Mega Bored
The kidneys are definitely one of the most hardworking organs in the body. Apart from filtering wastes and excess fluids, kidneys purify the blood, produce hormones and aids in various body processes. When the kidneys are worn down, they become susceptible to kidney disease. Unfortunately, kidney disease causes irreversible damage to the kidneys. To keep the kidneys healthy without using drugs or supplements, consider these tips:
1. Drink More Water
It’s no secret that water is vital to kidney health. Water helps flush out toxins in the kidneys and reduce the crystallization of salt. Sugary beverages such as colas and fizzy drinks can cause extra stress to the kidneys. These drinks affect kidney functions, disrupting the organ’s ability to filter out wastes from the urine. Make it a habit of drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day. Drink more if you’re working out or leading an active lifestyle.
2. Limit Salt Consumption
One of the main functions of the kidneys is to reduce sodium in the body. A diet rich in sodium causes stress on the kidneys. When the kidneys are stressed, they are unable to remove excess sodium in the blood stream. This causes a range of health problems, including fluid retention, difficulty in breathing and swelling.
People who suffer from kidney diseases must reduce their consumption of sodium by eliminating processed foods and canned foods from their diet. A great way to minimize sodium intake is to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as well as low-sodium bread.
3. Reduce Protein Intake
Protein is a part of a healthy diet. But when processed by the body, protein generates wastes that need to be removed by the kidneys. Unfortunately, weak kidneys are unable to eliminate protein wastes from the blood. If you are prone to kidney diseases, we recommend limiting your consumption of beef, chicken, poultry and organ meats. You will also need to reduce your consumption of cheese, eggs, and milk. Severe cases of kidney disease require a significant reduction of both animal and plant-based proteins.
4. Limit Phosphorus Intake
Weak kidneys are unable to eliminate phosphorus in the blood. Too much phosphorus in the blood can cause weak bones and a higher risk to fractures. Usually, protein-rich foods increase phosphorus in the bloodstream. Those with weak kidneys should limit their consumption of cheese, milk, beef, and eggs.
5. Limit or Avoid Alcohol
Abstaining from alcoholic beverages does wonders for the kidneys. Alcohol doesn’t just puts too much stress on the kidneys, it also causes cell breakdown. Consuming alcohol regularly causes the kidneys to wear themselves out and this leads to kidney disease.
Generally, men drink more alcoholic beverages than women. As such, men should drink no more than two alcoholic beverages per day while women should limit alcohol consumption to one drink each day.
6. Exercise Regularly
Did you know that regular exercise helps flush out toxins in the kidneys? Exercising also boosts good cholesterol in the body and reduces fluid retention. It also improves blood circulation while strengthening the bones. When the kidneys are less stressed out, the organs are able to eliminate salt and toxins from the body.
