03.01.2015 •

Top 5 Tips for Healthy Kidneys

When was the last time you thought about your kidneys? Most people rarely, if ever, think about these important organs. After all, why would you need to focus on your kidneys if they aren’t causing you any problems? Whether you pay attention to them or not, your kidneys are vital to your life, responsible for filtering 200 liters of blood daily. What’s more, they sift out approximately two liters of waste and water every day, converting it to urine. As if that wasn’t enough, your kidneys also produce hormones that affect the health of your blood, bones, and heart.

National Kidney Month

Do you know that kidney disease kills more people than breast and prostate cancers combined each year? March is National Kidney Month, aimed to raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of kidney disease. Show your kidneys some love this month by remembering to keep them as healthy as possible. Here are some natural tips to help you do just that.

  1. Drink lots of pure, filtered water each day: Although the jury is still out on the ideal quantity of water and other fluids you should consume, it is vital to keep your body well hydrated. Traditional wisdom suggests that drinking at least six to eight glasses (or about 64 ounces) of filtered water every day will help your kidneys remove toxins from your body. Ensuring you drink plenty of water will also help in digestion, regulating body temperature, and properly maintaining blood volume and concentration.
  2. Don’t fight the urge to urinate: One of the key functions of your kidneys is to filter your blood. Turning your back on your bladder when it is time to urinate will cause it to stretch beyond its capacity. So, when you do finally go, your bladder may not completely empty, leaving extra amounts of waste and water that could result in urinary tract infections.
  3. Eat right: Eating healthy will help prevent diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions associated with chronic kidney disease. To maintain healthy kidney functioning, limit salty and processed foods. Instead, increase your intake of kidney strengthening foods like green tea, watermelon, cauliflower, asparagus, garlic, parsley, celery, cranberries, and fish.
  4. Exercise regularly: Studies have shown that obesity is directly linked to kidney-related concerns. In fact, overweight individuals are twice as likely to develop kidney problems, making it critical to keep your weight under control. Exercising daily will help you shed unwanted pounds and improve your kidney health.
  5. Use red reishi mushrooms: Renowned in ancient Eastern medicine for its health and healing benefits, Japanese red reishi mushrooms can significantly help in the regulatory functions of the kidneys. Not only can this astonishing fungus boost your immune system, fight cancer, fend off heart disease, relieve allergies, and decrease inflammation, it can also help to prevent and treat kidney disease, making it an important addition to National Kidney Month.

Of course, to get the best benefits from red reishi, quality is key. Mikei is the most trusted reishi product in Canada, and has been used worldwide since 1997. Your kidneys were meant to last a lifetime. Following these simply tips will help you keep them healthy and happy for many years to come.

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Dr. Melissa Carr is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a B.Sc. in Kinesiology. In practice since 2001, Dr. Carr has a passion for sharing health information. She has been a nutrition instructor and a health consultant, lecturer, and writer for 24 Hours Vancouver newspaper, Fraser Health Authority, UBC, and the David Suzuki Foundation, amongst others.