Common Habits that Seriously Damage Your Kidneys

Sharon Moore January 22, 2015

Our kidneys have a very crucial role in our health. They are involved in plenty of biological functions, such as production of hormone, elimination of toxins, absorption of minerals, and so on. Being among the most important organs in your body, your kidneys deserve your attention and love too.

Kidney problems can carry on without being noticed. And they can still function with as little as 20% of their capacity. Therefore, taking preventive steps to protect your kidneys is very important. You don’t want to reach that point in your life when you can no longer do anything to save them.

And what could be a better way to begin protecting your kidneys than by looking into your habits and assessing which ones you should drop?

Here are the most common habits that many people have, which unfortunately, are harming their kidneys.

1. Consuming too much salt.

You might think that you are using very minimal amount of salt in your meals. But if you are fond of processed foods, then you are most likely getting more than the recommended amount. As a rule of thumb, you should consume no more than 5 grams (about one teaspoon) of salt every day.

2. You’re eating a lot of meat.

Red meat increases the metabolic load on your kidneys. This means that eating a lot of meat can cause your kidneys to work harder, which can lead to dysfunction and other diseases.

3. You lack sleep.

Chronic sleep deprivation is also linked to kidney problems, as it is with many other health problems. Sleep is very important because at this stage, your body organs, including your kidneys, undergo healing and repair.

4. You drink alcohol very often.

Alcohol puts a lot of strain on your kidneys, as it does on your liver. Excessive alcohol consumption has been found to cause profound damage to the kidneys, making them less able to filter your blood. Too much alcohol can also affect your blood pressure. High blood pressure is a common cause of kidney disease, and consuming more than two drinks a day can increase your chance of having high blood pressure.

5. You’re dependent on meds.

Do you depend on painkillers to get rid of headache and fatigue? Do you take medications to deal with cough and colds? Whilst they offer fast relief, they really don’t address the root cause of your health problem. Worse, they can cause side effects too. Excessive medication use can lead to severe damage of liver and kidneys.

6. You’re into too much sweets.

People who consume too much sugary foods and drinks are likely to have more protein in their urine, which is a sign that they are having problems in their kidneys.

7. You drink too much coffee.

Like salt, caffeine can raise blood pressure and put extra stress on your kidneys. Over time, excessive coffee consumption can raise your risk of developing kidney problems.

Your kidneys are very important, just like your heart, liver and all your bodily organs. So it is just right that you take good care of them. By adopting healthy lifestyles like regular exercise and regular diet, and by getting rid of the habits mentioned in this article, you can significantly protect your kidneys.