Kidneys are bean-shaped organs located deep in the abdomen on either side of your spine.
The kidneys are vital life-sustaining organs that perform numerous functions to keep the blood clean and chemically balanced.
• Their primary function is to filter wastes, excess water, and other impurities from your blood. These impurities are stored in your bladder and excreted out in the urine.
• Your kidneys also play a significant role in maintaining body fluid by maintaining a constant level of electrolytes and water.
• Your kidney produces Hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cell production.
• Your kidneys also help your body absorb calcium for bone building and muscle regulation by activating a form of vitamin D.
Kidney illness can cause numerous health problems such as heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, weak bones, nerve damage, and kidney failure.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history are possible risk factors. Additional risk factors to be considered are long-term use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen, autoimmune disorders, urinary tract infections, kidney stones.
Below mentioned are a few tests to evaluate kidney functioning.
BLOOD PRESSURE:
• High blood pressure can harm the kidneys' tiny blood vessels (glomeruli). It is the second leading cause of kidney failure, diabetes being the first.
• A score of less than 140/90 is considered normal for most people. If you have chronic kidney disease, keep your blood pressure below 130/80. A reading of less than 120/80 is considered optimal. Seek advice from your healthcare team to determine what is ideal for you.
MICROALBUMIN TEST:
• Albuminuria (albumin traces in the urine) may be an early sign of kidney disease. Proteinuria (proteins in the urine) indicates kidney damage.
• A score of less than 30 milligrams per gram of urinary creatinine is considered normal.
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE:
• This measure indicates how well the kidneys filter the blood. Doctors assess blood creatinine levels and perform a calculation to determine your glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Here are a few possible ways by which you can keep your kidneys healthy
1. HYDRATE YOURSELF AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Dehydration is the most common cause of kidney disease. Drink plenty of water. As water can help rinse toxins out of your system regularly. The color of urine should be straw. It could be a sign of dehydration if it becomes any darker.
*Drinking eight glasses of water per day is suggested for proper kidney function.
2. EAT HEALTHILY
VITAMIN C: Vitamin C dissolves kidney stones quickly. Citrus foods like oranges, cucumbers, and broccoli, which are a good source of Vitamin c, are beneficial for kidney function.
*Daily requirement of Vitamin C is 90mg for men and 75mg for women.
*If you have a chronic renal illness, too much vitamin C can induce oxalate to build up in your body. Your vitamin C needs may be varied if your kidneys aren't performing well or if you're on dialysis.
FATTY FISH:
Fishes like salmon, tuna and other cold-water fishes having high omega-3 fatty acid content can be a healthy supplement to any diet.
The body does not synthesize Omega-3 fatty acids, so they must be acquired through diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids, according to the National Kidney Foundation, lower blood pressure by lowering fat levels, so protecting kidneys naturally.
SWEET POTATOES:
Sweet potatoes are rich in many nutrients, such as potassium, that may balance sodium levels in the body and lessen its effect on kidneys.
KIDNEY BEANS
Kidney beans contain enough amount of protein. They contain soluble and insoluble fibers, which help keep the digestive tract healthy. Kidney beans are also beneficial to diabetics due to their low glycemic load. Kidney beans include vitamin B, which aids in the removal of renal stones and the regulation of kidney function.