Mainly serving the purpose to filter blood and prevent waste build-up inside the body, kidneys are small in size yet massive in functionality. These 2 small organs located just below the rib cage on both sides of your spine play a huge role in maintaining your overall health. They also stabilize your electrolyte levels, make hormones that produce red blood cells, as well as regulate your blood pressure. That is why people with high blood pressure might have an increased risk in developing kidney disease. In order to avoid these events and preserve kidney health, we will be informing you a number of healthy tips you can do daily. Read on!
1. Stay hydrated
Water is essential to help maintain the transportation of nutrients running throughout the body, as well as maintaining our organs to function well. The same goes for maintaining your kidneys, as they need enough fluid intake to flush excess sodium and toxins out of your body. Most health experts recommend to consume 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily, depending on your gender, climate, and health conditions. However, some studies have not given any proof that consuming more water than recommended may serve more benefits.
One way that can help determine whether you are consuming enough water is through the color of your urine. Some urine discoloration may occur if you are under a certain medication or having a particular medical condition. If you're normal, your urine should be clear-colored, with a slight tinge of yellow. Darker color urine may indicate that you should increase your water intake.
2. Consume nutritious diet
Having a generally healthy diet may help to ensure your organs functioning properly, as well as maintaining your nutrition intake that is beneficial for overall health. Most people have certain imbalances in their diet. For example, frequently consuming food high in sodium, can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, or consuming too much carbohydrates and sugary foods, which can trigger development of diabetes type 2.
A lot of chronic kidney problems are caused by these conditions. Therefore, it's logical to limit your intake of these types of foods. A diet high in fiber, like fruits and vegetables, as well as enough protein and whole grains can help you avoid these conditions and maintain healthy weight at the same time. This habit of consuming a balanced diet can lessen the accumulation of toxin in your body, and also provide it with enough vitamins and minerals to ensure proper functioning of every organ in your body, including your kidneys.
3. Avoid consuming unnecessary medications
Everything you consume or even put topically on your skin is going to be absorbed by the body and go through your body's waste management system, which in this case, includes your kidneys. Therefore, be very selective before consuming medications you might need. Excess medication intake may harm your kidney health in the long run. Even common painkillers or over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen may cause kidney damage when taken regularly for an extended period of time.
Some supplements can actually benefit your kidney health. Herbana's Relief Sari Meniran, for example, is shown to have positive effects on kidney health by preventing formation of kidney stones, aside from its main function of aiding immunity. However, you also need to take discretion when consuming supplements. It's always best to consult with your doctor to determine which ones you need and safe for consumption, especially when you're taking it with other prescriptions.
4. Make exercise a routine
As an extension to your healthy eating habits, having a regular physical activity is also important to maintain health. Especially as exercise may boost your metabolism, keeping extra weight off your body, as well as helping your blood pressure levels in check. As previously mentioned, these factors may also play a role in developing chronic kidney disease when not monitored well. Therefore, making exercise a part of your daily routine may help in maintaining healthy kidneys.
5. Reduce or stop unhealthy habits altogether
Even though these type of habits may die hard, it's actually beneficial for your overall health to reduce or stop doing it altogether. Alcohol consumption, for example, may not do any harm when taken in a considerate manner, say one or two drinks occasionally. However, when it is consumed constantly and in excess, it may take a toll on both your liver and kidney health. Some studies have shown that binge drinking may trigger acute kidney failure, and eventually damaging your kidneys in the long run.
Another unhealthy habit like smoking, also increases the burden on your kidneys, as it increases toxins inside your system. Smoking also has negative effects on your blood vessels, eventually shrinking it and disturbs your blood flow. Kidneys can't work optimally when there is no adequate blood flow, as it is the case with other vital organs.
