Support The Iya Project – The Iya Foundation https://theiyafoundation.org Promoting chronic kidney disease education, awareness, early detection and organ donation. Sat, 08 Feb 2020 20:28:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.12 https://theiyafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cropped-iyaf_favicon-32x32.png Support The Iya Project – The Iya Foundation https://theiyafoundation.org 32 32 RenalNews: 8 Simple Tips to Help Clean Your Diet So It Is Kidney Healthy https://theiyafoundation.org/2014/03/24/renalnews-8-simple-tips-to-help-clean-your-diet-so-it-is-kidney-healthy/ https://theiyafoundation.org/2014/03/24/renalnews-8-simple-tips-to-help-clean-your-diet-so-it-is-kidney-healthy/#respond Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:20:26 +0000 http://theiyaproject.org/blog/?p=147 March is National Kidney month, and in the spirit of awareness and education on kidney disease, The Iya Project is taking a step further to encourage you to protect your kidneys and so prevent kidney damage and eventual kidney failure. In this article, you’ll learn how to protect your kidneys using 8 simple tips that will help you clean your diet by taking inventory of your pantry and refrigerator.
 1)     Commit to Whole Grains – Stay Away From Refined Products: Whether it’s in bread, cereal, rice, or pasta, whole grains are a good source of fiber and can be found in most grocery stores. Fibers can reduce cholesterol and may also lower your risk for heart disease. Whole grains have the tendency to make you feel full with fewer calories which can therefore also help with weight control. Examples of whole grain products include wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, steel cut oats, and bran flake cereal. Avoid refined grain products.
2)     No Salt Canned Foods: Reducing salt in your diet can help prevent or control high blood pressure and so further reduce your risk of kidney disease. Therefore, when buying canned foods make sure to read the labels for the ‘no salt added’ or ‘low sodium’ varieties of your canned products.
3)     Buy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Preferably and whenever possible, buy fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned foods. Processed foods contain higher levels of sodium (salt) and phosphorous which can be bad for your kidneys if consumed in excess. However, if you have to buy canned fruits/vegetables, choose those with their own juices instead of those in heavy syrup as heavy syrup can raise your blood sugar levels (diabetes is the number one leading cause of kidney failure). Always read your labels and avoid foods that contain ‘phos’ as an ingredient.
4)     Use Spices for Flavor Instead of Salt and Fats: Rather than using salt and fats to add flavor in your meals, use spices and herbs to add flavor. High salt and fat diets can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol. Avoid or minimize salt and fats in your meals.
5)     Eat Lean – Avoid Red Meats: Limit or replace red meats with leaner, lower fat protein choices such as fish, poultry (chicken, turkey, fowl), egg whites, and legumes. Avoid processed meats like ham, hot dogs, sausage, and bacon.
6)     Avoid Processed Sweets: Instead of having processed sweets which can be high in sugar, sodium, carbohydrates and calories, opt for fruits as snacks or desserts. A fruit salad is a great way to consume a variety of nutrients, or a fruit parfait with low fat yogurt.
7)     Avoid Saturated Fats: Replace butter and margarine in your meals with olive or canola oils which are liquid plant oils that are rich heart-healthy unsaturated fats which may lower cholesterol and also ‘possibly benefit blood sugar levels’.
8)     Limit Dairy Fat: Although dairy products provide many important nutrients that are good for you, they can be high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Substitute varieties of milk, cheese, and yogurts hat are high in fat for fat free or lower fat varieties. Substituting with lower varieties can help keep your cholesterol levels healthy.
 With your support, The Iya Foundation, Inc is confident a feasible early detection, surveillance and treatment program can be established to slow, and possibly prevent the progression of kidney disease in the U.S, and particularly in the African Immigrant Community in the U.S.
 Click here to support The Iya Foundation, Inc.
 

]]> https://theiyafoundation.org/2014/03/24/renalnews-8-simple-tips-to-help-clean-your-diet-so-it-is-kidney-healthy/feed/ 0 RenalNews: What You Need to Know About Alcohol and Your Kidneys https://theiyafoundation.org/2014/02/24/renalnews-what-you-need-to-know-about-alcohol-and-your-kidneys/ https://theiyafoundation.org/2014/02/24/renalnews-what-you-need-to-know-about-alcohol-and-your-kidneys/#respond Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:23:31 +0000 http://theiyaproject.org/blog/?p=129 Whether it’s while watching sporting events, at parties, during dinner, or just to unwind; the consumption of alcohol beverages has increasingly become part of many people’s diets. It is therefore important and wise that you consider your kidneys when deciding whether or not to drink alcohol. The following are a few things to keep in mind when drinking alcohol:

  • Unwanted weight gain which can potentially lead to, or worsen diabetes: Diabetes is the number one leading cause of kidney failure. Alcohol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hence it is advisable to not drink alcohol on an empty stomach; or when our blood sugar might be low. Although most people with diabetes are able to moderately include alcohol in their diets, they must inform their doctor before doing so, and it must be done responsibly.
  • Medication interaction: Certain medications may have interactions with alcohol. If you’re on any medications, whether prescription or over the counter, it is important that you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before consuming alcohol.
  • Over working the kidneys: Your kidneys work hard to keep you body healthy and in a balanced state. Excessive consumption of alcohol can affect your kidney’s abilities to maintain you fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Alcohol can also have a negative impact on the hormones that control kidney function, as well as increase your blood pressure. High Blood Pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure.
  • Drink responsibly and in moderation: The key in consumption of alcohol is moderation. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it is recommended to those who decide to drink that; women should have n more than one drink a day, and men should cap their intake at two drinks a day. The following is a guideline of one drink:
  1. Beer: 12 Fluid ounce 355 millilites)
  2. Wine: 5 Fluid ounces (148 milliliters)
  3. Distilled Spirits (80 proof): 1.5 Fluid ounces (44 milliliters)

With your support, The Iya Foundation, Inc is confident a feasible early detection, surveillance and treatment program can be established to slow, and possibly prevent the progression of kidney disease in the U.S, and particularly in the African Immigrant Community in the U.S.
Click here to support The Iya Foundation, Inc.

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