TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR HEALTH

FROM THE URSOS FILES : WEBSITE http://ursosfiles.blogspot.com/ 

. ADVICE FROM YOUR COUSIN ; BEST WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR KIDNEYS By Dr. Willie T. Ong (Internist and Cardiologist) 1. Limit your salt intake -- Too much salt is not only bad for your blood pressure,such as fish sauce, soy sauce, plain salt and salted fish. Even instant noodles, chips and nuts are teeming with salt. The problem with salt is that it encourages the body to retain water, and can increase your blood pressure (which damages the kidneys); 2. Don't load up on high protein foods such as meat. Eat a balanced diet of rice, vegetables, fish and fruits and you can't go wrong; 3. Keep your blood pressure at 130/80 or lower -- If your blood pressure is above 140 over 90, this can cause kidney damage within five years..; 4. Keep your blood sugar below 120 mg/dl -- Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney failure. A person with uncontrolled diabetes for 5-10 years may develop significant kidney damage..; 5. Drink 8 glasses of water a day - Drinking enough water also prevents the formation of kidney stones..; 6. Watch your intake of pain relievers and other drugs -- Taking pain relievers like mefenamic acid, ibuprofen and the coxibs (like celecoxib) for a prolonged period of time may cause kidney damage..; 7. Be careful with tests and procedures using contrast dyes consult a kidney specialist before undergoing such procedures. 8. Don't drink too much Vitamin C -- Excess vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can lead to the formation of kidney stones in predisposed individuals. If you need to take vitamin C, a dose of 500 mg or less is safer ; ;