eMetro Times March2018 V318 | Page 15

Living Better with Piedmont
March 2018
Page 15

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

DON ’ T KID-AROUND WITH YOUR KIDNEY

By Marge Roberts , RN , MSHP , DAHom

March is National Kidney Month , yet few people understand the vital role their kidneys play , beyond the fact that they are somehow involved in the removal of urine from the body . We take our kidneys for granted unless , or until , something goes wrong . The kidneys filter about 125-150 quarts of blood every day , resulting in just 1-2 quarts of urine each day . The urine contains both wastes and extra fluid . The kidneys are
responsible for much more . The kidneys are involved in blood pressure regulation by controlling fluid levels . They produce renin , which in turn is involved in making the hormone angiotensin II which causes blood vessels to constrict , thereby increasing the blood pressure in a condition of low blood pressure or shock .
The kidneys are essential in making red blood cells by producing a hormone called
erythropoietin . Erythropoietin tells the bone marrow to make red blood cells . They participate in bone health by creating an active form of vitamin D . You need vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus which are necessary minerals for bone strength . The kidneys also balance the calcium and phosphorus , so your body has the correct amount .
The kidneys maintain a healthy pH level . When cells naturally break down , they make acids . The foods you choose to eat can also either increase or lower the amount of acid in your body . Your kidneys balance the pH of your body by either removing or adjusting the right amounts of acid and buffering agents . This is one
reason to avoid sodas . Soft drinks are acidic . Phosphoric acid contained in regular sodas acidifies your urine , and even ‘ natural ’ sodas contain citric acid . If you like the fizz , opt for sparkling water instead or sweeten it with a little natural stevia . You can indulge in your sweet-tooth , bubbly habit without the adverse effects on your kidneys .
According to Dr . Mercola , “ Most Americans consume three to five times more protein than they need , and two to four times more fructose than is safe . These two dietary factors place significant stress on your kidneys , promoting kidney disease and stones .” What a great way to save money and take care of your kidneys at the same time . We all know that when we go out to eat , the most expensive portion of the meal is the desert . Forgo the desert – not every time but some of the time . When you start to eat a third or a fifth of the meat or protein of your choice and replace the portions with vegetables – the savings will be a welcomed addition to your family budget .
On the other end of excess , only 2 percent of U . S . adults get the recommended daily amount of potassium . Potassium is
in many foods such as fruits , vegetables , dairy products , salmon , and nuts . Unfortunately , many people have a regular diet of fast food and processed foods , void of fresh fruits , vegetables , and whole foods . Potassium is essential for your organs to function correctly and your kidneys are responsible for maintaining the proper amount of it in your body . However , if you have severe kidney impairment , you may need to restrict your intake of high-potassium foods . Your healthcare provider can guide you .
Long-term alcohol consumption and smoking are also detrimental to kidney health . These habits also wreak havoc on your liver and your life , so now you have other reasons to break these habits . Homeopathy , acupuncture , hypnosis , chiropractic , and massage are natural therapies that can help break both alcohol and tobacco addictions . Chemical drugs , especially analgesics , are also guilty of contributing to kidney damage when taken frequently or in excess . They are toxins that can overwhelm the kidneys . This includes many over-thecounter drugs such as aspirin , anti-inflammatory drugs ,
ibuprofen , and acetaminophen . Consider their avoidance by using chiropractic , massage or homeopathy as therapies for pain relief .
Homeopathy also is known for its kidney and bladder remedies such as Cantharis , Solidago , Berberis and Benzoicum acidum . Some
homeopathic manufacturers combine kidney remedies in a detoxifier complex for ease of use . Massage is also an excellent adjunct for detoxification because it increases circulation of both the blood and the lymph which impact the kidneys .
Don ’ t kid around with your kidneys ; they ’ re much too vital to your health . Restrict protein to only what your body needs ; restrict sugar ; drink lots of pure , clean water ; avoid as many chemical drugs as you can ; exercise ; limit alcohol consumption and avoid acidproducing foods and you ’ ll be on your way to having healthy kidneys !
Marge Roberts , BSN , MSHP , DAHom
President / CEO Newton Homeopathics /
AACH

