease Solution recipe collection, delicious, wholesome, and gentle on the kidneys. 💛

Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free, rich in nutrients, and a great alternative for those looking to support gut, heart, and kidney health. These crepes pair beautifully with a drizzle of raw honey, fresh berries, or a dollop of coconut yoghurt. 🙌

✅ Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 2 eggs*
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp Celtic sea salt
• ½ L water
• 3 Tbsp olive oil (for cooking)

✨ Egg substitute:
1 egg = 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed simmered in 3 Tbsp water

👩‍🍳 Method

Add all ingredients to a mixer and blend for 1 minute.

No mixer? Add buckwheat flour to a bowl, then mix in eggs (or flax eggs), oil, and Celtic salt.

Slowly add water while stirring.

Whisk vigorously for 3 minutes until smooth.

Cover the bowl with a cloth and let the mixture rest for 2 hours.

Heat a pan with a little olive oil and cook crepes on both sides until golden.

Serve warm and enjoy every nourishing bite! 💛

💬 If you try this recipe, comment below and let me know how you topped yours!

21/11/2025

🔥 Eating healthy but still missing key nutrients for your kidneys? Let’s fix that FAST.

Hi! I’m Fiona, a fully qualified naturopath, and in this reel, I’m breaking down exactly how to boost cysteine naturally through food without falling into the trap of over-restriction that so many people with CKD face.

Cysteine plays a HUGE role in detoxification, antioxidant defense, kidney repair, and overall nourishment… but most people have no idea whether they’re getting enough. In this clip, we talk about real, practical dietary sources from legumes to whole grains to balanced proteins, so you can support your body without compromising your nutrition.

And I’m joined by the incredible Jessianna Saville, a leading renal nutrition expert who has helped thousands move from fear to confidence by using nutrition as medicine to protect kidney function. Her insights in the full podcast are GOLD. 💛

And in the full podcast, we dive deeper into:
The link between cysteine & Cystatin C
Natural food sources of cysteine
Why over-restricting protein can backfire
NAC for kidney protection
Key research on NAC & kidney health
Patient takeaways you can use TODAY

👇👇👇 Watch full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN8nrzV45bY

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✨ I’d love to know which cysteine-rich foods do YOU include in your diet? Comment below and let’s chat!

20/11/2025

Supplemental Cysteine: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) 🧬✨

Part 2: Why NAC Matters for Kidney Health

Cysteine plays an essential role in the body, especially for those with chronic inflammation or kidney concerns. It supports:

🧫 Protein synthesis
🧽 Detoxification
🛡️ Antioxidant defence
🔗 Metal chelation
🔥 Inflammation regulation

N-acetylcysteine, known as NAC, is a supplemental form of cysteine that is more stable, absorbable, and effective for the body to use.

💛 Why NAC Is So Beneficial

NAC helps the body produce antioxidants and proteins, and is commonly used to support:

• Liver health
• Lung function
• Immune system resilience

Its most well-known benefit?

🌟 NAC helps restore glutathione, one of the body’s most powerful antioxidants that protects cells from damage and stress.

🔥 NAC & Kidney Health

Your kidneys are highly metabolic organs with a dense blood supply, which means they are vulnerable to oxidative stress and inflammation.

By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, NAC may help:

⏳ Slow the progression of kidney damage
❤️ Support healthy blood vessels & circulation
🧬 Protect remaining nephrons (filtering units of the kidneys)

This is where NAC can play a protective and supportive role in kidney health, especially when used as part of an integrative approach.

19/11/2025

Cystatin C & Cysteine – What’s the Link? 🧬🔗💛

Did you know your kidneys are the most cysteine-rich organ in the body?
Cysteine (an amino acid) and Cystatin C (a kidney marker) are closely connected, and understanding both can give a clearer picture of kidney health.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

🧬 Cysteine
A conditionally essential amino acid. Your body can make some, but during stress, inflammation, or kidney disease, you may need more through food.

🩺 Cystatin C
A kidney function marker is now widely recommended alongside creatinine.
It’s often more reliable because it’s not affected by muscle mass or gender and rises earlier when kidney filtration slows.

🔗 How Are Cysteine & Cystatin C Connected?

They support each other in the body:

✨ Cystatin C fuels cysteine-based enzymes
🔁 Those enzymes then support Cystatin C pathways

Together, they help protect cells and maintain kidney function.

