Kidney Health: Another of the Many Reason To Get Your Water In Daily

We may not think about them often, but we need our kidneys to stay healthy. These fist-sized, bean-shaped organs are nestled beneath your diaphragm and in your lower back, and they maintain water homeostasis. Every day, about 40 gallons of fluids can pass through your kidneys, and the thousands of nephrons, or tiny filters, they contain sift through the fluid to remove harmful wastes and excess water and nutrients before siphoning it into the bladder. Kidneys also produce hormones that activate vitamin D, control blood pressure and help make red blood cells. Maintaining our necessary water intake to flush out toxins out can be one of the best ways you can take care of your kidneys.

About 10 percent of American adults have some kidney damage, and this can result in water retention, toxin buildup and poor plasma ultrafiltration. Nephrons can become damaged and less able to filter body fluids properly. Over time, the nephrons become more impaired, leading to chronic kidney disease, or CKD. Many people have no symptoms until they have lost as much as 75 percent of their kidney function, which is why regular screening is so important.

Keeping your kidneys healthy does not require much more than a healthy lifestyle. Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, take medications only as prescribed, stop smoking, limit your salt intake to less than 2,300 mg. a day, limit your alcohol intake and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Perhaps most importantly, drink more water.

Several studies have linked proper fluid intake prevention of kidney stones and long-term kidney damage. Extra water can help flush toxins, excess sodium and urea from your body and allow you to safely excrete them. Research has found that people who drink about three liters of water a day have a significantly lower risk of CKD and are less likely to have declines in overall kidney function. Adequate water intake may also help to prevent development and growth of cysts.

You don’t have to load up on fluids, which can have unwanted health effects, but the research underscores the importance of keeping well-hydrated. Eight glasses of water a day is often recommended and can be a great starting point.