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How to Keep Kidneys Healthy: 11 Ways to Keep Your Kidney Healthy

26 Sep, 2024

This article is medically reviewed by Dr. Yash Mathur, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Borivali.

Table of Contents

Kidneys are one of the critical organs of the human body. From waste filtration to vitamin D activation, from blood pressure regulation to blood sugar regulation, the kidneys are responsible for numerous biological activities within the body.

Therefore, we need to know how to keep kidneys healthy, how to improve kidney function, and lastly, understand how prevention of kidney disease can be achieved.

Function of Kidney and Importance of Kidney Health

Kidneys have several functions within the body, and therefore, keeping them healthy is of paramount importance. The following are the important functions of kidneys:

11 Ways to Keep Your Kidney Healthy

The internet is flooded with questions, like “How to keep kidneys healthy?”; “How to know your kidney is healthy?”; “How to maintain kidney health?”; or even “How to improve kidney function?”

In this section, we are extensively discussing the important kidney health tips that are going to help in the prevention of kidney diseases and keep the kidneys strong and healthy.

1. Exercises for Kidney Health

Some of the best exercises for kidney health are:

Aerobic Exercises

  • Adequate blood circulation is important for the overall health of the kidneys and improved kidney function.
  • Aerobic exercises, such as jogging, brisk walking, cycling, dancing, and swimming, improve heart rate, enhance circulation, and control blood pressure, which is important in enhancing kidney health.

Weightlifting Exercise

  • Resistance training is also touted to be the best exercise for kidney health.
  • Resistance exercises support healthy kidney function and are effective in patients with chronic kidney diseases.

Balance Exercises

  • Several balance exercises, such as straight-line walking, backward walking, and standing on one leg at a time, should be performed regularly.
  • Balance exercises keep the patients fit, improve muscle health, and improve overall kidney health.

Yoga and Stretching

  • Yoga and stretching relax the body, and these are some of the best exercises for kidney health.
  • They improve sleep and provide proper rest for the body. They keep the internal organs healthy and detoxify the whole body.

2. Best Food and Fruits Good for Kidney Health

Some of the foods good for kidneys are:

Red Bell Peppers

  • It is one of the best foods for kidneys. Unlike several other vegetables, red bell peppers have a low potassium content.
  • They are rich in vitamins A, B9, B6, vitamin C, and lycopene.
  • Red bell peppers are also good for patients with chronic kidney disease.

Cabbage

  • Several nutritional constituents are present in cabbage, which makes it a good food for kidney health.
  • These protect the kidney cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.
  • Cabbage is low in sodium and potassium and is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B complex, and fiber.
  • This makes it the best food for kidney. Cabbage juice is found to protect the kidneys against lead-induced toxicity.

Cauliflower

  • One of the important vegetables good for kidneys is cauliflower.
  • Cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B9, and fiber. Cauliflower contains glucosinolates, indoles, and thiocyanates.
  • These compounds assist the liver in neutralizing toxins that may harm the cells of the body, including the kidneys.
  • Further, cauliflower, in steamed and mashed form, is a great alternative to mashed potatoes for patients with kidney disease.

Garlic

  • Garlic is also one of the foods good for kidneys.
  • It enhances kidney function through several mechanisms. It reduces inflammation, which negatively affects kidney health.
  • Second, it has a diuretic property that assists the kidneys in performing their function, thereby making it a good food for kidney health.

Onions

  • These are rich in vitamin C and calcium.
  • They improve kidney function by reducing blood viscosity and lowering blood pressure, which makes onions the best food for kidney disease.

Apples

  • Apple is low in phosphorus, potassium, and sodium, so it is the best food for kidney disease.
  • Apples also have excellent anti-inflammatory properties that accelerate the healing of injured kidney tissues.

Cranberries

  • When it comes to fruits, cranberries are good for the kidneys.
  • Cranberries are high in vitamin C and low in phosphorus. It also lowers the risk of urinary tract infections.

Blueberries

  • Blueberries are considered the best food for kidney health, thanks to their powerful antioxidant properties that prevent free radicals from damaging the kidney cells.
  • They are also rich in vitamin C, which improves the immune system and reduces the risk of urinary tract infections.

Raspberries

  • Raspberries contain a significant amount of vitamin C, manganese, vitamin B9, and fiber.
  • It also contains an antioxidant compound, ellagic acid, which helps neutralize free radicals. Hence, raspberries can be included in the diet for kidney patients.

Strawberries

  • Strawberries are one of the fruits good for kidney health.
  • They are low in sodium and potassium, and therefore, consuming them can positively impact kidney function and kidney health.
  • It contains antioxidants, vitamin C, manganese, and fibers.

