10 Simple Habits to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

The Hardest Working Organs

Your kidneys are responsible for filtering waste out of your blood, balancing your body's fluids, and releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure. Protecting them is absolutely vital.

Top Habits for Kidney Health

1. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys clear sodium, urea, and toxins from the body.
2. Control Your Blood Sugar: High blood sugar over years causes damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys. diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of kidney failure.
3. Monitor Your Blood Pressure: Just like high sugar, high pressure damages the delicate filtering units in your kidneys.
4. Don't Overuse Painkillers: Regular, long-term use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) can harm kidney function.
5. Eat a Balanced Diet: Reduce salt intake. A high-sodium diet increases blood pressure, straining the kidneys.

If you are over 60, or have a history of diabetes or high blood pressure, you should have your kidney function tested (Creatinine level) at least once a year.