Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 4-2-21

Health
1| EATING TOO MUCH SALT
2 | SLEEP DEPRIVATION
3 | DEHYDRATION
The kidneys, located at the bottom of the rib cage, are an important part of managing the fluids in our body. When you eat or drink liquids, the fluid is eventually fil- tered through the kidneys from the blood and excreted into the urine. In addition, kidneys are an important part of regulating pH, salt, and potassium and producing hor- mones that regulate blood pressure.
Unhealthy habits, like being overweight, can cause the kidneys to work harder than normal and severely affect a person’s quality of life. Over time, the extra work can cause kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and a vari- ety of chronic conditions. Continuing along this path could cause the kidneys to shut down altogether. Once that hap- pens, people may experience weak bones, nerve damage, and malnutrition. Other complications include anemia and heart failure.
Unfortunately, kidney disease isn’t rare and is the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S. Kidney disease affects an estimated 37 million adults in the United States. This is why keeping your kidneys healthy is critical for everyone.
Healthy habits for your kidneys are also healthy habits for your overall health. Here are a few things you can do to keep kidneys healthy.
Diets high in salt are high in sodium, which can increase blood pressure and, in turn, harm your kidneys. Flavor your foods with herbs and spices instead of salt. Over time, you may find it easier to avoid using added salt (sodium) on your food.
4 | OVERUSING PAINKILLERS
Over the counter pain medi- cines, such as NSAIDs (non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), may alleviate your aches and pains, but they can harm the kidneys, especially if you already have kidney disease. Reduce your regular use of NSAIDs and never go over the recommended dosage.
A good night’s rest is ex- tremely important to your overall well-being and, it turns out, your kidneys. Kidney function is regu- lated by the sleep-wake cycle which helps coordinate the kid- neys’ workload over 24 hours.
Animal protein generates high amounts of acid in the blood that can be harmful to the kidneys and cause acidosis – a condition in which kidneys cannot eliminate acid fast enough. Protein is needed for growth, upkeep, and repair of all parts of the body but your diet should be well balanced with fruits and vegetables.
Staying well hydrated helps your kidneys clear sodium and toxins from the body. Drinking plenty of water is also one of the best ways to avoid painful kidney stones. Those with kidney prob- lems or kidney failure may need to restrict their fluid intake, but for most people, drinking 1.5 to 2 liters (3 to 4 pints) of water per day is a healthy target.
Processed foods are signifi- cant sources of sodium and phos- phorus. Many people who have kidney disease need to limit phos- phorus in their diets. Some stud- ies have shown that high phosphorus intake from processed foods in people without kidney disease may be harmful to their kidneys and bones. Try adopting the DASH diet to guide your healthy eating habits.
Sugar contributes to obesity which increases your risk of de- veloping high blood pressure and diabetes, two of the leading causes of kidney disease. In addition to desserts, sugar is often added to foods and drinks that you may not consider “sweet.”
Avoid condiments, breakfast cereals, and white bread which are all sneaky sources of processed sugar. Pay attention to the ingredients when buying packaged goods to avoid added sugar in your diet.
By cutting back on the above, you can make your kidneys’ jobs much easier, and you much healthier.
5 | EATING TOO MUCH MEAT
6|
CONSUMING PROCESSED FOODS
7| CONSUMINGLOTS OF SUGAR
PAGE 8-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021