Tempe vs Tofu

http://www.thealternativedaily.com/tofu-vs-tempeh/

8 Golden Rules to take care of Our Kidney: World Kidney Day - March 9

http://www.worldkidneyday.org/faqs/take-care-of-your-kidneys/8-golden-rules/?gclid=CJ3j4PXPw9ICFREHvAod2UsFSQ
 

What can you do for your kidneys?

Kidney diseases are silent killers, which will largely affect your quality of life. There are however several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.

Keep fit and active

Keeping fit helps to reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.

The concept “on the move for kidney health” is a worldwide collective march involving the public, celebrities and professionals moving across a public area by walking, running and cycling. Why not join them – by whatever means you prefer! Check out the events section of the WKD website for more information.

Keep regular control of your blood sugar level

About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage, so it is important for people with diabetes to have regular tests to check their kidney functions.

Kidney damage from diabetes can be reduced or prevented if detected early. It is important to keep control of blood sugar levels with the help of doctors or pharmacists, who are always happy to help.

Monitor your blood pressure

Although many people may be aware that high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack, few know that it is also the most common cause of kidney damage.

The normal blood pressure level is 120/80. Between this level and 139/89, you are considered prehypertensive and should adopt lifestyle and dietary changes. At 140/90 and above, you should discuss the risks with your doctor and montior your blood pressure level regularly. High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and Cardio- Vascular Diseases.

Eat healthy and keep your weight in check

This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Reduce your salt intake. The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon). In order to reduce your salt intake, try and limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. It will be easier to control your intake if you prepare the food yourself with fresh ingredients. For more information on nutrition and kidney friendly cooking, visit our nutrition page

Maintain a healthy fluid intake

Although clinical studies have not reached an agreement on the ideal quantity of water and other fluids we should consume daily to maintain good health, traditional wisdom has long suggested drinking 1.5 to 2 litres (3 to 4 pints) of water per day.

Consuming plenty of fluid helps the kidneys clear sodium, urea and toxins from the body which, in turn, results in a “significantly lower risk” of developing chronic kidney disease, according to researchers in Australia and Canada. The findings, the researchers said, do not advocate “aggressive fluid loading”, which can cause side effects, but they do provide evidence that moderately increased water intake, around two litres daily, may reduce the risk of decline in kidney function. It’s important to keep in mind that the right level of fluid intake for any individual depends on many factors including gender, exercise, climate, health conditions, pregnancy and breast feeding. In addition, people who have already had a kidney stone are advised to drink 2 to 3 litres of water daily to lessen the risk of forming a new stone.

Do not smoke

Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.

Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis

Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly.

Such medications probably do not pose significant danger if your kidneys are relatively healthy and you use them for emergencies only, but if you are dealing with chronic pain, such as arthritis or back pain, work with your doctor to find a way to control your pain without putting your kidneys at risk.

Get your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the ‘high risk’ factors

• you have diabetes
• you have hypertension
• you are obese
• one of your parents or other family members suffers from kidney disease
• you are of African, Asian, or Aboriginal origin

Water

12 Reasons to Drink More Water

https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=7c514da0-0100-4dcc-afba-95712f7313be

Did you know drinking two 12 ounce glasses of soda every day for one month means you will intake 8,000 calories and 5 pounds of sugar? While fine to drink on occasion, high-calorie, high-sugar drinks, like soda, can cause an array of negative effects to your body and wallet.

Swapping soda for water is one of the quickest and easiest ways to stay hydrated and improve your overall health in both the short- and long-term future – and not to mention, it’s free of charge! Still not convinced? Check out these 12 other reasons to drink more H2O:

1. Lose Weight

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for weight loss, the basic formula for trimming your waistline is to burn more calories than you eat. As an aid for weight loss, water will help you to feel full more quickly, so you will eat less and shed the pounds.

2. Burn More Calories

Drinking more water can help you to burn more calories by regulating your metabolism, which is your body’s ability to convert food into energy. By drinking 17 ounces of water per day, your metabolism could speed up by as much as 30 percent.

3. Exercise with Ease

Skip the energy drinks – drinking water while working out is the ultimate muscle fuel.  High-intensity physical activity can cause you to lose water through sweat and your muscles to become tired. For a boost of energy, drink water to reduce cramps and sprains, and push you through that final set of pull ups.

4. Have Clearer Skin

Studies show that people who drink more water tend to have clearer, younger looking skin. Water works to hydrate your skin and reduce toxin-induced blemishes, resulting in a healthy glow even your best moisturizer can’t achieve on its own.

5. Flush Toxins Out

You may have tried the latest juice cleanse to detox your body, but what about drinking a refreshing glass of water? Water helps to eliminate wastes and toxins from your body by encouraging healthy digestion and transporting nutrients to where they are needed.

6. Prevent Headaches

Everyone suffers for the occasional headache, and oftentimes they are caused by dehydration. Instead of reaching for medication next time your head hurts, try reaching for a cold glass of water to prevent or alleviate your headache symptoms.

7. Have Less Joint Pain

Water works as a lubricant for your joints, helping to reduce joint pain and protect against daily wear and tear. In fact, drinking more water can help to eliminate other pain in the body by supporting your lymphatic system, a network of nodes, tubes, vessels and fluid that move waste from your tissues.

8. Save Your Kidneys

Your kidneys perform the life-sustaining job of filtering and returning to the bloodstream about 200 quarts of fluid each day, so taking care of them is important. Drinking more water may help to significantly reduce your risk for chronic kidney problems; it may even help to prevent kidney stones from forming by flushing out the buildup.

9. Protect Your Spinal Cord

Traumatic injury to the spinal cord can cause neurological impairments that cause life-long complications. To protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests drinking an adequate amount of water.

10. Boost Your Productivity

Your brain and nervous system send out electrical signals to function properly. Having a regular supply of water will help to increase electrical functioning in your brain for clearer thinking, so you will feel more efficient and productive.

11. Stay Awake

While your morning brew may keep you awake temporarily, its caffeine may dehydrate you, and consequently make you more tired, in the long run. Fortunately, sipping on a glass of water with breakfast can awaken and rejuvenate you, too, by hydrating your body to increase its power to work to its full capacity.

12. Feel Happier

Dehydration can affect your mood and make you feel sad, grumpy and confused. Stay hydrated and feel energized by drinking the recommended amount of water (typically eight 8-ounce glasses a day). Water stimulates the flow of nutrients and hormones that release those feel-good endorphins you need to feel happy.

BEST TIMES OF DAY TO DRINK WATER.(INFOGRAPHIC)

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