How To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

High blood pressurediabetes or a family history of kidney failure put 1 in 3 Americans at an increased risk of developing kidney disease.

But even if you don’t have any of those risk categoriesit’s still important to take care of these critical organs that filter your blood.

Nephrologist James SimonMDexplains how you can keep your kidneys healthy.

How can you improve the health of your kidneys?

There are several things you can do to keep your kidneys as healthy as possible at every stage of life. Dr. Simon shares how to improve kidney health.

Hydratebut don’t overdo it

“Contrary to popular beliefstudies haven’t proven overhydration as an effective practice in enhancing kidney function,” clarifies Dr. Simon.

Sowhile it’s always a good idea to drink enough waterdrinking more than the typical four to six glasses a day probably won’t help your kidneys do their job any better.

Eat healthy foods

Dr. Simon points out that most kidney problems arise out of other medical conditions like high blood pressurediabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Because of thishe suggests you follow healthy eating habits to maintain a healthy weight and manage blood pressureincluding cutting out excess salt. Preventing diabetes and high blood pressure can help keep kidneys in good condition.

Exercise regularly

Like eating a well-balanced dietregular physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and stave off high blood pressure. But be mindful of how much exercise you doespecially if you’re not conditioned.

“Overexerting yourself when you’re not in good shape can lead to serious problemsespecially if you are at high risk for heart disease,” Dr. Simon cautions.

If you’re at high risk for heart disease and don’t exercise but want to starttalk to a healthcare provider before beginning any new workout program.

Use caution with supplements and herbal remedies

When it comes to how to keep your kidneys healthyyou may think adding a supplement or herbal remedy is the way to go. But not so fastsays Dr. Simon.

Excessive amounts of certain vitamin supplements and some herbal extracts may be harmful to your kidneys. Dr Simon advises talking to a healthcare provider about any vitamin supplements you plan to take.

Quit smoking (and vaping!)

Smoking can damage blood vesselswhich decreases the flow of blood in your kidneys. When your kidneys don’t have adequate blood flowthey can’t function at optimal levels. Smoking also increases the risk of high blood pressureas well as the risk of kidneyureter and bladder cancer.

While vaping may not expose someone to many of the toxins in tobacco smokethe nicotine is still very addictive and hard on the bodyDr. Simon states. Plusthere are many chemicals in the vaping solutions.

Don’t go overboard with over-the-counter medications

“Common nonprescription pills like ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAIDs) can cause kidney damage if taken too regularly over a prolonged period,” Dr. Simon warns.

If you have healthy kidneys and use these medicines for occasional painthey probably don’t pose a risk. But he says that if you take them for chronic pain or arthritisyou should talk to your doctor about monitoring your kidney function or finding alternative ways to manage your pain.

Consider regular kidney function screenings

“If you have diabeteshigh blood pressure or cardiovascular diseaseyour doctor should screen for kidney dysfunction as part of routine care for those conditions,” Dr. Simon recommends.

A kidney function test (typically a blood test) measures how well your kidneys are working.

Bottom line?

When you’re thinking about how to keep your kidneys healthythe most important thing you can do is to take care of your body to help reduce your chances of developing diseases that put a strain on your kidneys.

“Eat healthilyexercise regularly and control your weight,” Dr. Simon reiterates. “These healthy practices are not new and not necessarily specific to kidney health. But healthy kidneys like a healthy body.”