Ten Steps To Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

1. Drink enough water. This is the most important step in keeping kidneys strong. At a minimum, I recommend you drink one-half ounce of water for every pound you weight, so a 200 pound man would drink 100 ounces of water every day. Drink more after strenuous exercise or if you live in a dry climate.
2. Take daily probiotics. Probiotics (good bacteria) help your kidneys process waste materials and contribute to overall digestive health. A recent clinical trial involving patients with chronic kidney disease found that the group taking probiotics improved kidney function test scores as well as overall quality of life.
3. Lower your phosphorous intake. When kidneys don’t work well, phosphorus accumulates in the body, causing potentially serious conditions, such as bone and heart disorders, as well as calcification (hardening) of tissues.
4. Phosphorous is found in most foods, but carbonated soft drinks and prepared, processed foods are especially high in phosphorus. You only need 800 mg to 1,200 mg of phosphorus each day; higher amounts are flushed from the body by healthy kidneys.
5. Drink green juice. Green foods aid in detoxification. I juice cilantro, a kidney-friendly herb, with water, lemon juice, and honey. If you don’t juice, a greens supplement is a good alternative.
6. Eat kidney-supportive foods, in addition to cilantro and its relative parsley, try these:
7. Watermelon
8. Cranberries
9. Blueberries
10. Strawberries
11. Apples
12. Cabbage
13. Cauliflower
14. Peppers
15. Garlic
16. Onions
17. Olive oil
18. Lose weight. Obesity has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing kidney cancer.
19. Avoid pain relievers, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Products like these are very hard on the kidneys. Even worse, researchers have found that these drugs increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. Never mix NSAIDs and alcohol.
20. Take a bath in Epsom salts. This is a basic detoxification measure. Removing waste and toxins gives your kidneys a boost while improving your overall health.
21. Control your blood. High blood pressure and diabetes are two big threats to your kidney function. Controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure are your best bets for maintaining normal kidney function.
22. Stop smoking or other uses of tobacco. The toxins damage your kidneys.

I hope you’ll agree that taking care of your kidneys is a worthwhile goal and make the necessary changes to protect these vital organs.