They say, take care of your heart, but it is equally important to take care of the kidneys too. The importance of this amazing organ is often overlooked by the patients until they develop some kidney disease. This amazing pair of organs is helpful to us in many ways. A layman might not know that the kidney function is not limited to the blood filtration process; rather, it helps in the blood pressure management, keeping an apt level of fluids and electrolytes, making hormones to keep the bones and the strong healthy. If they ever fail or become diseased, harmful wastes may buildup in the body leading to the impaired function of the other organs.
Damage to the kidneys is often reversible, so it is advised to take care of the kidneys with the help of a better renal diet plan. The internet is flooded with too much information about what to eat during kidney disease, but hardly anyone suggests what a patient should avoid foods that are harmful to kidneys.
Here are some of the lifestyle things that are unhealthy for the patients:
Salt
The overloaded consumption of sodium can raise the blood pressure level, which puts pressure on the kidneys. Doctors typically suggest a unit of 2300 mg be an ideal consumption of sodium in a day, which is about a single teaspoon of salt. Moreover, the processed and frozen food we consume is also loaded with sodium to improve their shelf-life.
Here are some of the foods lurking in your kitchen and holds too much sodium:
- Canned soups
- Frozen dinners
- Processed meats like lunch, hot dogs, sausages
- Ketchup and soy sauce
- Pickled foods
- Vegetables that are canned
Sugar
Sugar is found in most foods, processed, and even in some natural foods. Fruits are a source of natural sugar, which is loaded with many vitamins and minerals. You will be amazed to know that bread, ketchup, barbeque, and other snack food are also loaded with too much sugar.
Sodas
According to the American Kidney Fund, consuming two or more carbonated sodas, diet, or sugar, may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. Carbonated and energy drinks have both may turn on the risk of kidney stones.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, soda, and some caffeine foods can put a strain on your kidneys. Caffeine is one such stimulant that can raise blood flow, blood pressure, and burden on the kidneys at an exponential rate. Excessive consumption of caffeine is also linked to the development of stones in the kidneys.
Meat and Dairy products
Diets rich in animal protein and dairy products can pressurize the kidneys to work with more. The damage to the kidneys by consuming protein is hard to control, making it hard for them to filter the waste products. A high-protein diet may worsen the existing kidney problems if your diet is not under control. Various studies have shown positive outcomes with a shift towards the healthy plant protein diet from an animal-basedd protein. Green veggies are a nutritional powerhouse that can prevent chronic kidney disease if you are taking kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda.
Genetically modified organisms
A large portion of our diet (processed foods) has genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, studies on animals indicate serious health issues related to GMOs and out of which the kidneys are the affected organ.
It is impossible to avoid foods, but yes, you can consume processed foods in moderation to reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease.
Once you are linked to any kidney disease, it is hard to recover their function until you take the help of Ayurveda. It is very costly to make up for the damage to the kidneys; you need to be rigid on your diet and healthy lifestyle habits.
Besides, if you have any kidney problems that should be treated, take the help of Ayurvedic treatment for kidney disease.
