Your kidneys don’t take breaks. They toil along every day, acting as a filter and helping your body dispose of harmful toxins and waste. They control what remains in your system and what gets dismissed, working overtime daily to keep you at the top of your game. However, they need your help to stay at the top of theirs.
Bad habits force your kidneys to struggle harder than they otherwise would. Over time, these bad habits can lead to kidney disease or failure. Don’t let it get that far. Read on to find out what bad habits you can break to keep your kidneys in tip-top shape.
You Are What You Eat
If you are having kidney problems, the first lifestyle change you should consider is your diet. Cut back on or eliminate processed foods, fast food, and junk food in your diet. People eat what they are used to eating and crave the foods that they have consumed throughout their lifetimes. Once your body gets used to a healthier diet, it will start to crave those foods when you get hungry instead of candy or chips.
Lay Off the Salt
A diet that is too high in sodium causes high blood pressure, which can damage your kidneys and could eventually lead to kidney failure. Excess sodium in your diet can also lead to painful kidney stones. If you just love salty foods and the thought of cutting sodium out of your diet scares you to death, there are substitutes with a very similar taste. There’s No Salt, Nu-Salt, and Morton’s Salt Substitute. You could also try using fresh herbs and spices that do not contain salt. Be sure to check the sodium content on snacks and other foods before purchasing.
Eight Glasses a Day
Drinking plenty of water does more for your system than just keep you hydrated. It helps you flush out waste and makes life easier on your kidneys. Eight glasses, or three liters, of water per day will help keep you hydrated and flush your system. How do you know if you’re drinking enough water? The color of your urine should be a very light yellow.
Alcohol in Moderation Only
One of the best things you can do for your kidneys, if you drink alcohol, is to stop drinking. Alcohol dehydrates your system and actually damages the kidneys while preventing waste and toxins from being flushed from the body. If you must continue drinking, practice moderation, and try to stay hydrated while drinking to give your kidneys a fighting chance.
Get On Your Feet
Researchers have linked a sedentary lifestyle with increased likelihood of kidney disease. Obesity raises blood pressure and can lead to kidney problems. Add walking, jogging, and other light cardiovascular exercises to your daily routine to reap the benefits. Just remember to stay hydrated, especially when performing physical activities that cause you to lose water through sweat.
Limit Sweets
High blood pressure and diabetes are two of the main culprits behind kidney disease. Those with a sweet tooth can try substituting fruits for candy and cake. During the summer, try popping some grapes, cherries, blueberries, or raspberries in the freezer. These sweet frozen treats are cold, refreshing, and healthy alternatives to popsicles and ice cream. Plus, freezing your fruit when it’s ripe keeps it from being tossed out if you don’t get around to eating it in time.
Getting Your Beauty Rest
Getting enough sleep is essential to your health on many levels, but it’s specifically vital for your kidneys. Kidney function is based on your sleep cycle, and its workload is customized to the amount of sleep you get. Less sleep leads to a faster decline in your kidneys’ overall function. Your kidneys are counting on you, so count some sheep for them.
The habits listed above can lead to all kinds of health problems. Your kidneys are very important organs—keeping them happy can make a lot of difference in how you feel on a day-to-day basis. Kicking bad habits can be a tall order, but doing so could save your life. If you have an addictive personality, the best option is to get addicted to a healthier lifestyle. Replace drinking and smoking with exercise and yoga. Switch junk food for fresh fruits and vegetables. Getting addicted to self-healing is a major step in the right direction—and a whole lot easier than it sounds if you have the motivation to do it.