Your kidneys perform the important job of removing toxins and other waste products from your bloodstream. Many health conditions, including hepatitis and high blood pressure, can compromise your kidney function. Following a healthy diet and making changes to your lifestyle can help you maintain good kidney function and may slow the progression of some types of kidney disease.
Instructions
1. Drink lots of water to maintain normal kidney function. Kidneys need water to flush away toxins from your body. Try to drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water each day.
2. Get underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes under control. These diseases can negatively affect kidney function if they are not managed properly. Ask for blood-glucose and blood-pressure readings at your yearly physical.
3. Maintain a healthy weight to avoid kidney disease and maintain normal kidney function. People who are overweight as well as those with high cholesterol are at a greater risk of developing kidney disease. Consult your doctor for a personalized weight-loss program.
4. Get your daily dose of exercise. Exercising not only helps most people lose weight, but it also keeps your body's organs healthier and running more smoothly. Walking, jogging, swimming or any other workout you enjoy is beneficial to your renal health.
5. Steer clear of drugs, alcohol and tobacco products. Alcohol and street drugs are especially damaging to your kidneys and can be lethal if you already have compromised kidney function. Even over-the-counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen may not be safe for you to use if you have kidney disease.
6. Eat a healthy diet that is primarily low in fat, sodium and cholesterol. Sodium can cause an increase in your blood pressure and may make your kidneys work harder to remove waste products.
7. Watch your intake of dietary phosphorus, a naturally occurring element, if you have impaired kidney function. High phosphorus levels can impede the absorption of calcium in your body, which may lead to osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Limiting dairy products as well as eating refined grains such as white bread and rice can regulate phosphorus levels. The Mayo Clinic website gives more low-phosphorus food ideas for people with kidney disease (see "Additional Resources," below).
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