Is garlic good or bad for kidney disease?

“Is garlic good or bad for kidney disease?” is a question I get asked by many patients suffering from kidney diseases. Though used in small quantities, it is an important ingredient in many dishes.

I will try to answer this question in detail mentioning all the benefits of eating garlic for kidney diseases and whether there is any downside of garlic for CKD patients. 

How is garlic good for kidney disease?

Let’s start with the benefits of garlic for kidney patients. Garlic is found in pretty much every house in the world. It can be added to any dish while cooking for extra taste and flavor.

Garlic has a wide range of benefits for kidney patients. Garlic is loaded with nutrients that help the kidney function better.

A study has shown that allicin (a compound derived from crushing garlic) is beneficial for treating severe kidney diseases like CKD.

Studies have also shown that garlic may be helpful in promoting kidney health because of its diuretic properties. It signals the kidney to remove any excess toxins and minerals through urination.

The antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of garlic make it a nutritionally dense food, especially for kidney patients as it helps in preventing further damage to the kidneys. 

High blood pressure is one of the major causes of kidney disease as it can damage the blood vessels in the kidney. When the kidneys are damaged they are unable to function efficiently.

The antioxidant properties of garlic are beneficial not only for patients with kidney disease but also for people suffering from hypertension, as it may reduce oxidative stress on the blood vessels and improve blood flow. 

How garlic can be bad for kidney disease?

Garlic is generally safe for consumption for kidney patients due to its numerous health benefits. It is not very likely that garlic would pose any further risk to the kidneys.

The only thing that might not be ideal for kidney patients is garlic salt or any other processed food items made out of garlic as they might contain high amounts of sodium which should not be eaten in large amounts by a chronic kidney disease patient. 

Eating too much garlic can cause bloating, digestive issues, bad breath, etc. Hence, just because garlic is healthy, it doesn’t mean that it should be eaten in large amounts.

Keep in mind that anything in excess is bad for the body, even water. So, enjoy the addition of garlic to add extra taste and flavor to your meals in normal amounts and avoid overeating it.

Is raw garlic good for kidney disease?

A study done on renal transplant patients indicated that eating raw garlic produced a positive result in reducing LDL cholesterol and triglyceride (fat in the blood) levels.

Hence, raw garlic is not only good for renal patients but also for people suffering from high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Is garlic good for kidney infection?

Garlic can be an effective remedy for kidney infection. Garlic has been used for centuries as a treatment for various diseases such as cough, digestive issues, hemorrhoids, etc. 

A study has shown that garlic could be effective in fighting urinary tract infections (UTI) and other bacterial infections, which is one of the reasons for an infected or an inflamed kidney.

Summary

Garlic is an excellent way to spice up the flavor in your food. As stated above, it has numerous health benefits. It lowers the bad cholesterol, fights off bacterial infections, and also aids in lowering blood pressure.

Garlic may also be useful in helping kidney disease patients to stay away from heart diseases. Therefore, it is an ingredient that should be included in the diet of a kidney patient. 

63 thoughts on “Is garlic good or bad for kidney disease?”

  1. That information was really useful to me, as my husband is on dialysis. We know now that we can eat more porridge (organically grown oats) and that garlic and turmeric are good. We take turmeric in supplement form and garlic in cooking! We eat our porridge with honey and use organic soya ‘milk’.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Hummus is high in potassium. If potassium levels are normal, then a small amount can be consumed occasionally.

      Reply
    • Hi Sunny. As far as I know the role of diet planning is to slow the progression of CKD. Claiming that any diet would reverse CKD may be taking it too far.

      Reply
          • Not to be disrespectful, but near the beginning of this article the fourth subheading posted the question: “Is garlic good for kidney infection?” The answer that was given was “Garlic can be an effective remedy for kidney infection.” “A study has shown that garlic could be effective in fighting urinary tract infections (UTI) and other bacterial infections, which is one of the reasons for an infected or an inflamed kidney.” But when you were asked if garlic is good for “bladder infections”, it appear that you sad “As far as I know it’s unproven.” No offense intended, but that sounds contradictory to say the least. What I mean is, how can garlic be effective for kidney infections and fighting UTIs on the one hand, but you turn around later in this same article and say it’s unproven? After all, the bladder is very much a part of the urinary tract. Right?

  2. This information is very vital as not many people in my country (Papua New Guinea) know the symptoms of kidney disease. I have kidney stones and reading this page has been very helpful and it has taught me how to take care of myself. I’m willing to do alot awareness about the facts I’ve facts from this page.

    Reply
      • I am a CKD patient stage 4 AND WITH CORONARY DISEASE STAGE 3 sometimes Im tired of taking my medicines and thought of just taking fresh crushed garlic, would it be possible? I can feel relief in taking garlic can I STOP TAKING MY MEDICATION? tHANKS FOR YOUR publication/INFO ON THIS
        .

        Reply
      • Reducing creatinine/controlling it requires a multi pronged approach and there is no one medicine that will bring it down in all patients.