✅ What This Means for You

Cystatin C gives a clearer, more accurate measure of kidney filtration

Cysteine-rich foods or supplementation won’t interfere with Cystatin C test results

🥦 Food Sources of Cysteine

Add more of these to support your body naturally:

🍗 Chicken & turkey
🥚 Eggs
🥩 Red meat (limit in later stages of CKD)
🌾 Oats
🥦 Broccoli & Brussels sprouts
🌱 Legumes
🧄 Garlic & onions
🌻 Sunflower seeds

Nourishing your body with cysteine-rich foods may help support antioxidant pathways and kidney health.

19/11/2025

✨ “If you’ve ever wondered why your Cystatin C levels matter WAY more than you think… this one’s for you.”

Hi, I’m Fiona, a fully qualified Naturopath, and in this reel, I’m breaking down the fascinating connection between Cystatin C and Cysteine, and why this relationship gives us a clearer, more accurate window into kidney function.

I’m joined by the incredible Jessianna Saville, a renowned Renal Nutrition Expert who has spent her career helping people move out of fear and into empowerment through nutrition-centered kidney care. Her knowledge and compassion shine through every part of this conversation.

In this reel + the full YouTube episode, we dive into:
🔬 How Cystatin C and Cysteine are biochemically linked
📊 Why Cystatin C is often a better foundational marker for kidney filtration
🧪 The role of Cysteine-based enzymes in keeping Cystatin C in balance
🥦 Natural sources of Cysteine
💊 NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) and kidney protection
📚 Research insights + key patient takeaways

If you’re trying to better understand your labs or want to know what REALLY influences kidney markers, this will give you clarity and confidence.

👇👇👇
🎥 Watch the full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN8nrzV45bY

✨ Here is a 10% OFF Gift Code for you!
Claim it here → https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=KdbBq7&g=QfWJsW

💬 Tell me in the comments. Have you ever had your Cystatin C tested or heard about its link to Cysteine before?

18/11/2025

The Link Between Cysteine & Cystatin C 🧬🔍💛

Cystatin C is a valuable marker that healthcare providers use to assess and monitor kidney function, and it’s often more accurate than creatinine alone.

Here’s why Cystatin C is a powerful tool for understanding kidney health:

💪 1. Independent of Muscle Mass
Unlike creatinine, Cystatin C isn’t influenced by how muscular or frail you are.
This means it gives a clearer picture of kidney health for:
• Very muscular individuals
• Those who are elderly, frail, or have low muscle mass

⏳ 2. Earlier Detection of Kidney Decline
Cystatin C levels rise sooner than creatinine levels when filtration begins to decline, allowing earlier diagnosis and intervention.

📊 3. More Accurate Estimate of True GFR
Cystatin C is filtered only by the kidneys (not secreted), so it reflects true filtration ability more reliably.

👩‍⚕️ 4. Helpful When Creatinine May Be Unreliable
Especially useful for:
• Children
• Elderly
• Malnourished individuals
• Very muscular people
• Amputees

⚠️ 5. A Note on Creatine Supplements
Creatine raises creatinine levels, which can make eGFR look worse than it really is.
If you supplement with creatine, stop it 2 weeks before a kidney function test to avoid a misleading result.

Creatine use can make results appear like stage 1–2 CKD when kidney function may actually be normal, so it’s important to pause it before testing.

17/11/2025

Cysteine & Chronic Kidney Disease 🧬🧠💛

Part 1: What is Cysteine?

Cysteine is a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning your body can produce some of it from methionine. But during periods of stress, inflammation, or kidney disease, your body may not make enough… so dietary intake becomes important 🍽️

Cysteine is more than just a building block for protein; it acts like a biochemical “switch” that activates powerful healing pathways in the body 🔑

Why does it matter for kidney health?

💛 The kidneys are the most cysteine-rich organ in the body
🧽 It drives detoxification
🛡️ It activates the antioxidant system and supports glutathione
🧬 It plays a key role in:
• Protein synthesis
• Detoxification
• Antioxidant defence

Because of these roles, cysteine can influence inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular resilience, crucial factors in chronic kidney disease.

To be continued… 👀
Would you like Part 2 to cover food sources of cysteine, NAC supplementation, or dosing considerations in CKD next?

17/11/2025

✨ “If you’ve ever looked at your labs and thought… what does Cystatin C even mean?! This one’s gonna blow your mind.”

Hi, I’m Fiona, a fully qualified Naturopath, and in this reel, I’m breaking down how Cystatin C actually links to Cysteine and why this connection matters WAY more than most people realize when it comes to protecting kidney function.

