Located just below the rib cage on each side of your spine are two small, powerful fist-size organs which perform several VITAL functions in the body. The kidneys’ primary job is to clean the blood of all toxins. It filters out waste and other impurities like alcohol and drugs (and yes, they are considered poison to the body; hence the hangover and side effects!), The Kidneys turn the impurities such, chemicals, toxins and poisons from foods and drinks into urine.this can be a daunting task for the Kidneys. . However, you can improve your kidneys function naturally and become more healthy.
Kidney Functions, a Vital Role for Survival
It is imperative to maintain healthy kidneys for the overall health and well-being of your body as these organs do much more for the body than we usually credit it. Constantly your kidneys work to:
- Filter the blood, about 50 gallons a day, and removing the metabolic waste and byproducts, which is then stored in the bladder and excreted in the urine.
- Regulates blood pressure, potassium, salts, and pH
- Produces hormones, vitamin D, and erythropoietin
- Regulates muscle performance and facilitates the absorption of calcium for bone health.
- Maintains blood volume, blood pH, and red blood cell count
- Stimulates thirst for water intake
How Does Kidney disease Affect the Body?
The kidneys are vital life-supporting organ the needs to work effectively to experience a healthy lifestyle full of energy and vitality. When the kidneys begin to lose their ability to function effectively, then gradually chronic kidney disease will start to develop. When kidney disease progresses without care, kidney function declines, and a buildup of excess fluids and harmful toxins in the body, sometimes fatality, may result. Some common symptoms of kidney disease could range from extreme tiredness, persistent headaches, high blood pressure, fluid retention, lower back pain, and swelling in the face and ankles. Some advanced cases of kidney failure would be:
- Changes in urination amount, frequency, smell, and color, along with urinary tract problems
- Chest pain caused by fluid buildup around the heart
- Shortness of breath caused by fluid buildup in the lungs.
- A decline in mental sharpness
- Inability to sleep properly
- Heart attack
- Muscle cramps and twitches
- Uncontrollable high blood pressure
- Cases of nausea, vomiting, and a decline in appetite
Make sure you seek medical attention if you begin to experience any of these symptoms.
Healthy Practices to Keep the Kidneys Functioning Optimally
To keep your kidneys healthy, you must maintain a healthy lifestyle and care for your body. Some of the best practices to stick by include:
- Get regular medical check up.
- Eating healthy meals is very important, but be sure to read the food labels!
- Maintain a healthy and sensible diet for your lifestyle.
- Eat smaller nutritious meals and do not snack in between meals, give the kidneys time to rest.
- Get enough sleep to help with the healing process.
- Control your weight by controlling your calories and staying active with exercise
- Limit sugar and starches – ice cream, candies, chips, wheat products, white rice, most dry beans (except kidney beans)
- Quit smoking if you are a smoker, as cigarettes are loaded with toxins that harm your kidneys.
- Quit illegal drug use and abuse.
- Limit over-the-counter medications, especially pain tablets
- Eliminate high sodium and potassium foods like canned or baked goods, condiments, and packaged/processed meats
and sauces
- Limit oxalates founds in foods like spinach, soybeans, almonds, potatoes, beets, and beans, especially if you have kidney stones
- Be aware that certain contact sports that can harm the kidneys, such as boxing, martial arts and wrestling.
- Drink an adequate amount of clean water to flush the kidneys, my add lemons, apple cider vinegar and cucumber to flavor the water.
- Limit highly acidic and processed foods like animal meats and drinks, like coffee, sodas and sugar.
- Drink alcohol sparingly or avoid it completely to allow for better healing of your kidneys
- Avoid sugary beverages and artificially flavored drinks.
- Limit dairy intake, and be sure to buy organic, pasture-raised, 100% grass-fed products
- Maintain a healthy mental and emotional state. Smile, laugh, sing, dance, and appreciate life!
Foods to Heal and Maintain a Healthy Kidney
It is possible to reverse early cases of kidney disease or stop further kidney damage by eating wisely. This practice can improve kidney function naturally. Eat these more often:
- Stay hydrated with clean water. Drink plain herbal teas such as dandelion, milk thistle, nettle, and turmeric
- Eat more vegetables, especially cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, bok choy, arugula, radish, turnips, onions, sweet potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, garlic and red bell peppers
- Eat raw nuts and seeds – Brazil, pine nuts, walnuts, pistachios, macadamia, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds
- Eat organic fruits – cranberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, red grapes, dried figs, pineapples, apples, and cherries
- For proteins, eat organic cage-free skinless chicken, turkey, egg whites, sea bass, and wild caught salmon.
- Eat grains like buckwheat, burglar, kidney beans (soaked for 24 hrs.)
- Use organic cold press olive oil, which helps reduce inflammation
- Include supplements such moringa, resveratrol, probiotics, and vitamin D
A Healthy Kidney for a Healthy Life
Your kidney plays a crucial role in your health and well-being. Take care of it, and it will help you live a healthy life. Practice these disciplines to make healthy choices and improve kidney function naturally. I have relatives who had kidney transplants, they said that their life after the transplant was never the same. They have too many restrictions and dietary limitations which prevent them from enjoying life to its fullest.
I always believed that prevention is better than cure. Why take the risk? There is too much to lose. A healthy diet and lifestyle can certainly help you improve kidney function naturally. Remember, you should always strive to eat healthy meals. Your body will thank you. So tell me what do you think, was this information helpful? 