Kidney Health is in Your Hands!

March is the month to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the start of spring, but did you also know it is National Kidney Month?

Your kidneys are some of the most hard-working organs in your body. Located below the rib cage on both sides of your spine, they perform multiple functions, including:

• Filtering blood and removing waste
• Controlling the production of red blood cells
• Regulating blood pressure
• Activating Vitamin D

According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for developing kidney health issues. Kidney disease can lead to many other serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and nerve damage. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure and if you’re over the age of 60. Additionally, African Americans are three times more likely to suffer from kidney failure. The scary part? Kidney disease can go unnoticed for many years because it often does not have symptoms.

There are many ways to keep your kidneys healthy. Exercise frequently, stay hydrated, don’t smoke, limit your alcohol intake, and take any prescribed medications from your doctor if you suffer from high blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar.

A healthy diet can also protect your kidneys and improve your overall health. Keep these items stocked in your kitchen:

• Berries, like blueberries and strawberries
• Apples
• Fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon
• Dark, leafy greens like kale and spinach
• Sweet potatoes

What to AVOID:

• Red meat
• Foods that are high in potassium, like bananas and avocados
• Canned/processed food
• High sodium
• Peanuts

Another common way people consider when trying to improve their kidney health is to take vitamins like B12 and folic acid, as well as various other supplements. If you suffer from bad breath, body odor or flatulence, it may be a sign your body is producing toxic chemicals, which can mean there may be kidney health issues.

Quality of Life’s Deodorex® offers detox support with Champex®, a patented extract of the champignon mushroom. This formula works to purify the blood and decrease levels of toxins like ammonia in the intestines. Taking Deodorex regularly can also help reduce your body’s level of uric acid, a natural waste byproduct that in high levels can be dangerous to your kidney health.  Keeping your kidneys healthy is important to us, which is why Deodorex uses only clinically researched ingredients. After all, your health is our priority! 

While the average person can survive on just 10% of their kidney function, that doesn’t mean you should take your kidney health for granted. Luckily, keeping your kidneys safe doesn’t require any expensive procedures or hard-to-find medications. Just by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you’re well on your way to happy kidneys!