Supporting kidney health starts with everyday habits.
Eat a balanced diet, stay physically active, maintain a
healthy weight, avoid smoking, stay appropriately hydrated
and limit excess sodium.

It is especially important to keep blood pressure and blood
sugar under control because high blood pressure and diabetes
are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease.

For most people without diagnosed kidney disease, a
nutritious diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains
and appropriate sources of protein can support overall
kidney and cardiovascular health.

Limiting excessive sodium and heavily processed foods may
also help support healthy blood pressure. People who already
have chronic kidney disease may need individualized limits
for sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein or fluids.

There is no single amount of water that is right for
everyone. Hydration needs vary according to body size,
physical activity, climate, diet, medications and health
conditions.

Drinking enough fluid helps prevent dehydration, but drinking
excessive amounts of water does not “cleanse” the kidneys.
People with advanced kidney disease, heart failure or a
prescribed fluid restriction should follow their healthcare
professional’s recommendations.

Early kidney disease often causes few or no noticeable
symptoms. This is why blood and urine testing can be
important for people who have kidney disease risk factors.

As kidney problems become more advanced, possible symptoms
may include swelling, fatigue, changes in urination,
persistent nausea, itching, muscle cramps, shortness of
breath or blood in the urine.

These symptoms can have many different causes, so they should
be evaluated by a healthcare professional rather than used
for self-diagnosis.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are two important risk
factors for chronic kidney disease. Other factors may include
heart disease, inherited kidney disorders, recurrent kidney
problems and certain medications or medical conditions.

Severe dehydration and inappropriate use of some medicines
may also contribute to kidney injury in certain situations.

Kidney health cannot always be determined by how you feel,
because early kidney disease may not cause symptoms.

Healthcare professionals commonly use blood tests to estimate
kidney filtration and urine tests to look for signs of kidney
damage. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart
disease or a family history of kidney failure should discuss
kidney testing with their healthcare provider.

There is no single vitamin, herb or dietary supplement that
everyone needs to keep their kidneys healthy. Nutrient needs
vary based on diet, kidney function, medications and existing
medical conditions.

Some herbs, minerals and high-dose vitamins can be harmful
for people with reduced kidney function or may interact with
medications. Anyone with kidney disease should discuss
supplements with a healthcare professional or pharmacist
before using them.

For general kidney health, limiting excessive sodium,
heavily processed foods and frequent sugar-sweetened drinks
can support an overall healthier eating pattern and better
blood pressure management.

People who have chronic kidney disease may also need to
monitor potassium, phosphorus, protein or fluids, but those
restrictions should be personalized according to kidney
function and laboratory results.

Whether kidney function can improve depends on why it has
changed. Some temporary kidney injuries may improve when the
underlying cause is treated, while chronic kidney disease may
involve permanent kidney damage.

Healthy habits can still be important for protecting
remaining kidney function. Managing blood pressure, blood
sugar and other health conditions with your healthcare team
may help reduce additional kidney damage.

Habits that may increase kidney risk include smoking,
uncontrolled high blood pressure, poorly controlled
diabetes, excessive sodium intake and becoming severely
dehydrated.

Some medications can also affect the kidneys. For example,
certain over-the-counter pain relievers known as NSAIDs can
increase the risk of kidney injury in some situations,
particularly when a person is dehydrated or already has
kidney problems.

Take medications according to their directions and ask a
healthcare professional about anything you use regularly.