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