From the start of the 21st-century usage of filters in the form of masks has been a part of our daily life to restrict ourselves from consuming air which is a mixture of pollution eliminated by us, our body has also a filter mechanism which helps to filter out our blood and keep our body as healthy as possible which is renowned as kidney.
The kidney is essential for any individual’s health because it keeps your chemical level balanced along with regulating substances that are helpful and harmful to the body, it keeps body’s essential parameters in check all the time but even a minor mistake in taking care of kidney can affect you overall health and mess with every function of your body. So to keep your health on track one can visit the best nephrology hospital in town to keep your health updated. Listed down are some basic hacks to keep your kidney safe and on track.
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Understanding Kidney Function
Most of us know that the major function of the kidney is to remove waste which involves a highly complete process of excretion from the body and maintain chemical levels. But what most of us don’t know is that the kidney also regulates the body’s salt, potassium and acid content which produce hormones and affect the function of other organs. To keep this hormone on track one should check the status of kidney health once in 6 months from the best nephrologists in Ahmedabad or any other city as it helps one to study their overall body system and health.
2. Essential nutrients for body health
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Water and hydration
To let kidneys work properly water is the most essential element as it helps provide nutrients to other parts of the body along with preventing the chances of having kidney stones. Moreover, the need to hydrate the body can be known through the color of urine but it is highly preferred to have 3.7 liters of water per day as it also helps in the process of fluid management which is essential to keep every body organ and part active with its pipeline and flow.
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Sodium (salt) intake
Sodium is one of the most essential nutrients required for the sustenance of the body as it performs crucial processes such as balancing blood fluid level, nerve transmission and muscle but intake of excessive salt can lead to an increase in blood pressure. When one consumes excessive salt one’s body increases blood volume due to the retention of excessive fluid resulting in an imbalance in the volume of blood pressure along with it one can also have the risk of having hypertension which can result in a risk of having heart disease, stroke and other problems.
To avoid the risk of high blood pressure and hypertension they can have dietary modifications with balanced consumption of salt in their every meal, adequate hydration and consulting health care professionals regularly.
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Potassium management
Potassium is one of the vital nutrients required for the performance of nerve and muscle function as it helps for functions such as,
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Nerve impulse transmission – necessary for perfect communication between nerves.
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Muscle contraction – Necessary for smooth muscle function
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Fluid balance – To maintain blood pressure and prevent dehydration
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Acid-Base balance – Maintaining overall PH level
Moreover, this function can only be performed when the overall potassium in the body is managed by a perfect diet with rich potassium food, moderation by avoiding excessive consumption of high potassium components, Proper hydration and balancing other electrolytes.
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Protein Consumption
Protein is an essential nutrient required for the maintenance of the kidney but excessive consumption particularly from animal sources can lead to several issues such as:
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Increased kidney filtration – Require more pressure to eliminate waste.
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risk of kidney stones – More protein can lead to the formation of urinary calcium leading to the formation of stones in the kidney.
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Reduced kidney function – With more protein the filtration system takes more time to process than usual resulting in reduced kidney function.
To avoid these problems there are several steps that one can take for proper function of the kidney.
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Balanced diet – With a balanced diet one can easily consume protein whenever required.
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Stay hydrated – with proper consumption of water one can easily eliminate waste and m excessive protein.
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Diversifying protein intake – With incorporating different sources of protein one can have a well-rounded protein intake.
3. Kidney-Friendly Diet Plans
A. DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet
Dash is generally the perfect approach for having great heart health but it can be also beneficial for maintaining proper health of the kidney with benefits such as
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Reduced Blood Pressure – With its richness in potassium, magnesium, calcium and fiber along with less sodium intake it can easily help one to have balanced and reduced blood pressure if needed
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Lower protein intake – As DASH is more dependent on moderate protein intake one can not have excessive protein which eventually strains kidney function.
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Balanced nutrients – DASH focuses on having balanced meals with enough intake of nutrients with whole grains, lean protein, fruits and low-fat dairy products.
Listed down are some simple meal plans for having a proper DASH meal
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Breakfast – Whole grain toast, herbal tea, yogurt with fruits, almond butter.
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Lunch – grilled paneer or chicken, a piece of fruit, chickpea salad with tomatoes, cucumbers
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Dinner – Baked paneer, vegetables and mixed berries yogurt
Moreover, meal plans depend upon individual requirements and choices but they should be properly balanced with protein and nutrients.
B. Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet has numerous health benefits but majorly it is one of the best meal plans to have perfect kidney health with
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Blood Pressure Control
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Anti-flamotory effects
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balanced nutrients
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reduced-sodium
As the Mediterranean diet includes a whole-food approach for meal plans it may include food components such as lean protein, whole grains, dairy products and moderate wine.
4. The Role of Nephrologists and Dietitians
Nephrologists and dieticians play crucial roles in maintaining our overall kidney health but collaborative care can result in the best way possible with Diagnosis and assessment, treatment plans, nutritional guidance, monitoring process and prevention. But these can only be possible if you consult healthcare professionals regularly as they help one with individualized plans, medication interaction and education.
Conclusion
Moreover, kidney health depends upon the number of nutrients, proteins and other elements we consume along with maintaining a proper diet and fitness regime but whenever one feels any of the symptoms or dullness in their body they should consult for medical care as soon as possible.