Obesity And Kidney Disease: 5 Ways The Chronic Disease Affects Your Organs, How To Prevent, And More

Obesity strikes millions of people across the world, causing heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. But, did you know it impacts your kidneys also? Kidneys filter out the waste products from the blood, keep the blood pressure in check, and generally provide equilibrium in the body. Increased weight makes the job harder for
the organs, thereby boosting the likelihood of chronic kidney disease (CKD), says Dr Narendra K Shetty, chief wellness officer, Kshemavana Naturopathy and Yoga Center.

5 Ways Obesity Affects Your Kidneys

As per Dr Narendra K Shetty, obesity is a major but underappreciated risk factor for kidney disease. It leads to kidney disease through the following 5 mechanisms:

1) Increased Workload on the Kidneys

Excess body fat requires the kidneys to filter more blood, putting additional pressure on the nephrons. This puts a strain on them over a period of time, causing glomerular hyperfiltration and ultimately kidney damage.

2) Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

Abdominal fat promotes insulin resistance, a major risk factor for Type-2 diabetes. High blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste.

3) Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Obesity is also associated with elevated blood pressure, another significant reason for kidney injury. High pressure damages the blood vessels within the kidneys and reduces their functionality.

4) Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Visceral fat in obesity releases inflammatory mediators that initiate chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. This worsens the damage to kidney cells.

5) Fat Deposition in the Kidneys

Studies indicate that obesity can cause the buildup of fat in the kidneys themselves, leading to scarring (fibrosis) and impairing their functioning.

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6 Strategies To Prevent Obesity-Related Kidney Disease

While obesity-related kidney disease is a serious concern, there are natural ways to reduce risk and maintain healthy kidneys. Dr Narendra K Shetty suggests the following six:

1) Maintain a Healthy Weight

Weight loss of only 5–10% can lower kidney disease risk by a great margin.

2) Adopt a Kidney-Friendly Diet

Increase consumption of fiber foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and legumes. Use less salt to manage blood pressure and choose plant-based proteins over red meat. Drinking plenty of water is necessary for healthy kidneys.

3) Exercise Regularly

Attempt 30 minutes of moderate exercise (brisk walking, swimming) on most days for weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar management.

4) Control Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure

Maintain regular checking and lifestyle adjustments, such as minimizing sugar and stress, for prevention of diabetes and hypertension.

5) Reduce Inflammation

Take antioxidant foods like greens and berries. Turmeric and ginger herbal plants also decrease inflammation.

6) Decrease Stress and Improve Sleep

Good sleep (7–8 hours) and stress management practices such as meditation can enhance your overall kidney health.

"With healthy lifestyle modifications, one can lower their risk and safeguard their kidneys in the long run," wraps up Dr Narendra K Shetty.

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