Our kidneys don't get a lot of love, and definitely don't get the attention paid to other major organs like our heart, liver, and lungs. But that doesn't mean that they aren't important — in fact, they're vital.
"The kidneys play many essential roles when it comes to our health and wellbeing," says Selene Vakharia, a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle consultant, explains. "They are instrumental in detoxification, filtering our blood and eliminating toxins and waste products through our urine." Vakharia, who owns La Belle Vie Holistic Living says kidneys also help regulate our blood pressure, electrolytes, and the pH levels of our blood.
When our kidneys aren't able to do their many jobs properly, our health can suffer. And kidney disease, a term that encompasses a variety of diseases and disorders of the kidneys, can be fatal. Read on for 13 things you need to know to keep your kidneys — and as a result, the rest of you — in good working order.
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They're Smaller Than You Think
Each of your kidneys is just the size of your fist, which means that two small organs — or just one, in some people — have to do a lot of work to keep your body free of toxins and dangerous buildup of waste products.
You Can Live With One Kidney
Some people are born with just one kidney; the single organ usually becomes slightly larger to compensate for its missing partner, and people with one kidney can be just as healthy as those with two. Other people have one kidney because of disease or injury to the other, or because they've been a living kidney donor.
The Causes Of Kidney Disease
Diabetes, high blood pressure, and artery hardening are the most common causes of kidney disease. Other possible causes are nephritis, or inflammation of the kidneys. Others are related to your genes. Because what we call "kidney disease" is actually many different diseases or conditions, there are many different possible causes.
Symptoms Of Kidney Disease
It's important to know the symptoms of kidney disease, because it can be <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=249" target="_blank">threatening to your overall health</a>. They include: puffy eyes, hands, and feet (edema); fatigue; shortness of breath; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; thirst; persistently itchy skin; weight loss; and a yellowish-brown tint to the skin. However, mild to moderate kidney disease may not have any obvious symptoms.
What If Your Kidneys Are Working Too Hard?
"When our kidneys are overloaded, we might end up with kidney stones or infections of the urinary tract or bladder," Vakharia says. If those problems sound familiar, you might want to try some of the tips given here in order to ramp up your kidney help somewhat. Always consult with a trusted physician before you make any changes to medicine or start taking supplements.
Stay Hydrated
"To support our kidneys, the first and more important step is to ensure that you are drinking a healthy amount of water," Vakharia says. "Staying hydrated is key to help rid the body of toxins and harmful bacteria." What are some signs you should up your water intake? Get a few extra glasses if your urine is dark yellow or if you're suffering from fatigue and headaches.
Get Your Greens
Vakharia advises <a href="http://www.healthy-endeavors.com/2009/05/13/healthy-eating-dandelion-greens-cleanse-and-detoxify/" target="_blank">adding bitter greens</a> like dandelion and parsley in your diet, and their diuretic functions can help keep things moving through your kidneys and the rest of your body. "These foods and herbs also help to clean the blood," she says, "so that there are fewer irritants that need to be filtered by the kidneys." Dandelion greens are the leaves of those pesky yellow-flowered weeds, but trying to save money by harvesting from your front yard isn't necessarily a good idea. If you plan to eat dandelion weeds that grow wild on your property, or that you grow yourself, first make sure you aren't using any potentially harmful chemicals and have the soil tested to make sure it's safe to grow edibles.
Try Uva Ursi
Uva what? "Uva ursi is an <a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-350-UVA%20URSI.aspx?activeIngredientId=350&activeIngredientName=UVA%20URSI" target="_blank">herb that has protective factors for the kidneys</a> and also helps in the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections and bladder infections," Vakharia says. Talk to your health professional before using uva ursi, as it can cause problems for some people, and never give it to children.
And Add Some 'Vitamin' D
"<a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1114-D-MANNOSE.aspx?activeIngredientId=1114&activeIngredientName=D-MANNOSE" target="_blank">D-mannoseis a simple sugar</a> that helps to prevent UTI-causing bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder," Vakharia says. It appears to be mostly safe for general use, but there is some evidence it can make blood-sugar control more difficult for diabetics and it hasn't been well studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Limit Booze And Caffeine
<a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/12937.php" target="_blank">Caffeine and alcohol</a> are both associated with a higher risk of kidney stones — if you are particularly prone to them, you may want to limit or avoid both of those substances.
Cut Animal Protein
If you tend to get kidney stones, <a href="http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stones_ez/" target="_blank">reducing the amount of animal foods</a> in your <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2826524" target="_blank">diet could be a smart move</a>, Vakharia says. "A diet high in animal proteins leads to urine high in calcium and uric acid, which can result in kidney stone formation," she advised
Watch Your Salt Intake
The National Kidney Disease Education Program in the U.S. recommends keeping your <a href="http://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/salthealth/factsheets/kidney/" target="_blank">daily sodium intake to less than 1,500 milligrams daily</a>, in order to help control your blood pressure. Just one fast-food meal can easily go over this limit, so check nutritional info for your favourite restaurants and take-out spots and read packaging when you're grocery shopping.
Eat Heart Healthy
Because circulatory health and kidney health are so tied together, choosing foods that are good for your heart can be good for your kidneys too. Focus on fresh foods, avoid too much saturated fat, bake or broil your food instead of frying, and eat lots of fruits and vegetables and moderate amounts of animal protein.
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