The kidneys play a vital role in keeping your body healthy, but how can we look after this underrated organ?
The kidneys are a very special organ. I mean, why else would nature give us two of them just in case we lost one to injury. In many ways, the kidneys are just as important as our heart and our lungs, yet many people don’t understand exactly what they do.
The kidneys play several important roles in maintaining our health and wellbeing. They are responsible for regulating blood pressure, balancing the water in our bodies, cleaning our blood to remove waste and toxins, and managing the production of vitamin D.
All this means that protecting your kidneys is essential to keep your body working at its best. Luckily, there are many ways that you can adjust your lifestyle in order to look after this incredible organ.
Blood pressure
First of all, it’s really important to have regular blood pressure checks. High blood pressure has no symptoms but it can increase your risk of kidney and heart problems. To keep an eye on your blood pressure, make sure you speak with your doctor and find out if you’re at high risk of kidney disease. If your blood pressure is higher than it should be, the doctor may prescribe medication to lower it.
Diet
A balanced diet is an essential part of keeping your body at a healthy weight and reducing the risk of high blood pressure. A balanced diet will give your body the important vitamins and minerals that you need, so try to limit foods that have a high percentage of sugar, salt and saturated fats. You should also ensure that your diet contains lots of fruit, vegetables, legumes, wholegrain bread and rice, as well as lean meat like chicken and fish.
Exercise
Exercise is another important factor for keeping any kidney issues at bay. Exercise helps to maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the risk of high blood pressure. With that in mind, it’s recommended that you do at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week to increase your strength, stamina and energy.
Hydration
Another easy way to look after your kidneys is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help your kidneys to function properly. It’s also important to make sure that in hot weather or when doing high intensity exercise, you make up for loss of fluid due to sweat.
Lifestyle
It’s essential to note that smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can be really damaging for the kidneys. Excessive amounts of alcohol can greatly increase the risk of high blood pressure and those who smoke are three times more likely to have reduced kidney function. To look after your kidneys, it is recommended that you quit smoking and drink less than two standard drinks per day.
14 September 2018