ANN ARBOR — Today is World Kidney Day and the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is asking Michigan residents to drink a glass of water to celebrate their kidneys.
Consuming plenty of fluid helps the kidneys clear wastes and toxins from the body. Studies have also shown that increasing your fluid intake is one of the best ways to prevent the formation of painful kidney stones.
The right level of fluid intake for any individual depends on many factors including gender, exercise, climate, health conditions, pregnancy and breast feeding. In addition, those with advanced kidney disease or kidney failure often have to restrict their fluid intake. As a general rule, drinking 1.5 to 2 liters (3 to 4 pints) of water per day is considered a healthy amount.
“Drinking a glass of water is a symbolic gesture to remember that kidneys are vital organs that should be celebrated,” says Joseph Vassalotti, M.D., National Kidney Foundation chief medical officer. “It’s also a way to raise awareness about the risks, dangers and burden of kidney disease in the United States, which is estimated to affect more than 26 million American adults.” In Michigan, more than 900,000 people have kidney disease, and most don’t know it.
Join others around the world and celebrate kidney awareness on World Kidney Day by taking a healthy selfie. Be a #WaterModel on #WorldKidneyDay and take a photo of yourself drinking water and share it with your friends. Those photos tagged with #ISupportWKD will appear in the international World Kidney Day photo news feed.
Staying well hydrated with water can protect your kidneys, but it won’t cure kidney disease. The NKFM strongly encourages anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure, and anyone over the age of 60, to ask your doctor for an ACR or GFR test if you are at risk for kidney disease.
March is National Kidney Month. For those who want to learn how they can reduce their personal risk of developing kidney disease, visit nkfm.org/KidneyMonth.
