Four tips to prevent kidney disease

An alarming increase in kidney disease has been linked to changes in people’s eating habits and lifestyles, with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) now one of the leading causes of death in the world.

Kidney disease affects a large number of South Africans, but can be prevented through a well-balanced diet.

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March is National Kidney Month, and experts are calling for special attention to be paid to CKD.Co-founder of Newtricion Wellness Dieticians, Omy

Naidoo, says the food choices you make now could affect your risk of kidney disease at a later stage.

However, you can reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease if you make the right dietary choices.

‘Chronic Kidney Disease can affect anyone at any age, although those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are more likely to develop it than others,’ says Naidoo, adding that the best way to prevent this chronic illness is to maintain a kidney-friendly eating plan.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, roughly 65% of kidney failures in South African adults are related to hypertension.

Tips to keep your kidneys healthy:

1. Eat the right type and amount of protein
Avoid extremely high-protein diets, but maintaining a well-balanced diet with the right amount of protein is beneficial to kidneys. The general rule of thumb when it comes to protein: double your body weight, and this amount in grams should be the maximum daily protein intake. For example, 140g of protein per day should be the maximum amount of protein for a person weighing 70kg.

2. Drink water
Keeping your body hydrated is essential to maintaining good kidney health. Your kidneys require hydration to function properly. Taking in a lot of water helps to prevent kidney stones and CKD.

3. Lower salt intake
A high-sodium diet can cause your body to increase the amount of water it holds on to, in turn leading to elevated blood pressure. A diet high in salty foods can cause kidney damage, while eliminating salt can dramatically improve kidney health.

4. Whole-grain carbs
A diet rich in whole grains and healthy carbs, as well as fruit and vegetables, limits chances of developing kidney disease. Including more fibre in your diet leads to a healthy body weight and good blood sugar levels. Both are linked to healthier kidneys.