How to Preserve the Kidney Function

The kidneys are one of the most important organs in the body. They are responsible for filtering the blood of mineral salts, urea, waste products and other toxins that might be present. They are also a storage site for electrolytes and water which are important for proper hydration. When the kidneys become weak and are not functioning optimally, the body can suffer serious side effects that can ultimately be fatal. But there are ways to keep the kidneys functioning at high levels. The steps to make this happen revolve around lifestyle and eating habits.

Things You'll Need

• Fluids Healthy foods

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Instructions

Helping Your Kidneys

• 1

  Drink your fluids. Water is a very beneficial substance to the body. It helps keep you hydrated, it lubricates the joints, it aids in digestion and it also helps to flush toxins from the system by way of the kidneys. According to the Institute of Medicine, men should consume 3 liters of total fluids a day and women should consume 2.2 liters.

• 2

  Stay away from a toxic lifestyle. Partaking in regular use of illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco products causes toxicity in the body. This causes the liver and kidneys a lot of extra work to flush these toxins out of the system. To keep the kidneys preserved, avoid these practices.

• 3

  Keep the diet clean. Two of the main risk factors for kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes. Avoid foods that are high in saturated fat and processed to lower your risk of these diseases. Instead, choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low fat dairy products.

• 4

  Get some daily exercise. Exercise is another activity that can lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. Some examples of effective exercise are weight training, biking, swimming and walking.

• 5

  Use anti-inflammatories with caution. Over-the-counter painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), can be beneficial to the body, but they should be used properly. Overuse of these can take a toll on the kidneys so make sure to use them as directed.