Protect Your Kidneys

This article was published with the title, "10 Deadly Habits That Seriously Damage Your Kidneys" on Real Farmacy and caught my eye as I know several people who developed kidney cancer in the last several years and one person, a young lady, who had a kidney removed and is on dialysis. In each of the kidney cancer friends of mine, the cancer was not detected until the mass or tumor was too big to miss, like the size of a softball. I don't think these people were delinquent in protecting their kidneys - how do you know if you are growing cancer in an organ? - I think toxins, accumulated over a long time were likely responsible. Still, one must do what they can,...take what steps they are comfortable with, in ensuring the best health possible. So, I like these articles which are common sense and offer easy steps to have a healthy lifestyle.

Our kidneys are super important for our health. They filter our blood, produce hormones, absorb minerals, produce urine, eliminate toxins, and neutralize acids. So as one of the most important organs in your body, your kidneys deserve some love. Damage or steady decline of your kidneys can often go unnoticed for years as your kidneys can still do their job with as little as 20% of their capacity.

Therefore kidney diseases are often referred to as “The Silent Diseases”. That’s why it is so important to take care of them before it is too late. Here’s a list of 10 common habits that put a lot of pressure on your kidneys and can cause serious damage over time.

1. Not Drinking Enough Water

Your kidney’s most important function is to filter blood and eliminate toxins and waste materials. When you don’t drink enough plain water during the day toxins and waste material start to accumulate and can cause severe damage to your body.

MyAchingKnees Comment:  The average person needs about one ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight each day. If you are more active, you'll need more water.  Here's an idea - replace those soda's with water.  Try this for two weeks and see how you feel. 

2. Too Much Salt In Your Diet

Your body needs sodium or salt to work properly. Most people however consume too much salt which may raise blood pressure and put a lot of stress on the kidneys. As a good rule of thumb, no more than 5 grams of salt should be eaten on a daily basis.

3. Frequently Delaying The Call Of Nature

Many of us ignore the urge to go because they are too busy or want to avoid public bathrooms. Retaining urine on a regular basis increases urine pressure and can lead to kidney failure, kidney stones, and incontinence. So listen to your body when nature calls.

4. Kick The Sugar Habit

Scientific studies show that people who consume 2 or more sugary drinks a day are more likely to have protein in their urine. Having protein in your urine is an early sign your kidneys are not doing their job as they should.

MyAchingKnees Comment:  High Glycemic diets are killing us. I know most people won't or can't replace high glycemic foods with low glycemic foods in total; however any person would be a fool not to reduce some consumption of high glycemic and substitute with low glycemic foods.  

5. Vitamin And Mineral Deficiencies

Eating a clean, whole food diet full of fresh vegetables and fruits is important for your overall health and a good kidney function. Many deficiencies can increase the risk of kidney stones or kidney failure. Vitamin B6 and magnesium, for instance, are super important to reduce the risk of kidney stones.

An estimated 70 to 80 percent of Americans isn’t getting enough magnesium, so there may be a good chance that you are one of them.

MyAchingKnees Comment:  It is likely the majority of Americans aren't getting much of the required nutrients.  Find the best nutritional supplements you can and take them to ensure you are giving your body the nutrients it needs to have a healthy immune system.

6. Too Much Animal Protein

Over consumption of protein, especially red meat, increases the metabolic load on your kidneys. So more protein in your diet means your kidneys have to work harder and this can lead to kidney damage or dysfunction over time.

7. Sleep Deprivation

We have all heard how important it is to get a good night’s rest. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to many diseases and kidney diseases are also on the list. During the night your body repairs damaged kidney tissue, so give your body the time to heal and repair itself.

8. Coffee Habit

Just as salt, caffeine can raise blood pressure and put extra stress on your kidneys. Over time excessive consumption of coffee can cause damage to your kidneys.

9. Painkiller Abuse

Way too many people take painkillers for their small aches and pains, while there are many all-natural, safe remedies available. Excessive use or painkiller abuse can lead to severe damage of liver and kidneys.

MyAchingKnees Comment:  Even of the shelf Motrin can be bad for you if you use it all the time and in bigger doses. I abused Motrin for over 20 years, and have only taken about 400 mg of it in the last 9 years.  I'll use low doses of Aspirin now, but that's about it.  It you have pain, try and fix it, just don't throw drugs at the symptoms.  

10. Alcohol Consumption

Although there is nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine or having a beer once in a while, most of us don’t stop after just one drink. Alcohol is actually a legal toxin that puts a lot of stress on our kidneys and liver.

To stay healthy and avoid kidney issues it is important to eat lots of fresh, whole foods and if you keep the above information in mind and avoid these common habits as much as possible, your kidneys will not be under constant stress and your body will thank you for that.

MyAchingKnees Comment:  Alcohol is a toxin.  Reduce or eliminate your consumption of it.  If you drink hard liquor or beer, maybe you can try replacing it with a quality red wine.  My challenge to you is to try tis for two weeks and see how you feel.  


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