It is no exaggeration to say that the composition of the blood is determined not by what the mouth ingests but by what the kidneys keep - Homer William Smith
Kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease or CKD, causes more deaths than breast cancer or prostate cancer (NVS 2021 report of 2018 data). It is an under recognised public health crisis. 10% of the population worldwide is affected by CKD, and millions die each year because they do not have access to affordable treatment. 1
What do our kidneys do to keep us healthy? The basic functions include
Remove wastes and extra fluid from the body
Releases hormones that regulate our blood pressure
Balances the body fluids
Controls the pH Levels
Helps keep our bones healthy
Controls production of red blood cells
All of the blood in the body passes through the kidneys several times a day. The kidneys filter the blood which then returns into the body. The waste is turned into urine, which later leaves the body via the bladder. The two kidneys together filter up to 200 litres of fluid every twenty-four hours.
When the kidneys are not working properly, harmful toxins and excess fluids build up in the body. These symptoms of CKD can include high blood pressure, extreme tiredness or lethargy, persistent headaches, swelling in the face and ankles, fluid retention and/or lower back pain.
How do we keep out kidneys healthy? The attached mind map goes into detail on what you can do to keep your kidneys healthy. As usual if you think you may have a kidney problem consult a doctor.
If you want to take preventative action to maintain the health of your kidneys. Firstly, eat a healthy diet and the simple rules that apply to maintain the health of other major organs in your body apply equally to the kidney. So, any positive change you make to your diet will have multiple positive consequences. This is very reassuring and gives compounded benefits.
Undertaking regular movement as highlighted in the newsletter of July 2020 is also a good choice for maintaining “Kidney Health”.
The practices that lead to poor kidney health should not be a surprise. Avoiding added sugar, processed food, unhealthy fats, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive use of pain-killers. The list is extensive, however eliminating the bad choices will have positive effects for not just the kidneys but also for other major organs.
The mind map below captures the key information to remind you to “Take care of your kidneys”
1. World Kidney Day: Chronic Kidney Disease. 2015