Treat Your One Million Nephrons With TLC

Why don’t we learn from history? Years ago, Australians began to use mixtures of powders containing Aspirin, codeine, phenacetin and caffeine to ease pain. By the 1970s, 25% of those dying of kidney disease had consumed too much of this powder. They also suffered hardening of arteries (atherosclerosis) and heart attack. Now, Dr. Richard Glassock, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, says that more than half of North Americans over 75 have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidneys, he says, need tender loving care (TLC) to avoid this avoidable common problem. One must never forget the wise counsel of Sir William Osler who remarked, “The one thing that separates man from animals is man’s desire to take pills.” North Americans are too quick to devour pills for every ache and pain. Think twice if you feel you need a painkiller for a headache or other minor pains. Time and nature cure many ills.