Cherries

  • Cherries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • It contains a low amount of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus and a high number of phytochemicals and antioxidants.

Red Grapes

  • Red grapes are one of the fruits good for kidney health, as they contain a flavonoid known as resveratrol that increases the blood flow to the kidneys.
  • Red grapes also possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Egg White

  • Unlike meat or egg yolk, egg white has a lower phosphorus content, which makes one of the foods good for the kidneys.
  • It provides essential amino acids and maintains albumin levels.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity and overweight increase the risk of hypertension and diabetes, which in turn increase the risk of kidney disease.

Maintaining a healthy weight through routine exercise and a kidney-friendly diet is important.

A well-planned diet for kidney patients comprises vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

4. Get Enough Sleep

Studies have concluded that poor sleep increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. People should take measures to improve sleep duration and quality, especially those at increased risk of kidney diseases.

Poor sleep directly causes renal dysfunction through sympathetic nervous system activation and indirectly through increased inflammation, resulting in glomerular injury. People should aim for at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

5. Stop Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of kidney diseases through several mechanisms. Firstly, it reduces the effect of blood pressure medications, resulting in poorly controlled blood pressure.

High blood pressure may cause kidney disease. Secondly, smoking reduces blood flow to the kidneys and other vital organs. In patients with kidney diseases, quitting smoking may reverse or delay the progression of kidney damage.

Smokers should consult their doctors regarding customized measures that may help them quit smoking.

6. Limit Alcohol Intake

People who drink alcohol in excess quantities are at twice the risk of kidney disease. This risk further increases if the person is also a smoker.

The kidneys of heavy drinkers need to function harder. Prolonged heavy drinking results in kidney dysfunction. Further, people who drink a considerable quantity of alcohol within a short period of time have dangerously high blood alcohol levels.

It causes an acute kidney injury. Therefore, it is important to drink in moderation, or better yet, quit alcohol consumption.

7. Explore Stress-Reducing Activities

If not managed, prolonged stress results in several harmful effects on the body, such as a faster heart rate, increased blood pressure, and higher fat and sugar levels in the blood.

High blood pressure and high sugar levels in the blood damage the filtering units of the kidneys, resulting in kidney dysfunction. It is, therefore, important to practice stress-reducing activities.

These include getting involved in hobbies, doing yoga and meditation, sleeping well, and performing prayers.

8. Manage Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Heart Disease

High blood sugar levels damage the filtering units of the kidneys, resulting in diabetic nephropathy.

High blood pressure and underlying cardiovascular diseases also increase the risk of kidney problems.

It is important to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease through medications and lifestyle modifications. Routine sugar and blood pressure checks help reduce the risk of kidney disease.

9. Drink Plenty of Fluids

Guidelines recommend drinking optimum fluid to produce a urine volume of about 2 to 2.5 liters per day.

It helps reduce the risk of stone formation and urinary tract infections. Further, studies also indicate that drinking plenty of fluid prevents kidney damage.

Drinking enough water after taking certain medications may also reduce the risk of kidney damage.

However, patients on dialysis should consult with their healthcare provider about the volume of water to be taken during the day.

10. Be Aware of the Amount of OTC Pills You Take

Apart from increasing blood pressure and causing gastric ulcers and bleeding, several over-the-counter medications, especially anti-inflammatory medications, have a damaging effect on the kidneys.

Those wondering how to maintain kidney health should avoid taking these medications frequently or for a prolonged period. They should consult with their healthcare providers before taking these drugs.

11. Have Your Kidney Function Tested if You’re at High Risk

Certain factors increase the risk of kidney disease. These include hypertension, diabetes, obesity or overweight, heart disease, a family history of chronic kidney disease, advanced age, and inherited renal disorders.

People with one or more of these risk factors should undergo routine kidney examinations.

How to Know Your Kidney is Healthy?

There are several ways to know if your kidneys are healthy. The following are some of the signs your kidneys are functioning well:

  • You have normal urination.
  • You have pale yellow urine.
  • You have no swelling or puffiness due to water retention.
  • You have clear and healthy skin.
  • You have no muscle cramping or any sort of discomfort on the side or the back.

That said, some kidney diseases may not have any symptoms initially, and their symptoms become apparent as the disease advances. Therefore, it is important to consider regular health check-ups, which may involve physical examinations and imaging of kidneys.

When to see a Nephrologist?

