The kidneys are small meanwhile powerful bean-shaped organs that perform many important functions such as
- removing waste and toxins from the blood, and water through urination,
- managing the body’s fluids, salt, and potassium levels,
- maintaining blood minerals balanced,
- releasing a hormone that controls blood pressure,
- stimulating vitamin D to support bone health and many more.
Nonetheless, they are easy-to-get-damaged organs. Mainly diabetes and high blood pressure can easily damage the kidney and cause kidney disease. In addition, the other less common but not less important risk factors of kidney disease are obesity, smoking, family history, gender, age, cardiovascular disease, etc.
Kidney disease may go unnoticed until the symptoms become severe. The early warning signs of developing the disease are
- fatigue,
- difficulty concentrating,
- trouble sleeping,
- poor appetite,
- muscle cramping,
- swollen feet/ankles,
- puffiness around the eyes in the morning,
- dry, scaly skin,
- frequent urination, especially late at night.
To avoid kidney damage and protect kidney health you should follow some simple steps. Along with having periodically checked your kidneys, you should also balance your diet. On the whole, foods that help you keep low blood pressure and reduce your risk of diabetes, contribute to your kidney health. Furthermore, soluble fiber-rich foods reduce your cholesterol, lowers your risk of high blood pressure, and helps to protect your kidney health.
If your kidneys already are damaged, you should consult with your health care provider who will determine the best diet for your needs. Consequently, dietary restrictions may vary depending on the level of damage. In this case, your kidneys can’t remove waste products from your body the way they should. A kidney-friendly diet can help you decrease the amount of waste in the blood.
Here are a few recommendations and advice to follow.
*First of all, start to monitor your levels of fat, salt, potassium, and phosphate. Since a lower-protein diet may keep your kidneys functioning smoothly.
*Consider consuming fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts.
*The best foods for a kidney-friendly diet that pack a nutritional punch for overall health: cauliflower, blueberries, sea bass, egg whites, garlic, buckwheat, olive oil, bulgur, cabbage, skinless chicken, bell peppers, onions, arugula, macadamia nuts, radish, turnip, pineapple, etc.
If you’re experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, want to get a diagnosis and medical advice related to your kidney, feel free to contact Dr. G Health for medical care!
Dr. G Health provides proactive and preventive health care services to individuals, families, and employers. Our Direct Primary Care (DPC) model creates a direct relationship between the doctor and the patient. DPC benefits patients by improving health outcomes and reducing health care costs. We focus on providing accessible, well-coordinated, and highly personalized primary care for our patients.
