HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR KIDNEYS

Here are some things you can do to help keep your kidney’s healthy:

• Do not use over-the-counter pain relievers for more than 10 days for the treatment of pain or more than three days for the alleviation of fever. If you have pain or fever over an extended period of time, you should see your doctor.

• If you are taking analgesics, avoid drinking alcohol.

• Avoid prolonged use of analgesics that contain a combination of painkilling ingredients, like aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine mixtures in one pill.

• Monitor your weight regularly and eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

People who are overweight or obese are at a risk of a number of disease conditions. These include diabetes, heart diseases, and kidney disease.

A healthy diet that is low in sodium, red and processed meats, may help reduce the risk of kidney damage. It is advisable to focus on eating fresh ingredients that are naturally low-sodium, such as cauliflower, cabbage, grapes, fish, whole grains, etc.

• Drink lots of water

There’s no magic behind the cliché advice to drink at least eight glasses of water in a day, but it’s a good goal precisely because it encourages you to stay hydrated. Regular, consistent water intake is healthy for your kidneys. Water helps clear sodium and toxins from your kidneys. It also lowers your risk of chronic kidney disease.

• Control your blood sugar. High blood glucose, also called blood sugar, can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys. When the blood vessels are damaged, they don’t work as well.
• Choose foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Decrease the use of trans-fatty acids since they can raise LDL cholesterol like fish, chicken, turkey, lean meat, beans, lentils, peas etc. If you eat red meat, limit to no more than three servings per week and choose meat offals.
• Monitor your blood pressure regularly.

• Take certain supplements like:

• Resveratrol; Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in berries, grapes, and peanuts, exerts antioxidant, cardio protective, and kidney-protective activity. Researchers propose that resveratrol may target the inflammation and oxidative stress associated with CKD.
• Alpha lipoic acid (ALA)is an antioxidant that may help address one of the complications seen in kidney disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Moringa: studies demonstrate that moringa leaf extract may protect against kidney toxicity caused by acetaminophen, an over-the-counter medication also known as Tylenol or Paracetamol.
• Probiotics: Beneficial bacteria can do more than just enhance your gut health. They can also help protect against the complications of CKD by decreasing inflammation and the production of uremic toxins. This dual action improves kidney function. Probiotics may also protect against leaky gut syndrome, a common condition in people with CKD that allows harmful bacteria to “leak” from the intestinal tract into the blood. Supplementing with a multi-strain probiotic may improve the bacterial balance in your gut, lessen the permeability of your intestinal barrier, and reduce the complications of CKD.
• NAC: Technically known as n-acetyl cysteine, NAC is a precursor to glutathione, commonly called the body’s master antioxidant. It’s also an antioxidant in its own right that protects kidney cells from heavy metals and other damaging toxins. Research shows that NAC can also limit the damage from advanced glycation end products or AGEs. AGEs are formed when glucose (sugar) reacts with proteins in the walls of your blood vessels, including those blood vessels within the kidneys. The resulting damage includes oxidative damage that can contribute to CKD. But proactively including NAC in your supplement routine can help protect against the negative effects of AGEs.
• Andrographis; This kidney-supportive herb likely is not top of mind when indulging in favorite alcoholic beverage, but maybe it should be. Findings in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology suggests that two compounds in andrographis—andrographolide and arabinogalactan proteins—protect the kidneys from alcohol toxicity. If you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, a beer or two with friends, or the occasional cocktail, taking a dose of andrographis before you drink may provide the protection your kidneys need.