I’m joined by the amazing Jessianna Saville, a Renal Nutrition Expert who has helped countless people move out of fear and into empowered kidney health using the power of nutrition. Jess has a gift for making complex science feel simple, practical, and hopeful.

And in the full podcast, we dive deeper into:
🔬 Cysteine & its role in kidney health
📈 Why Cystatin C is now recommended in updated clinical guidelines
💡 How Cystatin C & Cysteine connect through enzyme pathways
🥦 Natural dietary sources of Cysteine
🧪 NAC & kidney protection
📚 Research on NAC and Cysteine
💊 Key takeaways patients can actually use

In this reel clip, Jess explains how Cystatin C is a more sensitive, reliable marker because it’s freely filtered, reabsorbed by the tubules, and not affected by muscle mass or gender, giving a clearer picture of your true filtration rate.

👇👇👇
🎥 Watch full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN8nrzV45bY

✨ Here is a 10% OFF Gift Code for you!
Claim it → https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=KdbBq7&g=QfWJsW

💬 I’d love to know. Have you ever had your Cystatin C tested? Or was this your first time hearing about its link to Cysteine? Drop a comment!

16/11/2025

Tools for Emotional & Spiritual Resilience 🌿🧘‍♀️✨

These practices aren’t about avoiding pain or suppressing emotions; they help you move through challenges with more awareness, compassion, and inner strength.

Here are powerful tools that support emotional + spiritual resilience:

🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness & meditation
🙏 Prayer or intentional connection to a higher source
💨 Breathwork to regulate your nervous system
🧎‍♀️ Gentle or kidney-friendly yoga to support the body
🌼 Gratitude to shift your emotional state
📝 Journaling for self-reflection and release
🌟 Visualisation to strengthen belief and inner healing
🤝 Sharing your journey with trusted friends, mentors, or support groups
🌳 Time in nature - walking, gardening, or sitting in stillness
🦶 Earthing/grounding - barefoot on the earth to restore balance

These practices help you cultivate compassion, deepen your connection to yourself and others, and nourish your relationship with something greater than you 🕊️

Which of these have you tried, and which would you like to explore next? ✨

15/11/2025

Redefine What Health & Success Truly Mean 🌿✨

You are allowed to challenge society’s narrow definition of “health” and “success.”

Health isn’t only about lab numbers or a perfect report, it’s about how you live, love, grow, and show up for yourself 💛

True success looks like:

🌱 Celebrating the small wins
🍽️ Nourishing yourself with mindful choices
📅 Attending your appointments with self-respect
😊 Finding moments of joy despite the challenges

Success isn’t about achieving perfect health…
It’s about living in alignment with your purpose, your values, and your truth ✨

A big part of this journey is letting go of the victim mindset.
It’s human to ask, “Why me?” Honour that feeling without staying in it.

With time, you can choose to step into your power and see yourself as a survivor, a warrior, a student of life… not a victim 🦋

Try anchoring into daily reminders like:
📝 “I am more than my illness. I grow through every challenge.”
These small mindset shifts create big internal change.

You’re doing better than you think. Keep going. 💫

15/11/2025

✨ “Ever wondered why one tiny amino acid can make such a HUGE difference to your kidney health?”

Hi, I’m Fiona, a fully qualified Naturopath, and in this reel, I’m breaking down the real role of Cysteine, a powerful amino acid that acts less like a building block… and more like a chemical switch that turns on your body’s antioxidant and detox pathways.

I’m joined by the amazing Jessianna Saville, a highly respected Renal Nutrition Expert who has dedicated her career to helping people move out of fear and into confidence when it comes to preserving kidney function through nutrition. Her passion for empowerment and evidence-based care truly shines in this conversation.

In the full YouTube podcast, we dive into:
🔬 Cysteine & its role in kidney health
📉 The connection between Cysteine & Cystatin C
🥦 Natural dietary sources of Cysteine
🧬 How Cysteine supports detoxification and antioxidant defense
💊 NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) for kidney protection
📚 Research studies on NAC & kidney outcomes
💡 Key takeaways you must know as a patient

If you’re someone who wants to protect your kidney health, boost cellular detoxification, or understand how amino acids influence your labs, this is for you.

👇👇👇
🎥 Watch the full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN8nrzV45bY

✨ Here is a 10% OFF Gift Code for you!
Claim it here → https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=KdbBq7&g=QfWJsW

💬 I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever looked into Cysteine or NAC before? Drop a comment and let’s chat!