4 Tips to Protect Kidney Health

When we talk about kidney health awareness, it’s important to look at the everyday actions we can take to help reduce our risk for disease. Check out some of the ways you can better protect yourself beginning today:

Watch the Salt
Did you know that the recommended amount of sodium we should take in each day day is limited to about a teaspoon? Unfortunately many Americans who never even add salt to their food end up getting far more than the recommended limit due to the amount of excess sodium in processed and prepared foods. One of the best ways to avoid kidney disease related to too much salt is to prepare your own foods at home.

Drink Water
While it’s true that experts and researchers disagree about exactly how much water we should drink every day, it’s generally accepted that drinking at least three to four pints of water is a helpful goal to keep our kidneys functioning properly. Adequate fluids help clear sodium and toxins from the body.

Quit Smoking
Smoking can restrict blood flow to the kidneys and impair their ability to function properly. The habit of smoking also raises the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent, so it’s in anyone’s best interest to stop smoking—the sooner the better.

Limit OTC Drugs
Common drugs, such anti-inflammatory drugs including ibuprofen, can cause kidney damage and disease if taken on a regular basis. Healthy individuals will most likely be fine to take such meds in emergencies, but anyone dealing with chronic pain should talk to their doctor to find a way to relieve pain without endangering their kidneys.