Taking Care of Your Kidneys

Every year 60,000 people in the UK are being treated for kidney failure. That is a very upsetting statistic. If someone has diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure, or is over the age of 60, they’re at a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

Luckily, we can actively better the health of our kidneys through mindful switches.

Our kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are amazingly effective at removing toxins, harmful chemicals, and waste products.

Each day, the kidneys filter through about 200 liters of blood. In the process, they rid 2 liters of toxins, waste, and excess fluid — regulating the body’s fluid levels and maintaining healthy pH levels. Kidneys also aid the body in releasing hormones that trigger the formation of red blood cells, maintaining blood pressure, and even activating Vitamin D.

In order to carry out their functions, kidneys need a constant supply of oxygen, blood, and nutrients. Because kidneys have so much blood constantly flowing through them, any disease that affects blood can also harm the kidneys.

Here are 4 effective ways you can better your kidney health.

Cut the salt.

Start with eliminating salt. Salt is the kidney’s number one enemy. Not only does salt increase blood pressure, but it also promotes the formation of kidney stones. Processed food is full of salt and other harmful additives that add unnecessary strain on your kidneys.

Kick the butt.

Smoking specifically affects your kidneys by damaging blood vessels which decrease the blood flow to the kidneys. Smoking increases the risk of developing heart disease, kidney cancer, and raises blood pressure.

Sweat it out.

Daily exercise helps keep our weight in check. If someone is overweight, they are more likely to develop diabetes and high blood pressure. Furthermore, their kidneys are forced to work twice as hard to filter out the waste and to meet metabolic needs.

Lessen the self-medication.

If you are quick to self-medicate when dealing with general pains like headaches and body aches, stop. Overuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs can increase the toxic burden on kidneys.

Common anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are especially damaging if used over a long period of time. Using them to treat occasional pain is probably not as risky if your kidneys are healthy, but if you are taking them for chronic pain such as arthritis, talk to your doctor about keeping an eye on your kidney health. Look for an alternative way to manage your pain such as physical therapy, meditation, or yoga.