Foods to Eat and Avoid for Optimal Kidney Health
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Foods to Eat and Avoid for Optimal Kidney Health

Kidneys help filter waste from the blood and dispose of it off the body via urine. They also help balance the electrolyte and fluid levels in the body. But, conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes may intervene with their ability to work as required. Furthermore, damage to the kidney might also result in chronic kidney disease. Hence making changes in your meal plan is a vital aspect of treatment. You can prevent damage to these organs by following a kidney-healthy meal plan. Below, we will address some foods to eat and avoid for better kidney health. Foods to eat Cauliflower Cauliflower is a nutritious vegetable. It’s an excellent source of folate, Vitamins B, K, and C. It’s rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like indoles, a fiber source. In addition, you can use mashed cauliflower as a replacement for potatoes. For example, a cup of cooked cauliflower has 40 mg of phosphorous, 176 mg of potassium, and 19 mg of sodium. Sweet potatoes They are relatively similar to white potatoes but have more fiber content, resulting in them breaking down more gradually. Hence, you will experience a less spike in insulin levels. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium that help balance the sodium levels in the body and lower their impact on the kidneys.
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Hyperglycemia – Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Hyperglycemia – Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Hyperglycemia is high blood sugar, a complication observed in people with diabetes. It develops when the body has significantly less insulin than required or when the body is unable to process insulin. A person with hyperglycemia usually has a blood glucose level of more than 125 mg/dL when fasting and over 180 mg/dL after eating. When hyperglycemia is left untreated for a long time, it can damage the nerves, organs, and blood vessels. Causes and risk factors Many factors can increase the risk of hyperglycemia in people with diabetes. Some of them are: Insufficient or inaccurate dosage of insulin that one takes to manage diabetes  Body’s inability to effectively utilize insulin treatment Excessive carbohydrate intake Leading a sedentary lifestyle Physical or emotional stress Dawn phenomenon, which is a hormonal surge or rise in blood sugar people with diabetes experience every morning Some of the other possible causes of hyperglycemia: Cushing’s syndrome results in insulin resistance Being affected by pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer Using certain treatment options Experiencing trauma or surgery Some of the risk factors of high blood sugar are: A family history of diabetes Unhealthy lifestyle High cholesterol Polycystic ovarian syndrome History of gestational diabetes Symptoms Hyperglycemia may not exhibit symptoms unless one experiences extremely high blood sugar levels, for instance, blood glucose over 180 mg/dL.
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