How to Protect Your Kidneys

Kidneys are one of the most vital organs of the body. Keeping your kidneys healthy is imperative to leading a healthy life. After all, kidneys help in the effective waste management of the body and remove toxins, thus helping maintain chemical balance and blood pressure. It is important to take good care of your kidneys to ensure proper filtration,

without which the kidneys run the risk of completely shutting down. If you are looking for tips as to how to protect your kidneys, read further.Some of the most common kidney diseases include:

• Hypertension
• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney stones

Kidney disease is one of the leading causes of early death in diabetics because high blood sugar levels push the kidneys to work harder than normal in order to filter out excess blood.

Tips to Protect Kidneys

• Eat healthy - A study published by the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggests increasing intake of fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk for kidney disease or injury. Eating healthy will also help you prevent metabolic acidosis, which is the overproduction of acid in the body. An overabundance of acid can further result in confusion, fatigue, rapid breathing, and even shock or death. An increased intake of fruits and veggies helps the kidneys to eliminate excess acid in the form of sweat and urine. As your kidneys slow down, it will help to eat foods lower in potassium and phosphorus.

• Reduce intake of salt/protein – The best way to control your blood pressure is to keep a check on your sodium intake. Buy fresh food and try to avoid packaged/ processed foods. You can replace salt in your diet with sodium-free seasonings, herbs, and spices. Though sodium is essential for the body to maintain fluid balance, it can cause high blood pressure if excess salt is not filtered out. Consuming too much of salt and protein makes the kidneys to work harder than normal. In extreme circumstances, kidneys could even break down.

• Stay active, stay fit – Regular exercise benefits everyone, and it is more effective for those with renal problems, chronic kidney disease or even those who have undergone kidney transplant. Those who exercise regularly benefit from improved oxygen and blood flow in the body and experience better heart rates.

• Measure your water intake – Water is the best drink to quench your thirst. It helps replenish the blood, regulate body temperature, remove waste, and protect kidneys. However, the right level of fluid intake by each person depends on their individual factors, such as gender, health conditions, physical activity level, climate, pregnancy and breast feeding. In summer season, you may need to increase your intake of water to compensate for the loss through urine and sweat.