KEEP YOUR KIDNEYS HEALTHY

Keeping your kidneys healthy is something everyone should handle with utmost seriousness. The kidneys are rightly small, I know, but once they breakdown, the whole body is going down too, it's only a matter of time.

It has been mentioned earlier in the previous post HAVE YOUR KIDNEYS BEEN HIDING FROM YOU?, that your kidneys are delicate organs. Why? Your kidneys make up just about 0.5% of your total body weight, which is way too small compared to the load of work they have on them.

Now imagine people with one damaged kidney, that is, they live on the other functioning one. It means the whole work meant to be shared by the two is done by one. This is way too much for one kidney to bear. What you see in no time is the breakdown of that one too, then you hear of total kidney failure. Hence, the need to take issues as regards your kidneys VERY serious.

              HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOUR KIDNEYS?

There's not just one thing you can do to protect your kidneys and keep them healthy; you have many things to do, of which is what we'll be discussing in the next few lines.

WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

It is not what comes out of the body that kills the body, but what goes into it. What you eat or drink has great effect on your general well-being and your kidneys, because everything still gets to them.

REDUCE YOUR SALT INTAKE

Choose and prepare foods with less salt and sodium. Too much sodium/salt intake increases blood pressure. High blood pressure causes chronic kidney disease.

To help control your blood pressure. Your diet should contain less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day.

Sodium (a part of salt) is added to many packaged foods as well. Check the Nutrition Facts label on food packages for sodium.

REDUCE YOUR POTASSIUM AND CALCIUM INTAKE

Choose foods that have the right amount of potassium. Salty food substitutes can be very high in potassium.

Calcium and Potassium supplements have been linked to an increased risk of kidney stones.

WATCH YOUR SUGAR INTAKE

This is especially for people with kidney diseases e.g diabetes. The sugar level in the blood needs to be controlled. High blood-sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys as well as the rest of the body.

YOU NEED TO WATCH THE PROTEINS TOO

Eating the right amount and the right types of protein helps your kidneys much. Excess protein intake overwork the kidneys. To help protect your kidneys, eat small portions of protein foods. You can substitute your beans and meat for fish, and other lighter ones.

CHOOSE HEART HEALTHY FOODS

Choose foods that are healthy for your heart. Foods like fish, vegetables, fruits, low-fat milk, yogurt, etc help prevent fat from building up in your blood vessels, heart, and kidneys.

CERTAIN FOODS INTAKE NEED TO BE LIMITED

Different chemicals in your diet can contribute to certain types of kidney stones. These include: excessive sodium animal protein citric acid, found in citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits oxalate, a chemical found in rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, sweet potatoes, tea, and chocolate.

Normally, you shouldn’t avoid these foods completely, as many of them are rich in beneficial vitamins and nutrients.

If you’ve had kidney stones, your doctor can analyse your particular type of stone and offer advice about adjusting your diet.

ENRICH YOURSELF WITH FRUITS

Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are packed with load of nutrients, some fruits and vegetables have anti-oxidants which helps to protect your entire body system by fighting free radicals. Fruits like apples, peaches, carrots, etc are very handy.

TAKE PLENTY OF WATER

Remember, the kidney's main function is to remove waste products from the blood through urine. This function is well aided with the presence of water in the body, making the work easier.

Dehydration (not taking enough water) can cause kidney damage. In addition, drinking water leads to frequent urination, which can help expel kidney stones before they grow large enough to cause severe pain as they pass through.

Swap sugar loaded drinks for water as it is so much better for your health - be sugar free!

NOTE: Some bottled water contains salt which can lead to fluid retention, swelling and even increased blood pressure in susceptible people. Check the label and choose low sodium varieties ( less than 30mg sodium per 100ml).

GET PLENTY OF EXERCISE

Get plenty of regular physical activity. This helps your heart to pump blood better, and also makes blood flow to the kidneys and other organs more efficiently. Exercising also helps you burn excess and unnecessary body fats.

