"Start Taking Care of Your Kidneys Today: Simple Tips for Kidney Health, World Health"

The kidneys are important organs that filter waste, maintain water and mineral balance. It regulates blood pressure and produces hormones necessary for various body systems. Maintaining healthy kidneys not only has a positive impact on our health. It also contributes to the care of our environment.

World Kidney Day 2026 is held under the concept of "Kidney Health For All; Caring for People, Protecting the Planet" to raise awareness of the importance of kidney health along with an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Rising temperatures that cause dehydration, as well as extreme weather events, all increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease and accelerate the progression of the disease more severe and faster.

Taking care of your kidneys and the planet sustainably is easy to do through simple practical tips. As follows:

1. Carry a personal water bottle to promote adequate water intake.

Drinking enough clean water helps the kidneys to function efficiently. Carrying a personal water bottle or flask In addition to helping you drink water consistently. It can also help reduce the use of single-use plastics.

2. Choose foods that are good for the kidneys and good for the planet.

Small adjustments to the diet can help reduce the burden on kidney function while reducing greenhouse gas emissions or carbon footprint, such as:

• Add vegetables, fruits, and legumes to meals.
• Reduce the consumption of red meat and processed foods.
• Choose local foods or seasonal ingredients to reduce the energy used in transportation and storage.

3. Reduce sodium and waste by cooking your own food.

Ready-made foods are often high in sodium. Cooking your own meals helps control the amount of sodium you receive, reduce the risk of kidney disease, and reduce waste from packaging, such as:

• The use of herbs and spices instead of salt.
• Choose a simple menu that uses fresh ingredients from your local market to reduce the consumption of ready-to-eat meals, which are high in sodium, and use a lot of plastic packaging.

4. Reduce car usage Increase physical activity for health and the environment.

Physical activity has a positive effect on kidney function. Heart and circulatory system Switching to active transportation instead of using personal vehicles is not only good for kidney health, but also reduces carbon dioxide emissions, such as:

• Walk or cycle instead of driving at close range.
• Stretch during breaks between work.

5. Manage stress for good mental and kidney health

Accumulated stress affects blood pressure and makes the kidneys work harder. Mental health care is an important part of kidney health care, which can start with simple daily activities such as:

• Practice deep breathing for 3-5 minutes.
• Listen to your favorite music or do a relaxing activity.
• Relax in nature to calm your mind and restore your mental state.

In addition, having good mental health supports thoughtful resource decisions. Reduce stress management through unnecessary consumption, which can lead to waste generation and long-term environmental impacts.

6. Regular kidney health check-ups

Kidney disease is usually asymptomatic in the early stages. Regular blood and urine tests can help assess the risk and prevent problems early, such as:

• Health check-up even if there are no abnormal symptoms.
• Adjust behavior according to the advice of medical personnel.
• Encourage people around you to take care of kidney health together.

Health check-ups can help increase health awareness and strengthen motivation to make appropriate health behaviors. This is conducive to kidney health care along with an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Kidney care doesn't have to be complicated, complicated, or time-consuming, just start by paying attention to the small things in everyday life, such as carrying a water bottle, cooking your own meals to reduce sodium. Exercise regularly and manage stress appropriately, along with taking care of the environment. These health behaviors not only reduce the risk of kidney disease, but they can also help reduce the impact on the environment, because good health and a healthy environment are the foundation of a healthy society and a sustainable world.

"Start taking care of your kidney health today.

Because kidney care is a small step that can help create a sustainable future in the world."

References

1. Ogobuiro I, Tuma F. Physiology, renal. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jul 24 [cited 2025 Dec 4]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/

2. World Kidney Day. 2026 campaign [Internet]. Brussels: World Kidney Day; 2026 [cited 2025 Dec 4]. Available from: https://www.worldkidneyday.org/2026-campaign/

3. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Health Organization. Sustainable healthy diets: guiding principles [Internet]. Rome: FAO; 2020 [cited 2025 Dec 4]. Available from: https://www.fao.org/3/ca6640en/CA6640EN.pdf

4. National Kidney Foundation. Healthy hydration and your kidneys [Internet]. New York: National Kidney Foundation; [cited 2025 Dec 4]. Available from: https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/healthy-hydration-and-your-kidneys

5. National Kidney Foundation. Stressed? 10 ways to protect your kidneys [Internet]. New York: National Kidney Foundation; [cited 2025 Dec 4]. Available from: https://www.kidney.org/news-stories/stressed-10-ways-to-protect-your-kidneys