 |
| OUR KIDNEYS |
HABITS THAT KILL OUR KIDNEYS
Did you know that you can lead a perfectly normal life even with 20 percent kidney function? That is why the consistent weakening and gradual damage to our kidneys often go unnoticed for a long time. Sometimes even common habits can damage our kidneys, and when problems are finally discovered, it may be too late.
Our kidneys are an amazing organ. They produce hormones, filter blood, absorb minerals, produce urine and maintain a healthy acid-base balance. There can be no life without kidneys, and the Chinese consider them to be the place of concentration of the most important vital energy.
Caring for our kidneys is inextricably linked to caring for our health and well-being. If you want our kidneys to be healthy and serve you well for the foreseeable future, you should avoid the habits from the list below.
1. The habit of drinking sugar-containing carbonated drinks
According to a study in which employees at Osaka University in Japan participated, drinking two or more carbonated drinks per day (both dietary and regular) can be associated with an increased risk of kidney disease. The study involved twelve thousand employees, and those subjects who consumed more soda had more protein in their urine. Protein in the urine (proteinuria) is an early sign of kidney damage, but if detected at an early stage, the disease can still be cured.
2. Smoking
It has been found that smoking is associated with atherosclerosis. The narrowing and hardening of blood vessels affects the blood supply to all vital organs, including the kidneys. According to a study published in the English journal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, two cigarettes a day is enough to double the amount of endothelial cells in our blood. This is a sign of damage to the arteries. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology speaks of various studies conducted since 2003 that established a link between smoking and impaired renal function.
3. Vitamin B6 deficiency
A healthy diet is essential for good kidney function. According to studies at the University of Maryland Medical Center, a lack of vitamin B6 increases the risk of kidney stones. For optimal kidney function, you need to consume at least 1.3 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily. The richest sources of vitamin B6 are fish, peas, beef liver, potatoes and starchy vegetables, as well as fruits, with the exception of citrus fruits.
4. Lack of exercise
Exercise is another way to protect your kidneys. A major study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggests that postmenopausal women who exercise are 31% less likely to have kidney stones. Generally speaking, maintaining a healthy weight will reduce the chances of kidney stone formation.
5. Lack of magnesium
If you do not get enough magnesium, the body cannot properly absorb and absorb calcium, which can lead to an excess of calcium and the formation of kidney stones. To prevent this process, eat green leafy vegetables, beans, seeds, and nuts. Healthy avocados are also a good source of magnesium.
6. Frequent sleep disturbance
We all love a healthy night's sleep. Our kidneys love it too. According to the American information portal Science Daily, chronic sleep disturbance can cause kidney disease. According to a cardiologist, professor of medicine and psychology at the University of Toronto, Dr. Michael Sol, kidney tissue is updated at night, so sleep interruptions can cause direct damage to this organ.
7. Drinking insufficient water
For our kidneys to perform their functions, they need a sufficient amount of water. If we do not drink enough, toxins can begin to accumulate in the blood, due to a lack of fluid that would wash them from the kidneys. The US National Kidney Fund recommends drinking at least twelve glasses of water per day. An easy way to check if you are drinking enough is to pay attention to the color of the urine.
8. Untimely emptying of the bladder
When nature calls, it is worth listening. Retention of urine in the bladder is a bad idea. If this happens regularly, there is a risk of increased urine pressure in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure or incontinence.
9. Excessive sodium intake
Salt is important for the body, but its use should be limited. Excessive salt intake can increase blood pressure and put too much pressure on the kidneys. No more than 5.8 grams of salt should be eaten per day, so it should not be abused.
10. Too much caffeine
Often we consume a lot more caffeine than we think. Caffeine is part of many soft drinks and soda, so before we even know about it, our blood pressure will jump up and our kidneys will complain.
11. Abuse of painkillers
Too often, we take medicine very quickly, in excess and not in the way it should be done. When pain occurs, it is very easy to simply swallow a pill. But you should think twice. All pharmaceuticals cause side effects, and many of them affect the kidneys. But at the same time there are medicines that should be taken. More details in the next paragraph.
12. Ignoring essential drugs
High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes are two very common conditions that are often caused by lifestyle or malnutrition. If you already suffer from any of these two ailments, beware of the damage they can cause to our kidneys and protect your precious organs by taking the prescribed medications.
13. Too much protein
According to Harvard University, too much protein in our diet harms the kidneys. Ammonia, a by-product of protein digestion, is a toxin that our overloaded kidneys must neutralize. The more protein - the greater the burden on the kidneys, which after some time can lead to impaired renal function.
14. Untimely and inappropriate treatment of common infections
We all sometimes sin by ignoring the common cold and flu, and bring our bodies to exhaustion. But it can cause kidney damage. Studies show that people who refuse to rest and receive proper treatment often suffer from kidney disease.
15. Excessive alcohol consumption
The toxins contained in alcohol harm not only our liver, but also the kidneys. According to Kidney Health Australia, a nonprofit organization and the American Kidney Foundation, one way to avoid kidney disease is to use moderate alcohol.
Post a Comment