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Our kidneys are responsible for filtering out 180 liters of fluids in our body every day. And, if you have not been taking them seriously, you should now. Knowing of the ways to maintain good kidney health is a necessity more than an activity.
Given the kind of extensive function the kidneys have, it is important that you contribute in a way that helps promote those functions, rather than altering them.
In here, we are going to suggest some of the best ways to improve kidney health and keep its functions seamlessly, without any kind of further complications.
Tips to keep your kidneys healthy
Kidneys are the “filtering” organ in our body which is located under the rib cage, on either side of the spine. Our lifestyle and eating habits have got a lot to play when it comes to our renal health. If you want the best for your kidneys, knowing the factors that affect it can help reduce the risks to a bare minimum.
It is necessary to pay heed to the kidney functions because that can take a turn for the worse, if you don’t.
Let us take a look at some of the ways to maintain good kidney health, shall we?
1. Drink optimal water
We are so caught up with our lives that we often brush aside the need for hydration. Dehydration (R) is one of the most common reasons behind the negative impacts on the kidney.
Drinking optimal amount of water, around 8 glasses every day is necessary to keep your kidney function in check. The lack of hydration results in more strained filtration through the nephron in the kidneys.
If you tend to have a habit of sweating excessively, you need to compensate the same with the necessary amount of fluids and electrolytes.
One of the common things to keep in mind is to not overhydrate yourself as well. It is necessary that you drink enough water but it is not necessary that drink more than what your body or kidneys can handle.
Read: 12 Health Benefits Of Sparkling Water – Sizzling Benefits
2. Maintain an active lifestyle
Many might not know this but maintaining an active lifestyle is one of the best ways to improve kidney health. Not only does it help promote better physical functions, it also keeps the risks of weight gain in control which prevents impacts on the renal function.
Exercises have also been found to have beneficial impacts in controlling the risks of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular related problems which further keep your well being in check.
It is a myth for people thinking that they have to indulge in extensive workouts to reap the benefits. That is not the case at all. You can simply indulge in some brisk walking and that should be enough to help with the overall health.
Read: 14 Ways To Main A Healthy Lifestyle For A Rejuvenated Mind And Body
3. Focus on your diet
While it is common for many to think that food is the part where digestive system comes to play and not the kidney, it still does play a huge role.
The kind of food that you are putting into your body might not have direct impacts on kidney health but does have the capability of taking things downhill in case you develop risks of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and several others.
Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet reflects on kidney health because it helps manage the risks of some of the chronic diseases.
Excessive salt intake (R) impacts kidney health and can cause negative impacts in the long run. If you do want to keep your renal function proper, it is suggested that you limit your salt intake between 5-6 grams every day.
Read: 12 Ways To Spring Clean Your Diet – Time To Switch Things Up
4. Take it easy with the supplements
Given that we live in a world where supplements are so raved about, it is important that you are being careful with what you are taking.
There are a number of supplements available in the market which can prove fatal for the renal function with persistent consumption. If you do take supplements, it is necessary that they are doctor prescribed.
Not just that, even the overconsumption or imbalanced levels of some vitamins can end up affecting your kidneys in the long run.
Even a number of herbs available have been found to have negative impacts on the kidney. Whatever kind of supplements or even herbs that you plan on taking, it is necessary that you consult a doctor first and then make the decision of whether or not the same is safe for consumption.
Read: Reduced Protein Intake Associated With Reduced Cardiovascular Risks
5. Quit smoking
We can’t say or emphasize this enough but smoking cigarettes does no good to your body. They do not just enhance the risks of cancer in the body; they are also not good for your kidneys.
There have been studies that have found that smoking reduces the blood flow to the kidney which further contributes to reduced renal function.
Aside from that, the nicotine from cigarettes has been found to enhance the risks of developing kidney cancer by 50% which again is something that one most definitely needs to avoid.
Cigarette smoking is also associated with chronic kidney disease, as per the studies (R).
Read: Want to Quit Smoking – Follow These Tips
6. Manage your blood sugar levels
Another important factor to maintain good kidney health is to ensure that you do manage your blood sugar levels on a daily basis. This is especially important if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic.
Diabetes enhances the risks of kidney diseases (R) by a lot which is why it is very important that you do focus on managing your blood glucose levels without any questions whatsoever.
Apart from that, people with diabetes are also suggested to have frequent kidney function tests done to keep an eye out on their renal health every now and then.
Kidney problems that stem from diabetes can be easily prevented if one does have better awareness surrounding it.
Read: 12 Best Glucose Meter For Keeping Your Sugar Levels In Control
7. Manage your blood pressure
Hypertension does have the capability to affect your kidney function, in case you aren’t very critical about the situation.
High blood pressure has been found to impact and enhance the risks associated with heart and kidney functions. The excess pressure on the blood vessels promotes or makes the kidneys have to filter out more blood (R) which does have direct impacts on the overall renal function.
It is thus important that you find ways to consistently manage your blood pressure without any kind of further thoughts. Get it checked every now and then and make sure that you do focus on regulating it in case it is persistently high.
Read:12 Best Blood Pressure Monitors For Home Use
8. Manage your weight
Weight management is important when it comes to natural ways to improve and maintain kidney health. Obesity and being overweight have direct impacts on the renal function, making it worse as time passes.
This is the reason why it is very important that one does focus on finding better alternatives to managing their weight and have a healthy lifestyle to keep it in check.
Obesity also enhances the risks of a number of chronic diseases including diabetes, heart diseases and so on which further impact the kidney function even further.
Always try to maintain a healthy diet, one that emphasizes eating more nutritious food and less sodium which have direct effects on the kidneys.
Read: How to Lose Weight Fast: Effective and Simple Ways to Cut Down Fat
9. Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs regularly
There are a number of anti-inflammatory and analgesic over the counter medications that are available at the drug store and are easily accessible. If you want to keep your health in the best condition, it is important that you do avoid taking these drugs on a regular basis.
They impose direct impacts on the kidney functions, making it tougher for you to manage things through. If you do wish to maintain good kidney health, reduce the intake of these medications to a bare minimum.
Read: Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods To Counter Inflammation
10. Slow down on the alcohol
Much like smoking, even alcohol does no good to your body. To be honest, there is nothing wrong in drinking every once in a while but the same becomes a problem for your kidney health when you end up overdoing it.
Alcohol is not just bad for the liver but imposes negative impacts on your kidney as well. It has been found to dehydrate the body a lot, impairing the renal function.
This is the reason why drinking excess water following drinking alcohol is always advisable.
Read: What Are The Effects Of Alcohol On Your Skin? 7 Alarming Side Effects
11. Get tests done every now and then
If you do have the predisposition of kidney diseases in your family’s medical history, it is important that you get the kidney function tests done every now and then.
This is a necessity as it helps in keeping your kidneys checked and ensures to prevent any kind of issues that are most likely to happen.
If you have been looking for tips to keep your kidneys healthy, it is a necessity that you focus on getting these tests done every month or every two months, especially if you know that you are at risk.
12. Consult a specialist
Kidneys play a very integral role in your overall well being, which is the reason why you need to take it seriously.
If you have a family history or you are suffering from any chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension, it is best suggested that you consult a urologist as well.
Getting guidelines from them on how to keep good kidney health can keep your overall well being in check and prevent the unnecessary risks that you could otherwise experience.
When it comes to the ways to maintain good kidney health, there are a few that we have mentioned here. Any kind of possible symptom of discomfort or signs of impaired renal function should always be checked by a doctor before it takes a turn for the worse. If you have been struggling with keeping your kidney health in check, it is best that you refer to the 12 points we have mentioned above.
