Kidney Function and Health
Think of your kidneys as the unsung heroes of the body, the organs willing to do the dirty work to keep you healthy. They’re only the size of a fist – similar in size of an adult’s heart. The kidneys’ primary responsibility is to produce urine by filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood.
Beyond that, however, the kidneys are critical in maintaining the balance of hormones and other chemicals your body needs to function. They control your levels of acid, potassium and salt. They also manufacture the hormones linked to keeping blood pressure and calcium metabolism in check, and they extract drug waste once medications have served their purpose. The kidneys even regulate red blood cell production.
Caring for your kidneys is luckily as easy as caring for yourself. Many of the healthy lifestyle choices you make every day are steps toward healthy kidneys. Those include managing your blood pressure and cholesterol and getting regular exercise. What you put into your body is also important for kidney health. Incorporate plenty of whole grains, low-fat dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet and avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and sodium.
Drinking water helps your kidneys function at their optimum level. Water dilutes waste and helps clear out kidney stones before they get large enough to cause problems. But how much water is enough?
On average, the National Institutes of Health recommend drinking six to eight glasses of water a day. That number may be different if you live in a warm climate, are very active or have a disease that makes it difficult for your kidneys to process fluids.
To stay hydrated, try:
- Drinking water instead of sugary beverages such as juice
- Eating water-rich foods, such as soup, melon, cucumber and celery
- Avoiding beverages that can dehydrate you, such as alcohol
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