Diet for Kidney Health

The kidneys are vital organs that process blood, sifting out extra water and waste. Kidneys serve as the body's filtration system, so it is vital to keep them in good health. The two most common causes of kidney diseases are high blood pressure and diabetes, medical conditions that can be regulated or prevented with a healthy diet. Adjusting one's diet for kidney health is a preventive measure that will help you maintain kidney function.

Limit Excessive Protein

The typical American diet is loaded with protein. It serves as the centerpiece for every meal, with grains, starches and vegetables as side dishes. A typical person only needs 15 percent of his diet to be protein in order to build muscle, secrete enzymes and hormones, and repair cell walls. Excess protein must be filtered out through the kidneys. A diet with excessive protein causes hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. The kidneys are overworked processing the extra protein of a normal American diet, causes tissue damage that could result in serious illness. If meat is the centerpiece of every meal you eat, you may want to reconsider your diet. It's easy to have one "vegetarian day" per week. Protein also doesn't have to be consumed in the form of dairy, meat or eggs, which the kidneys have to work harder to process. Beans and tofu are healthy sources of protein.

Drink Plenty of Water

Two-thirds of the human body is composed of water. Replenishing the body's water supply is essential. Drinking plenty of water helps the kidneys clean waste from the bloodstream. Think of water as fuel for the kidneys. The average person requires at least 64 ounces of water a day. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink; thirst is a sign that you've already become dehydrated. Pure water is the best fuel for your kidneys. Avoid excessive consumption of soda, juice, coffee or alcohol, since these all contain minerals and waste the kidneys will have to work hard to filter out.

Avoid Excess Sodium

Salt is a mineral essential to the human body, but it is needed only in small amounts. The average healthy person should consume only 1,500 to 2,400 mg per day but most Americans take in far more. Eating too many salt-laden foods can seriously alter the balance of bodily fluids, forcing the kidneys to clean out the excess sodium. If the kidneys cannot clean out all the sodium consumed, it will build up in the bloodstream, causing high blood pressure, which could result in kidney disease. Avoid packaged and processed foods, such as canned soups, frozen dinners, fast food and most restaurant foods. These are typically loaded with sodium.