        Reply
          • That’s not proven. Apple is a good fruit for kidney patients because of its low potassium content.

          • Have you or someone you know used Apple for that reason? They say an apple has over 465 nutrients and most they can’t identify if I remember correctly . Guess the saying, “ an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is one to remember !😀

  3. Hello Dr. Prashant. My name is Dany Var. I have ckd, my gfr is 70, my creatinie 0.9. Diebetics and high bloodpressure. I am like to have some advice for better treatment. Is Black garlic and or Raw garlic is safe for me to consumes. Thank you.👏👏👏🐝🐝🐝

    Reply
  4. I noticed sign of kidney disease recently, such as back pain, foamy urine and a little of swollen feet.
    A test result showed that there is ++ glucose in my urine and my sugar level is within normal range 6.4, the Dr asked me to come forward after two weeks for another test to be sure.
    Meanwhile, the back pain and the foamy urine still manifest, what can I do in the interim? Thanks for your candid professional advice sir.

    Reply
    • Please do as your doctor has suggested. Meanwhile keep you blood sugars and blood pressure under good control. Nothing more might be needed.

      Reply
  5. Gd day Dok,
    My husband have ckd stage 5, and got 5,, there’s and hope these case, and not dielysis,, pls advise me,,, thank you

    Reply
    • Difficult to advise without going through much more details. Show him to a nephrologist nearby and follow the advice. All the best!

      Reply
  6. My Creatinine Level remains between 4 to 7
    I have a 18 m m Stone in my right kidney
    Now my Sugar is controlled
    HbA1C remain 5.5 to 6
    But B.P is not controlling
    If I take garlic & Ginger
    It drops
    Advise what else I should take

    Reply
    • Low salt intake– not more than half teaspoon per day is important for BP control. Beyond that, you need to consult your doctor for correct advice for BP control.

      Reply
  7. I am 6 month post Kidney Transplanted, how many loves of Garlic and Ginger can I consume on daily basis ? Doctors told me I can not eat them including lemon 🍋. I don’t understand

    Reply
  8. 2 cloves a day. Don’t take it when ur taking blood thinner or when u have bleeding. Other than that it’s good. The super foods, romans, greek, babylonians are using it long time ago. Let thy food be medecine and medecine be thy food.

    Reply
  9. Some years ago my doctor told me that I was diagnosed with HSV2. I was heartbroken, yet those same years I came upon Dr Okosun from Africa, who helped me cure the virus with a natural herbal remedy permanently. We have been lied to all these years that herpes has no cure, which are lies just so they can keep stealing from us medically but my life changed for good after I came across Dr Okosun, cos I always believed all sickness has its treatment. I was treated with natural herbs that eliminated this virus from my body till date. I recommend him to y”all for any drug resistant disease/virus and live healthy again just as he did me.
    drokosun55@gmail.com
    +2349117617336

    Reply
  10. I still don’t know the right words to express my gratitude to this great man Dr Vincent After been diagnosed with herpes 2 months ago, I was given so many health prescriptions and advice with no improvement, I totally lost hope, until I found testimonies of Great Dr Vincent online research and on Facebook, Like anybody would, I was very skeptical about contacting him, but I later did and he opened up to me and told me what was involved and he started the remedies for my health. Thank God, I was cured from herpes by the herbal medication I received from him. I never thought that herpes could be cured from the bottom of my heart. I’m truly grateful, I pray you have a long life so you can help many more people on earth with your herbal medical support, You can reach him via Email dr.vincentherbalhome6@gmail.com Whatsapp Number +2349159559277 Website https://drvincentherbalistcure.weebly.com

    Reply
  11. Dr Vincent healing herbs is 100% guaranteed for herpes,the reason why most people are finding it difficult to cure herpes is because they believe in medical reports and their drugs treatment which are not helpful to cure herpes. Dr Vincent natural roots/herbs are the best remedy which can easily eradicate herpes from your body completely because these simple herbs also cured me within a few weeks. For more information about permanent herpes cure or other health issues contact Dr Vincent via email: dr.vincentherbalhome6@gmail.com or Dm him on whatsapp +2349159559277 website https://drvincentherbalistcure.weebly.com once again thank you so much dr vincent for regaining my health.

    Reply
  12. Dr Vincent healing herbs is 100% guaranteed for herpes, the reason why most people are finding it difficult to cure herpes is because they believe in medical reports and their drugs treatment which are not helpful to cure herpes. Dr Vincent natural roots/herbs are the best remedy which can easily eradicate herpes from your body completely because these simple herbs also cured me within a few weeks. For more information about permanent herpes cure or other health issues contact Dr Vincent via email: dr.vincentherbalhome6@gmail.com or Dm him on whatsapp +2349159559277 website https://drvincentherbalistcure.weebly.com once again thank you so much dr Vincent for regaining my health.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

VIDEO CONSULTATION with Dr.Prashant (Fees Rs.1000)BOOK a video consultation
+ +