**This post is sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation.**
If you are anything like me, you can roll off several stats of your favorite team, but have no clue what is going on with your body internally – let alone the kidneys. Check out this PSA from Jerry Rice.
The heart is always getting the most exposure when it comes to thinking of our overall health. Think about it. We have all sorts of food brands promoting heart health. Oatmeal, cereals, diets and other diets are always talking about how the consumption of those diets or adopting those lifestyles can lead to better overall heart health. That’s great and all, but no one ever talks about the kidneys. One’s kidneys are vital organs that need love as well. Not to go completely morbid but think about it this way, kidney failure is fatal. Don’t you think we should pay attention to how we treat them? World Kidney Day is March 14th and I am asking everyone to #HeartYourKidney for a change.
There are several simple changes you can make in order to promote good kidney health. I personally have been drinking more water, changed up my diet a little bit, and have been trying to get back on a workout routine. You may have seen me walking around with my big, pink, half gallon jug that is always filled with water. I have been drinking at least two a day – one in the morning and one after school. Sometimes I put a whole half gallon down while I’m working out. Although I am running back and forth to the ladies room, I am contributing to keeping my kidneys flushed of sodium and the toxins out. Keep in mind that the kidneys work 24/7 to remove waste and keep our blood pressure stable, so making a small change like drinking lots of water – your kidneys will thank you for it.
Here is a statistic that hit home for me personally: The chances for African Americans to suffer from kidney failure are three times higher than for Caucasians; however, kidney disease can happen to anyone. If you’re curious about your kidney health, the kidneys can be checked with a urine and blood test. So, if you have a history of kidney disease in your family or if you just want to know about your kidney health in general, ask your primary physician how your kidneys are doing. But keep in mind you can help reduce kidney disease with a healthy diet, exercise, and regular check-ups. Not to startle you, but neglect and failure to take care of your kidneys can lead to needing dialysis, potential kidney failure; this can be fatal. Yes, the kidneys are just as vital to survival as the heart. So the heart isn’t the only organ that you need to take care of – the kidneys are equally important.
