Our kidneys, an integral part of our bodies, are responsible for essential functions including waste filtering and maintaining the electrolyte levels in our body. Regrettably, kidney disease has been a growing burden worldwide, however, healthy habits can impact your risk severely. Dr. Bismah underscores the significance of proactive kidney care by sharing 4 ways to lower kidney disease risk!

1. Adopt a Kidney-Friendly Diet

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Reduce Sodium Intake

Excessive consumption can damage kidney function; aim for daily intake under 2,300 milligrams (mg), with 1,500 being optimal if living with kidney disease or high-risk factors present. When shopping for packaged foods look out for products with lower sodium contents or carefully read label information on ingredient lists when purchasing packaged foods containing less sodium.

Switch to Plant-Based Protein Sources

While protein intake is necessary, too much animal-sourced protein could undress your kidneys. Opting for plant-based sources like beans, lentils, tofu, and nuts as alternatives is advised when considering animal proteins such as fish, skinless chicken, or turkey for animal protein sources is more favorable.

Reduce Processed Foods and Sugar Intake

Highly processed foods often have unhealthy sodium and fat levels, and sugar is added. These give rise to obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which are risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease. Dr. Bismah advises prioritizing whole-food diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as the way forward in supporting overall health and kidney functioning.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight 

Excess weight places added stress on kidneys, increasing your risk for disease. To achieve a balanced diet and regular physical activity to promote healthful living and ensure you achieve weight maintenance.

3. Manage Blood Pressure and Sugar

Elevated blood pressure and unchecked sugar levels can damage kidney blood vessels and impair their functionality, potentially impacting their ability to work correctly. Dr. Bismah emphasizes the significance of adhering to any medical practitioner-prescribed treatment plans for diabetes or hypertension, including medication, diet adjustments, and lifestyle modifications on maintaining kidney health. Early identification and management are vitally important to safeguarding it!

Read more: Why do diabetics die after amputations?

4. Adopt a Healthful Lifestyle

Stay Hydrated

Depending upon individual needs and activity level, aim to drink 8 glasses of water daily and adjust accordingly depending upon individual needs/activity. Proper hydration helps avoid kidney stone formation and promotes waste removal through urine.

Regular Physical Activity

Exercise is integral to overall wellness. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days throughout the week for the best kidney health benefits—managing blood pressure, sugar levels, and bodyweight are just three vital aspects that rely on it!

Stop Smoking

Smoking narrows blood vessels throughout your body, including kidney vessels. Smoking cuts off oxygen delivery to organs in need and diminishes overall kidney functionality, so giving up is one key way of protecting overall health, including kidney health.

Moderate Alcohol Intake

Consuming too much alcohol is known to harm kidneys and increase your risk for hypertension. Moderation should be applied when drinking to optimize kidney health.

5. Routine Checkups with Dr. Bismah

It is vitally important to diagnose kidney issues early with regular visits to Dr. Bismah. Such examinations could include blood tests, urine analysis, or blood pressure assessments and are critical to optimizing kidney health outcomes. Timely detection can greatly enhance health outcomes.

Additionally Considerations

As powerful tools for decreasing kidney disease risk, these strategies should only be one consideration: There may be other elements at play as well:

• Family History: If there is a history of kidney disease within your family tree—such as Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), for instance—early diagnosis and monitoring are key in successfully treating any inherited conditions that arise in later years. Dr. Bisma can offer guidance in managing such conditions with her expertise.
• Certain Medications Can Harm Your Kidneys: If you take medications that could be nephrotoxic (harmful to kidneys), Dr. Bisma can discuss alternate solutions if necessary.

Final Thoughts

By adopting these strategies and working collaboratively with Dr. Bisma, you can take control of your kidney health and significantly lower the risk of kidney disease. Early intervention and detection are the keys to protecting kidneys and maintaining overall well-being.

If you have questions or need advice about kidney health, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bisma today! Early detection and intervention are crucial to effectively managing kidney disease; taking proactive steps toward your well-being will only benefit you!