Healthy kidneys are the foundation of a strong body. So, how can you know if your kidneys are working efficiently? Discover with Vitatree the ways to keep your kidneys functioning smoothly and the warning signs when they’re not in good health.
Overview of kidney health
The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining overall health but are susceptible to various external factors. To implement measures to maintain and support kidney health, you need to understand the following important information:
What are kidneys?
The kidneys are one of the five vital organs in the body, located below the rib cage and behind the abdominal cavity. Every person is born with two kidneys on either side, which are bean-shaped and responsible for filtering blood, eliminating waste, and regulating water and electrolyte balance.
Image of the kidneys in the human body
The kidneys not only remove waste from the body but also regulate blood pressure, balance salt and water levels, and produce necessary hormones. When kidneys are healthy, bodily functions run smoothly, ensuring comprehensive health balance.
8 warning signs of unhealthy kidneys
Recognizing early warning signs when your kidneys are having issues is crucial for kidney health. Pay attention to these signs to take timely protective and supportive measures to improve kidney function.
Lower back pain is a sign that your body is indicating unhealthy kidneys
1. Fatigue: When the kidneys do not function well, waste is not filtered properly, leading to prolonged fatigue and weakness.
2. Changes in urination: Frequent nighttime urination, painful urination, foamy or bloody urine, or unusual colour and odour can indicate kidney issues.
3. Dry and itchy skin: Decreased kidney function can reduce skin moisture, leading to dryness and itchy patches.
4. Loss of appetite and nausea: Accumulation of waste in the body, if not filtered by the kidneys, can cause nausea or loss of appetite.
5. Back or rib pain: Persistent pain in the lower back or sides may indicate kidney problems.
6. Swelling: Weak kidneys lead to fluid retention in the body, causing swelling, especially in the legs, arms, and face.
7. Shortness of breath: Fluid buildup in the lungs due to weak kidneys can cause difficulty breathing and reduced respiratory capacity.
8. High blood pressure: The kidneys play a key role in regulating blood pressure. Weakened kidney function can affect this, leading to negative impacts on overall health.
Ways to check kidney health
Nowadays, there are various methods to quickly and easily check the health of your kidneys. Here are three recommended methods by experts and doctors:
Blood tests help assess kidney health status
1. Blood tests: Among blood tests, measuring creatinine and BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) levels is crucial for assessing kidney health.
- Creatinine: Produced during muscle breakdown and filtered out by the kidneys, high blood levels of creatinine can indicate ineffective kidney function.
- BUN: Measures the amount of urea in the blood, formed from protein breakdown. High BUN levels may indicate decreased kidney function or issues related to diet and overall health. Combining these indicators helps doctors evaluate kidney filtration and waste removal capabilities, allowing for appropriate treatment plans.
2. Urine tests: Normally, urine contains only small amounts of protein and glucose. Increased levels of these substances in urine can indicate kidney damage or dysfunction, leading to conditions like proteinuria or diabetes. Abnormal levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and crystals in urine can indicate infections, kidney stones, or other serious kidney issues.
3. Kidney ultrasound and X-rays: Imaging methods are important for assessing kidney structure and detecting tumours, kidney stones, or other abnormalities quickly and accurately.
How to keep your kidneys healthy
To maintain kidney health and prevent signs of declining function, it is essential to follow some nutritional, lifestyle, and supplement measures.
Regular exercise is a way to keep your kidneys healthy every day
1. Balanced diet: What to eat for healthy kidneys? A healthy diet greatly supports our body. Nutrient-rich foods, green vegetables, fruits, and whole grains provide essential vitamins and minerals. Reducing salt intake, drinking plenty of water, and limiting consumption of animal proteins are also beneficial for kidney health.
2. Healthy lifestyle: A healthy body relies not only on proper nutrition. Adopting a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, maintaining a stable weight, and avoiding smoking and alcohol is crucial for kidney protection. These factors not only enhance kidney function but also reduce the risk of other future diseases.
3. Medication awareness: Using medications according to doctors’ instructions is crucial for kidney health. Avoid overuse of antibiotics and over-the-counter drugs. Misuse of medications can cause severe damage and long-term kidney function issues.
4. Nutrient supplementation: To maintain and protect kidney health comprehensively, it's essential to supplement with necessary vitamins and minerals. These nutrients support kidney function, enhance self-repair capabilities, and help eliminate toxins from the body.
To keep your kidneys healthy, you can combine a balanced diet with supplements like Vitatree Kidney Tonic. This product, made from cordyceps, schisandra berries, and other natural herbs, provides essential nutrients, helps improve kidney function, reduces damage risk, and supports blood filtration. Vitatree Kidney Tonic also protects the kidneys from environmental and lifestyle impacts and provides long-term health assurance.
Regularly monitor your kidney health and take preventive measures to ensure your kidneys stay healthy every day!