Although people know that these beverages pack massive amounts of sugar. Your regular 12-ounce soda bottle has more sugar in it than three donuts. An excess of sugar leads to a variety of issues from heart problems to kidney problems.
Drinking two or more bottles of these dark fizzy drinks on a daily basis can double your chances of contracting kidney disease. This is not just due to the sugar, these drinks also contain phosphoric acid, which we mentioned briefly in the processed food entry. This acid may also be harmful to your kidneys.
Find Out Your Optimal BMI and Stick to it
Any physician today will tell you that there is no doubt that there's a direct correlation between weight gain and heart problems, with the severity of the illnesses only increasing as more weight is gained. A 2018 research in JAMA Cardiology found that having a high BMI (Body Mass Index) puts you at a significantly higher risk of suffering from heart disease.
It's important to do your best to maintain an optimal BMI level, even though it's clear that the BMI system isn't optimized for everyone, due to variations in body types. “There is no one-size-fits-all,” says Dr. Chanté Wiegand, ND, a Naturopathic Doctor and Director of Education at The Synergy Company. Find out next how toothbrushing and e-cigarettes can affect your kidney health.
A Symptomless Disease
One of the biggest mistakes that seemingly healthy people make, is to assume that because they feel healthy overall, there's no need to get themselves checked up by a medical physician. The American Heart Association recommends getting a blood pressure check at least once a year, your blood glucose levels once every three years, and your cholesterol levels every four to six years.
It’s important to take initiative and make sure ahead of time that your health is in good standing. Many medical issues that can be easily treated and even prevented if found early become much harder to treat once they have matured and intensified.
Be Extremely Careful of Steroids
Many athletes and bodybuilders opt to use steroids as a way to augment their physical muscles and grow at a much faster rate. Based on a 2009 study, it was found that nine out of ten bodybuilders who have used steroids over the course of their careers have developed kidney scarring over the years. These scar tissues only healed over time once the steroid usage was stopped.
Besides raising cholesterol and raising your all-cause mortality rates, steroids also cause various emotional irregularities, including a propensity for anger and an inability to think clearly. The only situation where you should take steroids is if it was prescribed by a doctor for strictly medicinal purposes, otherwise, it would be best for you and your future if you stick to an all-natural athletic career.
Eating Too Much Red Meat May Cause Kidney Failure
The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology certified red meat as possibly being “kidney toxic.” It’s unclear at this point exactly what causes this effect, but speculation is that a big reason for the toxicity of red meat comes from having too much dietary acid.
However, if you're into vegan alternatives to meat, we've got great news for you because apparently, eating plant-based proteins actually helps repair injured kidneys. The research further states that replacing just one serving of red meat per week can help reduce your chances of contracting a kidney disease by 62%, which is quite a considerable number.