10 Healthy Habits That Will Keep Your Kidneys Happy

Smoking leads to hardened blood vessels, dramatically decreased lung capacity, blood toxicity levels that almost certainly lead to fatal diseases, depression, and a reduced ability to perform many physically taxing activities.

6. Take Vitamins and Eat a Healthy Diet

Vitamins and minerals are essential to maintaining good health. Vitamin B6 is very important for kidney function. A deficiency can lead to kidney stones, depression, low red blood cell count, lethargy, and more. To be sure you are getting enough B6, eat fish, liver, starchy vegetables, fruits, and potatoes. You can also consider taking a multivitamin designed for your sex, age, and health.

Magnesium, which is included in multi-vitamins, helps your body absorb calcium rather than having it build up in the kidneys and lead to stones. Salads, beans, nuts, and seed rich foods along with vitamins can help ensure you aren’t deficient in magnesium.

7. Get More Sleep

Sleep deprivation affects millions of Americans every single day. When you miss out on a full nights’ sleep on a regular basis, it can lead to decreased kidney functions and a host of other diseases. Kidney tissues are regenerated while we sleep. Less sleep equals fewer new kidney cells. Turn off the TV, cut out caffeine after 2PM, and go to bed on a regular schedule to help you form new sleeping habits.

8. Quit Holding It In

Avoiding urinating may seem innocent enough in our minds, but it can actually be very harmful to your health. Not only does holding in urine lead to discomfort and infections, it increases pressure on the kidneys, which leads to renal failure. Additionally, it can lead to urinary incontinence later in life.

9. Put the Salt Shaker Down

Many of us never taste our food before picking up the salt shaker. By pouring on salt to foods that are salty enough already, we raise our blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure is terrible for the kidneys. Remember to read food labels for sodium content. For best results, try to keep our salt intake to 5.8 grams or less daily.[7]

10. Stop Taking Too Many Painkillers

We all experience pain on a daily basis, and over the counter pain remedies are a convenient way to combat discomfort. Popping a couple pills to feel better is fine, but taking double doses is not ok. According to the FDA, overdosing on painkillers can lead to kidney damage or failure, so be sure you’re dosing yourself correctly.

Taking proper care of your kidneys now can help you avoid kidney failure later on in life. Eat healthy foods, get enough exercise, listen to your doctor, and get more sleep at night. Following these instructions will not only save your life later on down the road, it will help you lead a healthier, happier, and more comfortable life.