World Kidney Day is celebrated on the second Thursday in March each year and serves to raise awareness of the importance of healthy kidneys and the prevention of kidney disease.
This year, the motto of the information campaign for World Kidney Day is: "Think about tomorrow today.
Your kidneys thank you". The campaign is organized by the German Kidney Foundation and the German Society for Nephrology (DGfN) in cooperation with the Association of German Kidney Centers (DN) eV, the KfH Board of Trustees for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation eV and the PHV patient home care non-profit Foundation carried out.
Why is the theme so important?
Well, almost every tenth person in Germany suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD), but many of them are not aware of their disease. CKD is often 'silent' for a long period of time without any obvious symptoms. Also, it is not the case in all patients that renal function continues to decline rapidly—in some, CKD progresses poorly. For others, however, the disease progresses rapidly, putting them at high risk of developing complete renal failure in their lifetime and requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Early detection of kidney disease is therefore of paramount importance, especially for high-risk patients.
But what can we do to keep our kidneys healthy?
A healthy lifestyle is key.
This includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity and adequate sleep. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol and protecting against dehydration can also help keep our kidneys healthy.
Another important factor is to regularly monitor our kidney function, especially if we belong to the risk groups. These include people with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, being overweight, or a family history of kidney disease. With regular check-ups, abnormalities in kidney function can be detected early and treated to slow or even stop the progression of CKD.
Overall, it is important to take care of our kidneys and make sure they stay healthy.
The early detection of kidney disease is an important step on this path. So let's think about tomorrow today and make sure that our kidneys thank us.
And what can nature offer us?
There are several compounds in wild blueberries that can positively impact kidney health. Here are some examples:
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Antioxidants: Wild blueberries are high in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which can help reduce oxidative stress and fight inflammation in the body. This can help reduce the risk of kidney damage.
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Polyphenols: Wild blueberries also contain polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds may help prevent kidney damage from inflammation and oxidative damage.
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Fiber: Wild blueberries contain fiber, which can help regulate digestion and stabilize blood sugar levels. Good blood sugar regulation is important for kidney health, as high blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys.
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Vitamin C: Wild blueberries are also a good source of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body. Good immune function and anti-inflammatory are important for kidney health.
Overall, the compounds in wild blueberries may help support kidney health by reducing inflammation, fighting oxidative stress, and improving blood sugar regulation.