Don’t neglect your kidney health!
Just like a superhero cleaning up a city, our humble (yet mighty) kidneys work hard every day to get rid of toxins.
These small, bean-shaped organs can be found tucked away in the lower part of your back, one on each side of your spine. They may be “out of sight” but they are remarkable organs that have important jobs that help keep your body healthy.
Think about how many toxins we absorb: from food, to the medicines we take, and the chemicals in the environment… This is where the kidneys are so instrumental.
Inside each kidney, there are millions of tiny units called nephrons. Picture nephrons as tiny filters. Every day, they work hard to clean your blood. They filter out waste products and extra fluids, turning them into urine.
Kidneys also act like skilled managers of your blood pressure. When your blood pressure is low, the kidneys release a special substance called renin. This helps your body hold onto water and makes your blood vessels tighten up a bit, ensuring your blood pressure stays in the right range.
What you eat affects your kidneys
Let’s start with the dreaded S-words: Sugar and salt.
Eating too much salt can spike your blood pressure. High blood pressure is not good for your kidneys – it can put extra pressure on them, making it harder for them to do their job. It’s much the same with sugary foods and drinks, as well as fatty foods, which can lead to excessive weight gain. This can increase the risk of getting diabetes. Diabetes can damage your kidneys over time because they have to work very hard to filter out the sugar in your blood.
Too much meat is also a bad idea. Red meat, especially, can be tough on your kidneys and severely strain them when it comes to processing all the protein.
That quick pie and chips you grab for a working lunch at your desk? It may be convenient, but an overload is more of a slog for your kidneys. Packaged convenience foods tend to contain lots of additives. These additives mean that your kidneys have to exert themselves, trying to eliminate the additional substances.
It's like giving your kidneys extra tasks, and over time, this added workload may be challenging for them. To keep your kidneys healthy, it's a good idea to choose fresh, whole foods, and limit those processed and packaged items. This way, your kidneys won't have to deal with unnecessary additives and they can function more smoothly.
Good to know: kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard pieces that form in the kidneys when certain substances in the urine, like calcium and oxalate, get too concentrated. These small, rock-like formations vary in size and can cause strong pain when they move through the urinary tract.
Look out for symptoms such as severe back or stomach pain, blood in the urine, and discomfort while urinating. These stones typically form from dehydration, specific health conditions and a diet that contains a tad too much salt and foods with oxalate.
To get rid of kidney stones, you will need to drink lots of fluids, but in serious cases, you may need medical treatment to break or remove those larger stones.
Remember: keep your kidneys happy with plenty of water, fresh fruit and green vegetables, and a well-balanced diet.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.