7 tips for healthier kidneys today

March is Kidney Health Month and we want to kick things off with a great list of 7 easy tips to help ensure your kidneys are in top condition:

1. Quit Smoking

   This one should be the most obvious on the list. Smoking leads to many serious health complications, including but not limited to kidney disease or cancer. Smoking limits the amount of blood that reaches the kidneys and impairs their ability to function properly. If you need help quitting please take a look at this guide from the Government of Canada.

2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet

   Kidneys are able to tolerate most eating habits, but the problems don’t come directly from your diet. The real risk is developing other chronic illnesses like high blood pressure or diabetes which put additional strain on your kidneys. It is recommended to eat a lower sodium diet and manage your sugar intake if you are prone to risk.

3. Get active on a regular basis

   As eating a healthy diet will help, so will regular physical activity. This will help keep your body in peak physical condition and help stave off other chronic illnesses that will strain your kidneys. Try gardening, joining a walking group, or taking dance lessons as ways to get regular physical activity into your life each week.

4. Reduce your cholesterol levels

   High levels of fats like cholesterol increase your chance of developing heart and blood vessel problems, which as previously mentioned will put a strain on your kidneys. Ask your doctor about simple tests and ways to reduce your cholesterol levels. If your levels are too high, you may need to follow a low-fat diet and exercise more.

5. Maintain and manage your blood pressure

   High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of kidney damage and should be checked regularly by your physician. Most pharmacies have a blood pressure monitor available to use, which while not a replacement for visiting your doctor, can give you an indication of whether you need to make an appointment today, or can with for your next physical to get checked.

   Normal blood pressure is 120/80. At 140/90 and above you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss what you can do to prevent long term issues.

6. Keep your fluid intake up

   Follow the standard rule of 8 glasses of water a day (as a rule of thumb) to help maintain healthy kidney function. This will help your kidneys filter toxins and other unwanted substances from your body. This will help remove these toxins more consistently and in lower concentrations regularly and can significantly lower your risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

7. Get yourself tested

   If you have any of the following conditions you should ask your physician to test for kidney dysfunction as part of routine care for these conditions:

   • diabetes (a significant risk for type 1 and type 2)
   • obesity
   • hypertension
   • high blood pressure
   • a history of kidney disease in your family.

Kidney health is part of a well rounded lifestyle and making easy changes today for your kidneys will help you stay healthy overall. If you or a loved one would like some help managing kidney disease or preventative care please use the form below to reach out to our care team today.