9 Secrets To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
Kidneys work hard day in and day out to maintain general health and well-being. So, the steps taken to keep the kidneys healthy can help the overall health. Detoxification and acid/alkaline balance carried out by..!!
- Stay hydrated
- Control your blood sugar level
- Monitor blood pressure
- Limit over-the-counter medications
- Say yes to exercise
- Limit salt intake
- Quit smoking
- Include probiotics & kidney supportive foods
- Lower the phosphorus intake
Kidneys are among the vital processes to achieve and maintain good health. When these processes are not carried out properly, it could lead to some serious illness.
Every half-an-hour, kidneys filter all the blood in the body, removing toxins from the blood, excreting them in urine, and preventing organs from being damaged. They also regulate the acid-alkaline balance in the body and prevent it from becoming acidic.
Acid-Alkaline balance refers to the balance between the number of acids and alkalis (non-acids) that are found in body fluids such as blood, saliva, and urine. This ratio of acids to alkalis is determined by the measurement of pH levels. Balance in the acid-alkaline ratio results in good health, while an imbalanced ratio – either too acidic or too alkaline leads to illness. Hence, kidneys need to work efficiently to carry detoxification and acid-alkaline regulation.
To keep the kidneys functioning properly and healthy as possible throughout life, there are several things to do. Here are some secrets which can help to make your kidneys work efficiently at every stage of life.
Stay Hydrated:
In normal cases, a 2D Echo test may be done with 15-20mins. If patient has any heart problems, it may take some more time.
Control Your Blood Sugar Level:
Diabetes leads to kidney damage. So it is really important to control blood sugar levels and diabetic patients should get regular screening tests to check kidney functions. Regular screening tests help to detect early kidney damage.
Monitor Blood Pressure:
It is well-known that high blood pressure leads to a stroke or heart attack. But very few know it is also the most common cause of kidney damage. High blood pressure can cause kidney damage, especially when associated with other factors like cardio -Vascular Diseases, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Limit over-the Counter Medications:
It is very common to use nonprescription pills without getting a doctor’s consultation. But this habit can cause kidney damage if taken regularly over a prolonged period. While occasionally used to relieve pain doesn’t pose a risk. People who take pain relievers regularly should get kidney function tests and find alternative ways to control pain.
Say yes to Exercise:
Being physically active can stave off high blood pressure and weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. But it is important to watch how much exercise should be done, especially based on one’s condition. Over-exerting, when one is not capable, can put a strain on the kidneys. While too much exercise can cause an excessive breakdown of muscle tissue.
Limit Salt Intake:
The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 gms of salt per day. But having a lot of processed and outside food makes exceed the recommended level of salt intake. High sodium intake strains kidneys as they work efficiently to remove excess sodium in the body. Having homemade food and making a habit of avoiding salty foods can control the amount of salt intake.
Quit Smoking:
Smoking slows down the blood flow to the kidneys. When the amount of blood that reaches the kidneys is reduced than normal, its functioning gets affected. Also, smoking increases the risk of kidney cancer.
Include Probiotics & kidney Supportive Foods:
It is popular that one should maintain a healthy diet for overall health. Taking probiotics helps kidneys process waste materials and improves digestive health. Also, to keep kidneys healthy at every stage of life, one should include foods that help kidneys function effectively in their diet. Watermelon, cranberries, olive oil, onions, apples, cabbage, cauliflower, strawberries, blueberries, peppers, and garlic are the foods that improve kidney functions.
Lower the Phosphorus Intake:
Phosphorus is found in most foods, especially in carbonated soft drinks and processed foods. One needs 800 mg to 1,200 mg of phosphorus each day. But, if consumed in excess amounts, healthy kidneys can flush it out. When kidneys don’t work well, the excess phosphorus gets accumulated in the body that leading to potentially serious conditions such as bone and heart diseases.
