National Kidney Month: How to Boost Kidney Health (And Why That's Important)
This month is National Kidney Month — a time to highlight the importance of your kidneys for your general wellness and immune system, plus how to boost your kidney health. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 9 out of 10 people with kidney disease don’t even know they have it. Today, let’s refocus on your kidney health this March!
Why Your Kidney Health Matters
You can’t see your kidneys when you look down at your abdomen. And unlike critical organs like your heart or your lungs, you don’t really “feel” them or think about them often. Yet your kidneys are incredibly foundational for your health and longevity.
“Your kidneys remove wastes and extra fluid from your body,” explains the NIDDK. “Your kidneys also remove acid that is produced by the cells of your body and maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals—such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium—in your blood. Without this balance, nerves, muscles, and other tissues in your body may not work normally.”
Your kidneys also have a direct link to your immune system:
- Your kidneys keep your immune system in balance
- Your kidneys play a role in the development and prevention of disease
- Your kidneys help filter out toxins that weaken your immune system
- Your kidneys support your immune system by actively removing bacteria and other substances
If you want a stronger immune system while you’re taking BioPro Plus-500, it’s time to pay attention to your kidney health.
How to Boost Your Kidney Health
1. Stay Hydrated
Because your kidneys are involved with filtering and flushing out waste, it’s important to stay hydrated. When you’re dehydrated, minerals and waste substances build up in your urine and can negatively impact your kidney health (for instance, your risk of kidney stones goes up if you don’t drink enough fluids).
Stay hydrated by:
- Drinking more fluids
- Eating hydrating foods, such as cucumbers or fruit
- Avoiding dehydrating foods and beverages, including salty foods and caffeinated beverages
2. Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet
Currently, research remains inconclusive about what type of diet is best for your kidney health.
However, a generally balanced diet has been shown to support optimal kidney function, reduce the risks of kidney diseases, and improve your kidney health.
“Choose foods that are healthy for your heart and your entire body: fresh fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products,” recommends the NIDDK. “Eat healthy meals, and cut back on salt and added sugars. Aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day. Try to have less than 10 percent of your daily calories come from added sugars.”
That last point is key.
When you eat too much sugar, your kidneys have to work extra hard to filter out the glucose in your system. Over time, this increased workload can damage your kidneys and lead to kidney diseases.
3. Only Use Effective Supplements
Be wary of overdoing it on supplements and over-the-counter medications. Focus on proven, pure supplements like BioPro-Plus 500, and be careful to take them as recommended.
Use caution when adding a new supplement or remedy to your routine and if you suffer from kidney issues, always ask your healthcare practitioner. According to the National Kidney Foundation, some specific supplements to be careful of effects on your kidneys include:
- Licorice root
- Yohimbe
- Barberry
- Creatine
- Goldenrod
- Astragalus
References:
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-kidney-month
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5904695/
- https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/kidney-health-information/living-with-kidney-disease/how-can-i-help-myself/hydration-for-kidney-health/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-secrets-to-keeping-your-kidneys-healthy-2/
- https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/herbalsupp