When you think about chronic disease, the kidneys are not at the top of your list of things to worry about, or so you think. The kidneys have a greater influence on your health than you realize. And if you have diabetes, some form of heart disease, or have a family history of kidney disease, your kidneys could be at risk.
What Do The Kidneys Do?
The kidneys are vital organs in the body that help to remove waste and control bodily fluids. They help remove excess waste and water via urination, and their ability to do that helps maintain an internal balance of chemicals and nutrients. When kidney function is impaired, you run the risk of developing life-threatening complications, including chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and more.
Your kidneys work every day to keep you healthy. Some medical experts argue that they are the hardest working organs in the body. Return the favor and show your kidneys some love with these helpful tips.
Hydration Is Crucial
Water is life, people. It helps deliver essential nutrients to the kidneys, in addition to aiding the removal of waste from your kidneys to your bladder in the form of urine. Your urine is often a good indicator of how hydrated you are. It should be straw-colored; a darker yellow is often a sign of dehydration. We recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water to stay sufficiently hydrated. If you weigh 150 pounds and divide that by two to get 75, you should be drinking 75 ounces of water daily. This number may fluctuate depending on the weather, physical activity, and more.
It’s All About Movement
Regular exercise benefits the body in numerous ways. Being overweight increases your blood pressure, which affects kidney function. It’s beneficial to engage in 150 minutes of moderately intense exercise every week. Moderate exercise includes walking around the neighborhood, going on a bike ride, swimming, or light weightlifting. One study found that kidney disease patients improved muscle function and lowered blood pressure after 150 minutes of weekly exercise. The same study found that heart function improved in 11% of those patients.
Avoid NSAID Medications
People take common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen for pain or headaches. These drugs can harm the kidneys when taken frequently, and they are even worse for people who have kidney disease or impaired kidney function. Analgesics and NSAIDs decrease blood flow to the kidneys, and the combination of the ingredients in those drugs have been linked to kidney disease.
Focus On Freshness
The kidneys have to process all the food you eat. Saturated fats, excessive dairy, lots of salt, sugars, processed foods, and fried foods can increase your risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Not to mention, these foods make your kidneys work on overtime. Be kind to your kidneys and nourish them with foods that enhance their function, not make them worse. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans are all beneficial for kidney health.
Keep An Eye On Your Blood Pressure
If you are at risk for high blood pressure, it’s wise to keep an eye on it regularly. High blood pressure increases your risk of kidney troubles, and your kidneys can’t help keep your blood pressure under control if they start to fail. The ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHG and 120/80mmHg. There are numerous lifestyle modifications to make and beneficial foods to eat to help control your blood pressure. If you need more information on how to naturally lower blood pressure, please click here.
Act now before it’s too late for your kidneys. Take control of your health so that you can avoid kidney troubles and live a long, healthy life.
