Follow these lifestyle tips to improve kidney health and avoid the risk of disease.
According to the
National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 3 American adults, or 73 million people, are at risk for developing kidney disease. Additionally, 1 in 9 American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, though most don’t even know it.
As the organs responsible for removing harmful waste from your blood, kidneys are a vital component of your body's purification system. When your kidneys aren't functioning properly, dangerous levels of waste and fluids can accumulate in your body leading to complications such as high blood pressure, low blood count (anemia), bone disease, and heart disease.
It may sound simple, but the best way to improve kidney health is to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. Here are some everyday steps you can take to improve all-around wellbeing and therefore kidney health:
Maintain a Healthy Diet
The National Kidney Foundation states that simply eating healthy can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease. Things like reducing your salt and fat intake, buying and preparing food with fresh, natural ingredients and eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are all steps you can take to help boost kidney function.
Exercise and Keep Fit
Regular exercise and physical activity help to
prevent high blood pressure and obesity as well as improve blood circulation and heart strength, all of which are associated with the risk of developing kidney disease.
Maintain Healthy Fluid Intake
According to
worldkidneyday.org, consuming plenty of fluids (conventional wisdom has long suggested drinking 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day) helps the kidneys clear sodium, urea and toxins from the body. Researchers do not advocate "aggressive fluid loading," which can lead to separate complications, but instead, suggest that moderately increased fluid intake may reduce the risk of decline in kidney function.
Avoid Smoking
Among other harmful effects it has on the body, smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys, impairing their ability to function properly.
Smoking has also been shown to increase the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.
Get Checked for Kidney Function if You Have One or More Risk Factors
If you have any of the following kidney disease risk factors, make an appointment to have your kidney function tested:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Kidney disease in the family
- African, Asian or Aboriginal origin
What do you think? Do you have other everyday tips to help improve your overall health? Share them with us in the comments below.