Patients with the following symptoms should consult with nephrologists:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Muscle cramps
  • Increased urination frequency, especially at night
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Foamy or bubbly urine
  • Swollen ankles, hands, or feet
  • Itchy skin
  • Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

Conclusion

Kidneys are vital organs in the human body. They perform several essential functions, such as waste filtration, fluid homeostasis, blood pressure management, formation of red blood cells, detoxification, activation of vitamin D, excretion of drug metabolites, electrolytic balance, blood sugar regulation, and acid-base balance.

Several measures help maintain optimal health of the kidneys. Some of the important kidney health tips include a healthy diet, routine exercise, managing underlying medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension, quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation (or avoiding alcohol), drinking plenty of fluid, and undergoing a routine renal examination.

The doctor may suggest specific foods for kidney disease. People may consult with healthcare providers about how to improve kidney function through food and exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions

The early signs of kidney disease include weakness, loss of appetite, swollen feet, hands, and ankles, edema below the eyes, shortness of breath, itchy skin, altered urination frequency, and back pain.

Certain kidney health tips, including drinking plenty of fluids, consuming apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, kidney beans, pomegranate, basil, watermelon, dandelion, and dates, and sleeping well, can help you keep your kidneys healthy naturally. Doctors may recommend consuming certain foods to avoid to prevent kidney disease.

Calcium is an important mineral in the body that performs several necessary functions. A deficiency of calcium results in reduced bone density, muscle cramps, and weakness. However, excess calcium in the blood enhances the risk of the formation of stones in the urinary tract. Patients with kidney diseases are recommended to limit their daily consumption of total calcium to less than 2000 mg.

Several factors affect kidney health. These include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, obesity, overweight, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, urinary tract obstruction, the use of certain medications, and severe dehydration. Consult a doctor to get more detailed information on how to maintain kidney health.

There are a few foods to avoid with kidney diseases. Salt, sugar, sodas, caffeine, meat, and dairy products in excessive quantities can affect kidney health and therefore they should be avoided or consumed in moderation.

The person should start with 10-15 minutes of mild exercise daily and gradually switch to more strenuous exercises, such as aerobic exercise. Ideally, one should perform exercise for 30 to 60 minutes daily on most days of the week.

Keeping the kidneys in perfect health is a complex process. It requires the consumption of several vitamins to optimize and maintain kidney health. The vitamins that play an important role in reducing the risk of kidney diseases include vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and vitamin D.

Adopting an active lifestyle that comprises a balanced diet and regular exercise, along with routine health checkups, can help you keep your kidneys healthy.

It is also important to refrain from habits such as excessive sodium intake, excessive alcohol consumption, a high-protein diet, excessive consumption of OTC medicines, etc., as these can affect the normal functioning of kidneys and overall health.

Yes, in some cases, kidney function can improve itself when it is supported by appropriate lifestyle modifications. For kidney functions to improve, you need to eat healthy, keep yourself hydrated, exercise regularly, sleep adequately, and avoid activities that put unnecessary strain on your kidneys.

If kidney damage is detected in the early stages, either through the symptoms it causes or through a health checkup, it is possible to address the underlying cause and improve kidney function.

However, if the kidney damage is left unmanaged for a long period and is chronic, it may not be possible to reverse the damage completely.

Yes, certain medications can negatively impact kidney health with long-term use. Medications, namely NSAIDs, antibiotics, some blood pressure medications, and others, can cause kidney damage and affect normal kidney functioning.

If you are worried about your medications affecting your kidney health, you must talk to your doctor.

Kidneys play a significant role in protein metabolism. Once the proteins are digested, they produce byproducts that are processed by the kidneys to be eliminated via urine.

When one adopts a high-protein diet, it causes excess strain on the kidneys and affects their functioning over time.

To keep the kidneys healthy, it is important to consume a balanced diet that has daily recommended quantities of proteins and other macro- and micronutrients.

Yes, stress can harm kidney health. Excess stress contributes to chronic inflammation, hypertension, inadequate sleep, and exacerbation of existing health problems, which contribute to an increased risk of kidney damage.

References

About the Author

Reviewer’s Bio : Dr. Gaurav Goel
Consultant – Surgical Oncology
MBBS, DNB (General Surgery), DNB (Surgical Oncology)

Dr. Gaurav Goel is a seasoned surgical oncologist practicing at HCG Cancer Centre, a leading cancer hospital in Jaipur. He has over 12 years of experience in the surgical management of a broad spectrum of cancers. Dr. Gaurav’s expertise lies in the following areas of oncology: head and neck oncology, gynecological oncology, breast oncology, and gastrointestinal oncology. As a skilled surgical oncologist, Dr. Gaurav follows a patient-centered approach to care that is tailored to each individual's unique needs and circumstances.

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