Biology of Humans 6th Edition by Judith Goodenough,Betty McGuire

Exercise 18

The growing "detox industry" markets products advertised to rid the body of accumulated toxins and cleanse eliminatory organs, such as the kidneys. The following excerpts are from Dr. Group's blog about kidney cleanses on the Global Healing Center website (published on June 21, 2014; last updated on June 23, 2014). The full post can be found at: www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/5-kidneycleansing- drinks/ "The kidneys are our organs that filter out toxins and waste from the bloodstream. Because toxins can affect your entire body, there is no question that supporting your kidneys is crucial for keeping your overall health in check. Without a balanced diet, purified drinking water, and body cleansing, toxins can build up and affect the function of the kidneys, liver, and neighboring organs... and may even lead to kidney stones and other problems. "Cleansing the kidneys is a simple process and most cleanses don't require an exhaustive supply of tools or ingredients to work. In fact, just drinking plenty of purified water is the first step toward an effective flush. Water, however, only provides hydration. The following 5 kidney-cleansing drinks may provide that extra cleansing boost." (Dr. Group goes on to describe five cleansing drinks, and then turns to the topic of supplements.) "There's no question that certain nutrients are beneficial for kidney health but many people don't get enough in their diet. That's where kidney cleansing supplements can be helpful. The best ones contain herbs [that] have had their active compounds extracted and enhanced to maximize efficacy. There are a number of herbs out there and a supplement like Renaltrex is a great source for many." Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
Find other sources on whether kidney cleansing is necessary or beneficial. Explain why you chose particular sources over others.