WATCH THE KIND OF MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE

If you take any medications, do so as the label and your doctor prescribe. Some drugs are dangerous to your health, and are seen as toxins. Drugs like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can cause kidney damage. If normal doses of these medications are not effective at controlling pain, see a doctor.

IF YOU SMOKE OR DRINK, THEN IT'S TIME TO QUIT

Tobacco/cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking make your kidneys work harder, and can even damage them. Stay away from them so your kidneys will be kept healthy, and you too can live longer.

MAINTAIN REGULAR MEDICAL CHECK-UP

Even after keeping to all that has been earlier mentioned, regular visit to the hospital MUST not be pushed aside.

There are always exceptional cases, only a regular medical check-up routine can help you detect that.

#STAYHEALTHY, #STAYSAFE #PROTECTYOURKIDNEYS!!!

REFERENCE:

HEALTHLINE

NKDEP

Yoga for Healthy Aging The Book!

by Nina

The positive “changes” that Baxter alluded to in his post Friday "The Times They Are A'Changing" are that he and I have agreed to write a book on Yoga for Healthy Aging for Shambhala Press. Yes! We’ve wanted to write a book on yoga for healthy aging for some time now (and a lot of our readers have been asking for one), but we needed to find the right publisher. And the way we found Shambhala is truly wonderful.

During our 2015 summer, one of our students was a tall quiet man named Dave. We didn’t know much about him except that we knew he wasn’t a yoga teacher and that he had come to the intensive with his husband all the way from Boston. At the end of the intensive, during our closing circle, one of the other attendees asked us when we were going to have a book. I made a somewhat flippant remark, “Someone’s going to have to pay me to do that!” Baxter calmly explained that what I meant by that was we had decided that self-publishing wasn’t right for us, so we needed to find a publisher for our book. It wasn’t about making money so much as we needed the production and marketing support of traditional publisher to create the type of book we wanted to put out in the world.

After the intensive we had a little party, where we could relax and socialize, and I was standing there eating some delicious vegetarian sushi when Dave walked up to me and said, “So you want someone to pay you to write a book?” I replied, “Yes, that’s right.” And he said, “I’ll do it,” and handed me his business card. I looked at the card, and learned only then that he was Dave O’Neal, Senior Editor for Shambhala Press! Frankly, I don’t remember exactly what I said after that I was so nonplussed. But clearly I said something positive because within a few days Dave and I were discussing the outline of the book, possible deadlines, etc. Baxter and I didn’t hesitate about this deal for even a moment because not only was Shambhala the publisher of some of our favorite, most used books, including The Woman's Book of Yoga and Health by Linda Sparrowe and Patricia Walden, and Richard Rosen’s books on pranayama and Original Yoga, but our acquiring editor was going to be someone who really understood and appreciated our work. 

Anyway, you can see why—with a whole book to write—it’s going to be a busy year for us! And while we’re both going to continue to write for (and, in my case, also continue as Editor-in-Chief for) the blog, there will be some changes so we can free up a bit more of our time for working on the book. That’s why Baxter is temporarily giving up the Friday Q&A feature. I, too, will be changing the focus of my blogging a bit—although that may not be as obvious to you because I tend to be a bit all over the place (for example, maybe not so much science from me). So that’s why even though the book won’t be published until 2017, we’re announcing it now.

Another reason we’re announcing the book project so early is that we need your help! Dave and I agreed our book would be more compelling if we included the stories of some real-life yoga practitioners whose physical, mental, or emotional health has been improved by yoga—or who has just found more peace of mind. So you are someone with a good story about how yoga has helped you with strength, flexibility, balance, agility, stress, medical problems or all-around health, or equanimity, please write me via the Contact Us Page page. 

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First Ever Yoga for Healthy Aging Residental Retreat Teacher Training!

