Friday 26 June 2015

Diet and lifestyle changes for healthy kidneys



Lifestyle changes:
  • Normal blood pressure = less work for the kidneys.
  • Normal blood glucose = health cardiovascular system = healthy kidneys.
  • Normal blood cholesterol = less work for the kidneys.
  • Physical activity = good blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels = healthy kidneys.
  • Normal weight = less work for the kidneys.
  • No smoking = healthy cardiovascular system = healthy kidneys.
Nutrition guidelines:
  • Less salt and sodium = normal blood pressure = less work for the kidneys.
  • Less protein foods = less work for the kidneys.
    • Animal-protein Foods:
      • Chicken
      • Fish
      • Meat
      • Eggs
      • Dairy
    • Plant-protein Foods:
      • Beans
      • Nuts
      • Grains
  • Less phosphorus = less work for the kidneys.
    • Foods Lower in Phosphorus:
      • Fresh fruits and vegetables
      • Breads, pasta, rice
      • Rice milk (not enriched)
      • Corn and rice cereals
    • Foods Higher in Phosphorus:
      • Meat, poultry, fish
      • Bran cereals and oatmeal
      • Dairy foods
      • Beans, lentils, nuts
      • Colas
  • Good potassium = less work for the kidneys.
    • Foods Higher in Potassium
      • Oranges, bananas
      • Potatoes, tomatoes
      • Brown and wild rice
      • Bran cereals
      • Dairy foods
      • Whole wheat bread and pasta
      • Beans and nuts
    • Foods Lower in Potassium:
      • Apples, peaches
      • Carrots, green beans
      • White bread and pasta
      • White rice
      • Rice milk
      • Cooked rice and wheat cereals, grits
  • Right amount of water = less work for your kidneys.
    • Do not drink more or less than you normally do - listen to your body.
  • Healthy heart = less work for your kidneys.
    • Grill, broil, bake, roast, or stir-fry foods, instead of deep frying.
    • Cook with olive oil instead of butter.
    • Trim fat from meat and remove skin from poultry before eating.
    • Heart-healthy Foods:
      • Lean cuts of meat, like loin or round
      • Poultry without the skin
      • Fish
      • Beans
      • Vegetables
      • Fruits
      • Low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese
  • Less alcohol = healthier kidneys.

Thursday 4 June 2015

Universal lifestyle behaviors that promote longevity




Buettner talks about universal lifestyle behaviors that promote longevity, why they're so hard to adopt in the U.S., and how one town undertook its own Blue Zone experiment, to great effect.

Are you also interested in taking the True Happiness Test? Or the Vitality Test?