The doctor Jorge Mena Zuñigaclinical advisor and nephrologistcarried out a series of studies within the framework of the «Early detection program for chronic kidney disease» of the Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto Central Hospital, in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
With a focus on complex diseases, the training of specialists and the development of medical research, Zúñiga focuses on kidney health care and prevention as a fundamental tool.
At a global level, the chronic kidney disease It affects approximately 1 in 10 people, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
«That means that the 10% of the world’s population may have kidney damage without knowing it and is considered a silent epidemic because it only gives symptoms when 80% of kidney function has already been lost,» Mena explained in an interview, available on the YouTube channel of the hospital where she works.
Recent data from scientific research define it as a global public health problem, which affects more than 850 million people.
«In Mexico the statistics of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) is even higher, because it has an estimated prevalence of 14.9% in the adult population,» highlighted Dr. Mena.
The specialist indicated that the main causes They are diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure and highlighted the importance of implementing early detection models.
«Kidney disease can progress without symptoms to advanced stages. The kidney is an organ that usually gives signals when it may be too late,» he said.
«You don’t have to wait for that to happen, you have to go to the nearby health center for a check-up and monitoring of kidney function regularly, and even more so when there is a family history,» he stressed.
Within the framework of raising awareness about daily prevention, Dr. Mena Zúñiga provided 10 tips to maintain healthy kidney function.
The 10 key recommendations for kidney health care
1. Do at least 30 minutes of exercise diary.
2. Control your level of glucose in blood
3. Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
4. Carry a feeding balanced, increasing fruits and vegetables.
5. Avoid overweight and obesity, since they are risk factors for kidney disease.
6. Stay well hydratedconsume natural water and limit the consumption of sugary drinks.
7. Reduce consumption salto maintain stable blood pressure.
8. Avoid tobaccoas it affects circulation and kidney health.
9. Do not self-medicate, some drugs can damage the kidneys.
10. If you have diabetes, hypertension, obesity or family history of kidney disease, go to a nephrologist at least once a year for a check-up.
Food to promote kidney health
The kidneys are part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. They are vital organs that perform cleaning functions, chemical balance of the blood and production of hormones.
They are like «continuous scrubbers,» maintaining the body’s homeostasis by filtering the blood to remove waste products, toxins, excess water and salts, which can become harmful.
The concept of «culinary medicine» is one of the trends that are presented as allies of health. In prestigious medical centers such as Yale New Haven Healthdoctors, nutritionists and chefs work together to design meal plans that help people follow treatment and improve their overall well-being.
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to avoid burden on the kidneys. As the specialist stated, diet is a key element in preserving kidney function.
That is why it is recommended to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, combined with reducing the intake of animal proteins, sodium and ultra-processed foods.