We are excited to share the news that the next Yoga for Healthy Aging Intensive, to be held on June 23rd-30th, 2017 and co-taught by Baxter Bell and Melina Meza, will be our first residential retreat. It will be held in Scotts Valley, California, at the new 1440 Multiversity. We believe this residential retreat in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains, where you will stay onsite, have meals provided, and can enjoy the peaceful and lovely campus in the redwood forest, will be the perfect place to enhance your learning of Yoga for Healthy Aging concepts and practices. Please direct all questions about that are not addressed on the 1440 Multiversity website directly to Baxter at baxterbell@mac.com. 

The course will provide instructions on maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional health as you age. The main focus of the course is on preventative strategies, covering:

• Strength
• Flexibility
• Agility
• Balance
• Stress Management
• Circulatory System and Heart Health
• Brain Health
• Medical Conditions (in general)
• Equanimity
  

Melina and Baxter will present the scientific background that explains how and why yoga works to foster healthy aging, so you’ll understand which techniques to use when. They will also teach you the essential yoga poses, yoga sequences, and other practices that will set you up for a lifetime of practice. 

This intensive is designed for relatively healthy, relatively physically able participants. Not included in workshop: 1) Instructions for seniors who cannot stand unaided and need to practice in chairs and 2) Information about yoga as therapy for specific medical conditions.

For certified yoga teachers, this course will provide supplemental, specialized training in yoga for healthy aging techniques, which you can then teach to your own students. For yoga students with one or more years of experience, this course will provide you with the tools to create a personalized yoga program that meets your particular needs and concerns. 

For teachers who want YHFA Certification, you will need to:

1. Attend all the sessions during the intensive.
2. Attend the extra session at the end of the intensive, where you’ll do a short teaching demonstration.
3. Pass the take-home final that Baxter provides.
4. Provide a copy of your basic yoga teacher certificate (minimum 200hr training required) (or resume reflecting equivalent experience)

PRICING: 

Training: $760
Training + Certification: $910 

Additional cost of lodging and meals as specified at 1440 Multiversity. 

Baxter Bell, MD, eRYT500 is a co-founder of and regular contributor to the Yoga for Healthy Aging blog, where he shares his knowledge of medical conditions, anatomy, and yoga with practitioners and teachers across the world. In addition to teaching classes, workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats internationally, Baxter is a presenter at Yoga Journal Conferences and the International Association of Yoga Therapy’s Sytar Conference, and teaches online courses at YogaUOnline. 

Melina Meza, eRYT500, BS Nutrition, is a certified YFHA teacher and Ayurvedic health educator, who has been sharing her knowledge of yoga for over 20 years . Since 1997, Melina has been teaching at 8 Limbs Yoga Center in Seattle, where she is co-director of their teacher training program. Meza is the author of the Art of Sequencing books and contributing photographer for YFHA Blog. Currently residing in Oakland California, Melina facilitates year-round yoga workshops and retreats.

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Things To Know About Healthy Vending Companies In Boston

By Harriett Crosby

As technology advances, people are losing their jobs. It is to buy an item and get it out of a machine. It is the role of healthy vending companies in Boston to supply the machines which people use to buy various items. The market if filled with clients who want such machines and the Irma supplying them are equally many. It is however important to know that some of them do not have what it takes to make good machines for their clients. Therefore, you have to be very careful when choosing a company to buy the machines from.

It is very important to consider the number of years of experiences the company has been in the services and its success. Firms which are not experiences may not deliver good services which customers will be proud of. You need good health in order to perform your duties well. Unhealthy eating habits have contributed to the obesity to most individuals.

There are lots of risks associated with eating unhealthy foods. Make sure you are at the forefront in ensuring that your family eats right. This can be facilitated by buying nutritious foods from health retailing machines in your area. Do not just buy foods from any machine without first checking to see that it sells quality food items.

The next thing to check when hiring these firms cost of producing the machines. There are different companies in the market but they charge different costs for their services. You should however never use price as the main determinant of the firm to hire. This is because such firms lure clients by using low costs for their services.

Cost is another thing to keep in mind in your search for the perfect firm. Some firms use low costs for their services to draw the attention of clients. This should be the last factor to consider. Once all the above factors have been met, cost should be the last one.

