Almost all people are concerned about their blood sugar and pressure levels. But what about your kidneys? Kidneys play a crucial role in keeping you healthy. However, recent data show an alarmingly increased rate of kidney diseases. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 3 people in the United States are suffering from kidney disease. It is at this point, this article becomes relevant.
On going through the article, you can understand why it is important to keep your kidneys healthy. Further, you will learn some methods to keep your kidneys as healthy as possible. So jump right into the article and find out how to maintain the health of your kidneys!
Why keeping your kidneys healthy is important?
Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found on the side of your stomach. These organs play a crucial role in maintaining your health as they act as the filter system for your body.
Kidneys have to eliminate the excess waste and fluid from your body. And these waste products are expelled through your urine.
Apart from regulating the fluid content in your body, they also produce certain hormones that have an important role in your body. Some of these hormones can instigate red blood cell production while some of them can control the blood pressure levels in your body. Anyway, let us examine some of the major functions of kidneys in your body:
- Eliminates waste from your body.
- Expels drugs from your body.
- Regulates the fluid content.
- Produces hormones that balance blood pressure levels.
- Releases an active form of vitamin D that can strengthen your bones.
- An important role in the formation of red blood cells.
8 Ways To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
As we have learned that keeping kidneys healthy is essential for our health, now let us move on to the next section. Here, we will be analyzing some methods to keep your kidneys healthy.
- Watch your diet: If you want to keep your kidneys healthy, you need to take guard of what you are eating. As kidneys play a major role in processing whatever you eat, make sure to follow a healthy diet. Consuming a diet filled with a lot of vegetables, fruits, and less processed foods is ideal for the health of your kidneys.
- Follow a regular workout schedule: Studies have shown that having a regular exercise schedule can lower the risk of chronic kidney disease. Even engaging in simple activities such as running, walking and cycling can be beneficial for your kidney health.
- Take control of the medications you are taking: One of the major culprits behind kidney malfunction is the overuse of certain over-the-counter medications. Some of these drugs include NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Stop taking them too often as it can potentially harm your kidneys.
- Lower your blood sugar levels: Having higher levels of blood sugar can damage your kidneys over time. When your body has excess sugar, it reaches your kidneys. And now your kidneys are forced to process these sugar molecules and it can damage them.
- Reduce your salt intake: If you consume too much salt, it can affect the health of the kidneys. Salt can increase the protein content in the urine and this will worsen kidney disease. Also, too much salt can increase blood pressure levels and this can lead to kidney stones and kidney diseases.
- Keep a check on alcohol intake: Alcohol is a major culprit behind all sorts of kidney diseases. Alcohol can cause dehydration and cause imbalance in fluid levels in your body. It can also lead to overweight issues and liver disease which can worsen kidney diseases.
- Increase your fluid intake: Drinking water is essential for the health of your kidneys. It is because water can clear out your body from harmful toxins and sodium. Studies show that increasing water intake can relieve conditions such as kidney stones.
- Do a proper kidney check-up: Having your kidneys checked is a good way to keep them healthy and disease-free. If you are over 60 years and have a condition such as obesity, it is necessary to have your kidneys screened once in a while. Kidney function tests will help you to prevent any onset of kidney damage.
Conclusion
On going through the article, you can understand that having a healthy kidney is necessary for your overall health. As kidneys play an important role in filtering out the impurities from bodies, the damage done to these organs can affect the whole health. That is why it is necessary to keep the kidneys as healthy as possible.
Some of the ways through which one can keep a healthy kidney is by following a healthy diet and regular exercise. Also quitting bad habits such as drinking alcohol and smoking, and reducing the usage of medications and salt, can keep kidney diseases at bay.