Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 3, 1 March 2022 — March is National Kidney Month [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

March is National Kidney Month

V MALAMA I KOU KINO V ^ CARE FOR YOUR BODY "

ByJodi Leslie Matsuo, DrPH

Maintaining kidney health is important. The kidneys are responsible for removing toxins and extra fluid from the blood, for disposing them from the body, and for so mueh more. High blood pressure and diabetes injures the kidneys. This is called chronic kidney disease (CKD), wherein kidney function is gradually lost over a period of time. Chronic kidney disease is more eommon in Native Hawaiians than in any other major ethnic group in Hawai'i. It is estimated that 90% of people who have kidney disease are not even aware they have it, as early stages of kidney disease have no symptoms. By the time symptoms are experienced, a person may already be in the advanced stages of CKD. Symptoms of CKD include decreased energy, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping, dry and itchy skin, ffequent urination, blood in urine, puffy eyes, swollen ankles and feet, poor appetite, and musele cramps. Many people who experienee these symptoms often disregard them, or think they are related to other causes. Regular appointments with your doctor is important. CKD ean be prevented or slowed by making some important dietary changes. For example, manage blood pressure better by eating more green leafy vegetables daily. This includes spinach, Chinese cabbages, kalamungay, lu au leaves, cilantro, and leafy lettuce. These contain nutrients needed to improve artery heahh and decrease inflammation, all of whieh lower blood pressure. At the same time, reduce your eon-

sumption of saturated fats such as those found in coconut oil, red meats, egg yolks, cheese and other dairy products, and animal fats and skin. These fats ean increase the stickiness or thickness of the blood, causing blood pressure to increase. Limit foods high in sodium, such as packaged and canned foods and seasonings. Common loeal examples of high sodium foods include ramen packets, canned meats, snack foods, and soy sauce and other Asian seasonings. Too mueh sodium increases fluid in the blood, causing blood pressure to rise. Consider drinking two cups of māmaki or red hibiscus tea per day. Hibiscus teas contain antioxidants and plant chemicals that help protect the kidney from damage, improve kidney function, and manage blood pressure. They have also been shown to have anti-diabetic, anti-cholesterol, and im-mune-boosting effects. Including these dietary changes - and eating more plant-foods in general - ean also help manage blood glucose levels better. And don't hesitate to also add more fruits and starchy vegetables to your diet - they are nutritious and most are safe for people with diabetes. There is one exception: if you have CKD, avoid star fruit. Star ffuit eontains a natural ehemieal that ean be toxic to the brain, causing confusion, seizures, and even brain damage. Healthy kidneys will remove this toxin from the blood stream. Injured or damaged kidneys are unahle to do this effectively, causing the toxin to buildup in the body. It is not enough to just eat nutritious food. Be sure to exercise daily, get enough sleep, and stop smoking. You and your kidneys deserve it. ■ Born and raised in Kona, Hawai'i, Dr. Jodi Leslie Matsuo is a Native Hawaiian Registered Dietician and certijied diabetes educator, with training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. Follow her on Facebook (@DrJodiLeslieMatsuo), Instagram (@drlesliematsuo) and on Twitter (@DrLeslieMatsuo).