When we think of vital organs to keep healthy, we immediately think of the heart and brain, and perhaps then the lungs. While the healthy function of all of these is undeniably important, many people often overlook the value of healthy kidneys.
Kidney diseases are silent killers, and statistics suggest that nearly 15% of all Americans are battling one right now. To help ensure that you aren’t one of them, try following Vitruvian Wellness Center’s five steps to help promote a healthy renal system.
Hydrate
Kidneys are one of the body’s main filtration systems, filtering on average about 55 gallons of blood daily to sift out about two quarts of waste products. Staying hydrated helps aid this process by providing your kidneys with the right amount of fluid needed to clear out toxins. To encourage healthy renal function, most experts suggest that individuals should drink 1-2 liters of fluids, such as water, each day; although the actual amount needed depends on a variety of factors.
Eat Healthy
Since most kidney problems stem from medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure, proper daily nutrition is key to good renal health. A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will go a long way to helping your kidneys by preventing underlying conditions that harm them.
Exercise
Similar to eating a well-balanced diet, a certain amount of daily activity can prevent weight gain and promote balanced blood sugar levels, both of which are important for long-term healthy renal function. Physical overexertion, however, can cause stress on the kidneys, so do be mindful about how much you exercise.
Stop Smoking
One of the many dangers of cigarettes is that their smoke slows down the flow of blood through your body, which means that less of it goes through your kidneys and is purified. The result is that kidney functioning suffers immensely when you smoke. To make matters worse, smoking spikes blood pressure and puts the body at greater risk of cancers and heart disease.
Watch Your Medication Intake
Many prescription medications flow in the blood and are filtered eventually through the kidneys. This means that the more pharmaceuticals we put into our bodies, the harder our kidneys must work in order to clear our bodies of their residue. Ensuring that you’re only taking the medications you need can give your kidneys a break and lower the risk of failure and stress.
Get Screened
Whether or not you think your kidneys might be in trouble, regular renal screenings should be a part of routine care for anyone over the age of 60, especially those suffering from chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.
Vitruvian Wellness Center: Your Way to Vitality
Whether you’re far along on a road to recovery or just getting started, Vitruvian Wellness Center of Springfield, MA is dedicated to helping you feel the way you’ve been dreaming of.
The proprietary methods of Dr. Morin have helped patients from all over rediscover what it means to live a life defined by health and wellness.
If you want to start living every day pain-free, contact us to schedule an appointment today! You can also glance at our carefully curated collection of vitamins and supplements for purchase HERE.
