Today is World Kidney Day. It is a day set aside to raise awareness and educate people about kidney health.

So, are your kidneys healthy? Can they take you on your life’s journey for another 10…20..50 or perhaps 100 years?

Let’s give you some quick tips to keep your kidneys healthy:

Whatever you do, don’t self-prescribe! The fact that you have symptoms that kinda sound like the one your friend had yesterday, does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from the same ailment or that the same drugs would work. And that Aunty that is always free with medical advice, is not really a trained medical professional. So, odds are…she doesn’t really know what she’s talking about! 😀 Again, the chemist at the corner of the road, who you ask to ‘mix’ drugs for you knows absolutely nothing about the science of what is wrong with you, how much more, what drug to give you 😀 Trust me, even if someone says, ‘I have worked with pharmacists and doctors all my life’, it does not make him/her a pharmacist or doctor! 😀 So, give your kidneys a break and be sure to use only doctor’s prescription. Don’t abuse over-the-counter drugs either. Remember that every drug is a potential toxin and so exposing yourself unnecessarily messes with your kidneys.

Drink sufficient amounts of water daily. Remember that the 8 glasses of water dictum is not sacrosanct. It can absolutely be increased, like when people are in very hot climates.

Eat healthy and ensure that your weight is optimal. Remember that for a standard flat plate, fill half of it with fruits and vegetables, one quarter with proteins and the last quarter with complex carbohydrates (brown rice, oats, whole wheat bread etc)

Keep your blood pressure within normal limits. Lifestyle modifications help: reduce salt intake, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, reduce alcohol intake, stop smoking, use less oil when cooking etc.

Keep your blood sugar within normal limits. Remember to stay lean and stay active. Staying lean speaks to eating lots of fruits and vegetables, staying active speaks to getting enough exercise daily and keeping your weight within normal limits. Reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking even help.

Exercise helps to keep you healthy and lowers your blood pressure which ultimately protect your kidneys.

Quit smoking as this reduces blood flow to your kidneys which in turn affects their functions.

Be sure to have your kidney function checked regularly if you’re diabetic, hypertensive, obese or have relations with kidney disease.

Let’s make the necessary change (s) to keep our kidneys healthy. We’ve got the power!!!

Have a good evening 😀

Here’s to a healthier you!