Did you know that 33% of adults in the US are at risk for kidney disease?. March is National Kidney Month, a time to bring attention and raise awareness for kidney disease and kidney health. Today, we’ll be talking about three different ways you can make changes to your daily routine to help improve your kidney health.
Hydrate
Water helps our kidneys remove waste from our blood. One of the top ways to improve your kidney health is to make sure you stay hydrated. Set a goal to drink four to six glasses of water each day so that you can help flush out toxins in your body. This goal will help keep you on track to potentially lower your risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
Diet
Our kidneys also help breakdown all the food we eat. Make sure to avoid foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar. The DASH diet has been approved by The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, The American Heart Association, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and also forms the basis for the USDA MyPyramid. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts.
Exercise
The National Kidney Foundation states, “Exercise benefits those with kidney disease by improving muscle function, lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, keeping a healthy body weight, and improving sleep.” Try to fit in 30 minutes of physical exercise every day to help improve your kidney function.
When our kidneys fail to work, our bodies can develop high levels of waste in our blood system. This can lead to high blood pressure, anemia, and even nerve damage. Focusing on staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining our exercise routines are all great ways we can focus on our kidney health!