Eating Right for Healthy Kidneys

It is always a great time to start eating right for healthy kidneys. Our kidneys are responsible for keeping our blood clean and chemically balanced. They do this by filtering out the natural waste products and extra water our body produces, while returning essential chemicals like sodium, potassium, and phosphorus back into our blood stream. So, maintaining healthy kidneys is vital for maintaining our overall good health.

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Despite the importance of our kidneys to our overall good health, most of us generally do not give these vital organs much thought. This is probably because it typically takes years before we discover that we might have poor kidney health. Two of the main causes of poor kidney health are diabetes and high blood pressure, two health issues that can be related to poor nutritional habits.

By developing healthy eating habits, it may be possible to reduce the chances of poor blood pressure health and poor diabetes health. Since, excess dietary sodium may raise blood pressure, limiting high sodium foods from our diets may help support normal blood pressure health.

Diabetes health is related to blood sugar control. According to the American Diabetes Association, carbohydrate counting is one way to manage blood sugar levels. Dietary carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels, so consuming the right amount and right kind (complex) of carbohydrates is important. Another approach is to consume carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index.

These carbohydrates have less of an impact on raising blood sugar levels and therefore can be a good choice for supporting normal blood sugar health. With the rate of both diabetes and hypertension increasing over the last few years (diabetes has increased 13.5% between the years 2005 and 2007), it is becoming more and more important to watch what you eat.

For individuals with chronic kidney disease, it is often necessary to follow a strict dietary regimen. Diets for individuals with kidney disease typically are lower in protein to ease the kidney's burden and lower in sodium to help support healthy blood pressure for better kidney function. These diets may also be lower in potassium and phosphorus in order to help ease the workload of the kidneys. It is important to work with a physician and registered dietician in order to plan an appropriate dietary regimen for chronic kidney disease.

No matter what your current health status, it is always a good idea to develop healthy eating habits. This is an important part of good overall health and gives us all a better opportunity at a long, fulfilling life!