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Among all the functions of the kidneys, two are especially important. The first one is the elimination of liquid waste, and the second one is the regulation of water-salt and ionic balance in the body. The work of these bean-shaped organs occurs imperceptibly to humans.
However, due to various infections and diseases, the kidneys can fail, leading to dangerous consequences. People often have to deal with problems such as urolithiasis and kidney failure, which can initially go unnoticed. To avoid them, you need to follow some effective tips.
How To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy?
Here are some effective methods you can adopt to have healthier kidneys.
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Keep Your Body Hydrated
A sufficient amount of water in the body helps maintain the desired volume of blood and the concentration of various substances in it. Water improves digestion, regulates body temperature, and helps eliminate harmful substances.
For the normal functioning of the body, in particular the kidneys, it is necessary to drink up to six to eight glasses of fluid per day. However, depending on a person’s age and physiological characteristics, you can change the norm.
If there are already problems with the kidneys, then you should increase the usual amount of water consumed. But you should not drink the liquid in large quantities at a time, as this greatly overloads the kidneys. Drink water in small portions and slowly throughout the day.
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Avoid Drinking Alcohol
Like the rest of the body, consumption of alcohol frequently can also damage the kidneys. Experts believe that addicts are at higher risk of chronic and even acute kidney failure. Thus, you must stay away from this toxic beverage if you want to stay healthy. Also, if anyone in your family has an alcohol addiction, you should be cautious.
Here the question arises, is alcohol and drug addiction hereditary or genetic? So, a short answer is yes. If your parents have a history of substance abuse or addiction, you are at higher risk of developing addiction as well as other diseases. So stay safe and part your ways from alcohol for healthier kidneys and body.
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Get Enough Sunlight
When sunlight hits a person’s skin, the receptors responsible for the production of vitamin D get activated. It is important for maintaining healthy bones, fighting cancer cells, improving the immune system, and controlling calcium levels. The body also needs Vitamin D for normal kidney function.
It is enough to spend at least 15 minutes daily in the fresh air under the sun to get the necessary dose of vitamin D. In this case, the body will be additionally saturated with oxygen. But it is worth avoiding the peak of solar activity in the afternoon during the summer months. You must not forget the sunscreen.
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Drink Freshly Squeezed Juices
Juices are not a cure by themselves. But regular consumption of freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices can help maintain kidney health. They enrich the digestive system with additional fluid, vitamins, and trace elements, helping to cleanse the body of toxins.
But if any kidney disease is already present, avoid juices from spinach, herbs, beets, and other vegetables and fruits that have oxalic acid. It promotes the formation of kidney stones. More suitable would be juices from raspberries, watermelons, cucumbers, peaches, carrots, celery, strawberries. In order not to injure the stomach with organic acids contained in juices, it is useful to dilute them with water 1:1.
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Physical Activity
Moderate physical activity and sports are excellent prevention of diseases of the kidneys and other organs. First of all, physical activity helps to rid the body of excess weight and protects against obesity—the risk of kidney stones and even cancer increases due to increased weight.
As body weight increases, the kidneys are forced to filter a large volume of blood. This can lead to excessive stress on them and upset their work. Elevated levels of fats in the blood subsequently lead to kidney failure. Physical exercise activates the metabolic process in the body, in which the kidneys also play a role.
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Eat a Healthy Diet
The work of the urinary system largely depends on the quality of the diet. If the foods used in the diet are unhealthy and toxic, then this will negatively affect all organs, including the kidneys. For their normal functioning, it is worth completely refusing or at least minimizing fast food and foods with a lot of salt and sugar.
This is especially important for those who already have kidney disease. Salt retains water in the body, which increases blood pressure and interferes with the functioning of internal organs. Kidney-healthy diets should include foods rich in calcium.
The body also needs magnesium for better absorption. It is present in whole grains, nuts, and dark green vegetables. Excessive consumption of protein-rich foods can adversely affect the condition of the kidneys. This is because they are under great stress in the process of assimilation and processing of proteins.
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Regular Physical Examination
The danger is that some kidney diseases can be asymptomatic. Regular physical examination and blood tests will help to identify them in a timely manner. High blood pressure can also indicate poor kidney function. In this case, it is necessary to undergo an examination and consult a doctor about the correct treatment and selection of medications.
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Prevention of Stress
There is a link between stress and kidney disease. Excessive stress can lead to chronic kidney disease. As prevention of anxiety and normalization of the nervous system, deep practice breathing, yoga, and meditation. All of them help to relieve stress and avoid problems not only with the kidneys but also with the health of the whole body.
Take Away
To keep your kidneys healthy, you must pay attention to your habits and diet. Include a kidney-friendly diet to your menu and stay away from harmful products, e.g., alcohol and coffee. Also, avoid stress to keep your kidneys as well as whole-body healthy.
