Secrets to Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

High blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney failure put one in three Americans at an increased risk of developing kidney disease. But even if you don’t have any of those risk categories, it’s important to take care of these critically important organs.

There are several things you can do to keep your kidneys as healthy as possible at every stage of life:

Quit smoking (and vaping!). Smoking can damage blood vessels, which decreases the flow of blood in the kidneys. When the kidneys don’t have adequate blood flow, they can’t function at optimal levels. Smoking also increases the risk of high blood pressure as well as the risk of kidney cancer. While vaping may not expose someone to many of the toxins in tobacco smoke, the nicotine is still very addictive and hard on the body.

Use caution with supplements and herbal remedies. Excessive amounts of certain vitamin supplements and some herbal extracts may be harmful to your kidneys. Talk to your doctor about any vitamins and herbs you plan to take.

Exercise regularly. Like eating a well-balanced diet, regular physical activity can stave off weight gain and high blood pressure. But do be mindful of how much exercise you do, especially if you’re not conditioned. “Overexerting yourself when you’re not in good shape can lead to serious problems, especially if you are at high risk for heart disease.

Eat healthy foods. out that most kidney problems arise out of other medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Because of this, he suggests you follow healthy eating habits to control weight and blood pressure. Preventing diabetes and high blood pressure will help keep kidneys in good situation.

Secrets to Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy