
Daily, your kidneys filter about 55 gallons of blood to rid the body of wastes and excess fluid. They also keep electrolyte levels in check, make hormones that produce red blood cells, regulate blood pressure, and help keep bones strong.
A healthy diet and regular exercise can keep your kidneys functioning at their best. And, of course, drinking plenty of water is essential!
Nutrition
The tiny, sensitive kidneys filter waste materials and extra fluid from the circulation. The electrolyte and water levels in the body are also maintained.
A proper diet can improve kidney function and shield it from harm. Consuming fatty fish, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is crucial for kidney health.
A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of kidney problems and other health issues, including heart disease and diabetes. It also helps you maintain an ideal weight and blood pressure.
According to your unique requirements, your doctor can suggest a kidney-friendly diet. If you require dialysis and have chronic kidney disease or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), this may involve a particular renal diet.
Limiting your intake of sodium and potassium is crucial for the health of your kidneys. This lessens your probability of getting hypernatremia, which raises the level of sodium in your blood.
You can lower your sodium intake by avoiding processed foods, such as canned soups and bottled beverages, and choosing fresh foods often. You should also consume enough water, ideally eight cups per day.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best things you can do if you are worried about the health of your kidneys. This molecule helps your body make hormones, eliminate waste, and activate a subtype of vitamin D that controls how your muscles contract.
Furthermore, it helps lift your spirits and lower your chance of developing a kidney infection. The appropriate exercises for you and the recommended duration should be discussed with your medical staff.
Regular exercise is essential to keep your kidneys healthy and your whole body. It can help you lose weight, control blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels.
You should aim to exercise for 30 minutes each day, three or more times a week. You can do this by walking, cycling or swimming.
You can also take up a sport such as running or dancing. Keeping active is the most important thing you can do to keep your kidneys healthy.
However, if you’re not used to exercising, it can be difficult to stick to an exercise program. That’s why starting slowly and gradually building up your workout over time is important.
Stress
Stress is a typical response to stresses in daily life, but it can also cause major health issues. It alters almost every bodily function and can have an impact on mood and behavior.
When you’re under severe stress, your body reacts with hormones that kick in quickly. This is called the fight-or-flight response, a necessary part of human survival.
These hormones include adrenaline and cortisol, which get your heart beating faster, send blood to vital organs, and give you an energized focus. But these hormones can’t last forever, so your body needs to wind down when you’re finished with the stress.
Chronic stress, on the other hand, keeps your body in a state of heightened agitation for an extended period, keeping your nervous system at elevated levels for longer than a few days or weeks. This can keep your kidneys in an agitated state for years, making them more susceptible to mineral buildup, dehydration, and the formation of kidney stones.
Controlling and managing your stress is the most crucial thing you can do to keep your kidneys healthy. Discuss your worries with a responsible adult, and stay away from circumstances that can make you feel overwhelmed. In addition, make sure to eat healthily, exercise frequently, and get plenty of rest.
Blood Pressure
Your kidneys aid in blood filtration by eliminating waste and surplus body fluid. Every minute, healthy kidneys filter around half a cup of blood. The surplus fluid is subsequently sent to the bladder, where it is converted to urine.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases your risk of kidney disease. It may cause damage to the arteries that lead to your kidneys. It can also damage the tiny blood vessels inside your kidneys, making it difficult for them to filter your blood properly.
Blood pressure problems may be the first sign of kidney disease. They can be hard to spot, so you may need a test that checks your blood pressure.
If your blood pressure is causing damage to your kidneys, talk to a healthcare professional about how to lower it. Lifestyle changes and medications can help.
Blood Sugar
By filtering waste from your blood, maintaining blood pressure, and balancing body fluids, your kidneys are essential to your health. They also support bone health and red blood cell production.
However, chronic kidney injury can result from unchecked high blood sugar. Regular blood sugar checks are crucial, and you should collaborate with your medical team to create a strategy that enables you to keep your blood sugar levels in check.
A good way to ensure your blood sugar stays in the healthy range is to follow a diabetes meal plan and take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. Talk to a dietitian about foods that suit you, and ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Maintaining a healthy blood sugar level is especially important if you have diabetes and renal disease in order to prevent or delay kidney damage. The best approach to achieve this is to maintain a kidney-friendly diet, engage in regular exercise, and monitor your blood sugar levels frequently.
Regular tests, such as the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test, can alert you to kidney damage and enable you to receive early treatment to prevent it. If you do develop kidney disease, there are some options for treatment, including dialysis.