Living Better with Piedmont

7 HEALTH BENEFITS OF ZUMBA

Why Zumba is a great alternative to traditional fitness programs :
• It ’ s fun ! And the more fun you have , the more likely you are to want to keep doing it . Many people say they have so much fun dancing that they forget they are actually exercising .
• Great for weight loss . Zumba is a powerful exercise with a 600 to 1,000-calorie burn in just an hour .
• Tones your entire body . You may feel sore in places you never knew existed , but it gets results . Zumba targets lots of different muscle groups at once for total body toning .
• Boosts your heart health . You not only get aerobic benefits ( it really gets your heart rate up !), you also get anaerobic benefits – the kind that help you maintain a good cardiovascular respiratory system .
• Helps you de-stress . Turning your attention to dance , and away from the daily grind , is a great way to relieve stress . Studies show that exercise is very effective at reducing fatigue , improving alertness and concentration , and enhancing overall cognitive function .
• Improves coordination . In Zumba , your arms and legs are generally moving in different directions so it requires a good deal of coordination . Repeated practice improves coordination and helps you feel more comfortable moving your body .
• Makes you happy ! Every time you exercise , you release endorphins , which trigger positive feelings throughout the body .
Ready to try it ? Start with these three simple moves . Don ’ t be afraid ! Zumba is for any age and can be adapted to any fitness level .
For more ideas on how to move your body , visit https :// www . piedmont . org / livingbetter .

PIEDMONT NEWTON EMS OFFERS LIFE-SAVING SKILL FREE OF CHARGE

The EMS team of Piedmont Newton Hospital is offering a free hands-only CPR training class from 11 a . m . to 3 p . m . at the Walmart in Covington . According to Pat Miller , a paramedic with Piedmont Newton , learning the skill could be a lifesaving measure .
“ As emergency responders , we see firsthand what the benefits of CPR can do , especially for a person in cardiac arrest ,” Miller said . They believe the skill is so important , they are offering it free of charge to the community .
The reason it ’ s so important is because a staggering majority ( around 90 %) of people die from cardiac arrest simply because no one is around to perform CPR . According to the American Heart Association , most instances of heart attack occur at home , work , or a public place where there are no first responders who know CPR . When performed within a few minutes of cardiac arrest , CPR can triple the likelihood of someone ’ s survival .
The kind of CPR that will be taught at the Covington Walmart will be “ handsonly .” That means you won ’ t be performing rescue breaths . This kind of CPR has two simple steps : 1 .) call 911 2 .) push hard and fast in the center of a person ’ s chest at 100 beats per minute . Trainers often suggest pushing to the rhythm of an uptempo song to help count the beats .
In a matter of five minutes , you could learn a skill that could save someone ’ s life . Pat Miller went on to say that even though around 70 % of cardiac arrests that occur outside of a hospital happen inside the home , only around 50 % get the life-saving care that they need before a professional arrives . Miller believes that all of that can change .
The hands-only CPR course will take place in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart located at 11300 Industrial Blvd . in Covington , GA . It will be free and open to anyone in the community who is interested in learning this life-saving skill .

Eating is a form of entertainment in today ’ s culture but have you ever considered preparing food and having a workout routine a form of entertainment ? As a personal trainer of 16 years , I love sharing my enthusiasm for working out and
preparing food . Everyone looks for the shortcut , the easy diet , the magic pill , the miraculous liquid and the perfect workout plan , but the fact is that it does not exist .
Being healthy and achieving your goals for a better you comes down to proper diet , an exercise regime , adequate water intake , and sleep . Making smart choices is what we ’ re talking about . The list of physical activities are endless and can include walking in place , biking , swimming , running , and playing games in the yard with your children . Dinner and a movie does not need to be removed from your life and in fact , it is encouraged . However , it should be done in moderation . I challenge my clients to make their workouts fun . I ask
them to share ideas for new food ideas and recipes . People look forward to meal prep night because the whole family can get involved . Once you are finished , you can enjoy watching your jealous coworkers drool over your fabulous and healthy lunch .
There are hundreds of diets but what works depends on the individual . I recommend before beginning any diet you speak with your doctor , look at your blood work , and create a plan . Do you need to join a gym to begin exercising ? No , you do not . However , there is a lot of fun and accountability when you are surrounded by others in a gym . I have dedicated over half of my life to maintaining a healthy body
and teaching others the proper way to eat and workout . Yes , it is my entertainment !
Having a customized meal plan works to avoid the gimmicks you read about and see on every other commercial . The fuel the body needs for energy comes from certain foods , which allow the body to store energy . Balancing the intake of proteins , carbohydrates , sugars , fats , water , vitamins , and minerals will allow someone to maintain a healthy weight . Fad diets and completely cutting out certain foods can be more harmful than helpful . Moderation is imperative and knowing your body and how it metabolizes food . Reading food labels or researching the value in food composition can
cause less frustration .
Getting the heart rate up burns calories and increases blood flow which can carry nutrients to all the parts of the body . Hydrating while enduring physical activity is crucial and it keeps the body balanced . Exercise does not have to be daily , but it is recommended five days a week for at least 30 minutes .
Physical activity while maintaining good nutrition is the key to a healthy life . So the answer is simple . You must eat right , start moving and find some fun in both . Sharing my love for healthy living is only one part of what I do but seeing transformations is the most significant reward . No more excuses !
Fred Williams