KIDNEY HEALTH

Kidney health is just as important as heart health.

Once your kidneys stop working, so does your body.

How can you ensure you are taking good care of your kidneys?

1. EAT A HEALTHY DIET

Eat fresh foods and avoid fast food and high salt or high sugar choices. Too much salt leads to high blood pressure which damages kidneys.

2. STAY HYDRATED

Drink water throughout the day and avoid sugary drinks

3. EXERCISE FOR 30 MINUTES A DAY

Talk with your doctor about what exercise appropriate for you      - try to get your heart rate up-

4. MAKE SURE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS IN A GOOD RANGE

Have it checked at your doctor's office and if needed check it for a week to make sure the numbers are accurate and stable at home

5. MAKE SURE YOUR WEIGHT IS IN A GOOD RANGE

Extra weight can mean extra strain on your body

6. LIMIT ALCOHOL INTAKE

Alcohol dehydrates you, affects the normal function of kidneys and can affect your blood pressure

7. LIMIT CAFFEINE INTAKE - ESPECIALLY FANCY COFFEE DRINKS

Caffeine causes a short increase in blood pressure and specialty drinks from coffee places can add in a significant amount of sugar

8. QUIT SMOKING

Smoking can affect some of the medicines used to treat high blood pressure. Smoking also slows the blood flow to important organs like the kidneys.

For more information on kidney health check out these resources:

American Kidney Fund

National Kidney Foundation