Friends and relatives close to you may also have the kind of information you need. Make sure to ask for their help. If they have heard or been involved with such a good firm before, they will be glad to help make your search easier and fast.

Firms have always used the directory to advertise their contact details. This makes it easier for clients to stay in touch with them. Only the best firms have their contacts listed there. Hiring such firms will be a good idea since their services are dependable.

The last thing to use when hiring healthy vending companies in Boston is the internet. This is another reliable source which is fast and can give instant answers. Use it today to get all the details about the firms in order to find the best for hire. Take time to research before hiring a firm.

About the Author:

If you would like to know more about top healthy vending companies in Boston you can visit our website at www.Berkshirenatural.com today. To get further details, take a look at our homepage on http://www.Berkshirenatural.com now.

Yoga for Healthy Eating Rerun

by Nina

Seeing that it’s the holiday season—when people often make resolutions regarding healthy eating—I thought now would be a good time to rerun our overview of yoga for healthy eating. Basically, between the two of us, we’ve come up with a four-pronged approach to support healthy eating:

• Understand your digestive system

• Practice stress management
• Cultivate mindfulness
• Strengthen Will Power

1. Understanding Your Digestive System

Baxter has recorded a short audio tour of the digestive system (see Audio Tracks) that you can use to learn about how your digestive system works and what happens to your food as and after you eat it. It’s especially helpful for you to learn about how your digestive system interacts with your Autonomic Nervous System and higher brain function. When you’re in a state of stress (see Stress, Your Health and Yoga), your nervous system diverts your body’s resources away from your digestive system (you don’t need to be eating or digesting your food when you’re running away from that tiger or that car that looks like it’s not going to be stopping before the crosswalk!). So chronic stress can cause digestive problems. In addition, even thinking about stressful situation can have a potential negative impact on digestion!

2. Practicing Stress Management

Chronic stress may not only cause digestive problems as I mentioned above, but the cortisol that is released can cause weight gain by stimulating your appetite (Yoga, Stress and Weight Management). So one of the most important things you can do to improve digestion and move toward healthy eating is to use your yoga practice to reduce your stress levels. See The Relaxation Response and Yoga for basic information on using yoga to switch your nervous system from the Fight or Flight response (stress mode) to the Rest and Digest response (relaxation mode). It’s not called the Rest and Digest mode for nothing!

3. Cultivating Mindfulness

Many poor eating habits are just that—habits! Practicing yoga asana with mindfulness and meditating will help you tune into your body, and not to ignore it. And as you tune into your body, you may learn about foods you are currently eating that are compromising your health (see Got Mindfulness?) or notice poor eating habits, such as eating beyond satiety (see Meditation and Healthy Eating). Cultivating mindfulness can teach you to recognize:

• which foods are good for you and which are not (not just junk food, but maybe food intolerances or allergies) 
• when you are full and don’t need to eat more
• when you are thirsty instead of hungry
• when you are eating for stress, not for hunger

See Yoga for Healthy Eating for more information.

Mindfulness will also help you start to recognize habitual thoughts that are getting in the way of healthy eating. You can then work on changing your perspective (see Cultivating the Opposite).


4. Strengthening Will Power

Once you’ve identified your habits or have decide to eliminate or cut back certain foods, it takes will power to change! According the Dr. Kelly McGonigal, being in a state of stress can increase impulsive behavior and decrease will power. So practicing stress management as we describe above will help with your will power (see Healthy Eating, Stress and Self Control). However, you can also use a meditation practice to intentionally strengthen your will power.  Meditation teaches you to return to your object of meditation (your focus) and tune out distractions (temptations):

“Neuroscientists have discovered that when you ask the brain to meditate, it gets better not just at meditating, but at a wide range of self-control skills, including attention, focus, stress management, impulse control, and self awareness. People who meditate regularly aren’t just better at these things. Over time, their brains become finely tuned willpower machines. Regular meditators have more gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, as well as regions of the brain that support self-awareness." —Dr. Kelly McGonigal

See Meditation and Healthy Eating for more information. 

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