Cancer is considered the plague of modern times, but most people don’t know that kidney issues kill more people than breast and prostate cancer together.

The National Institute of Health confirms that there are over 660,000 Americans diagnosed with kidney failure. Diabetes and high blood pressure are leading causes of kidney failure.

In this article, we provide more information on kidneys, their function and 25 common signs of kidney issues. You will also get an advice on how to optimize the function of your kidneys.

The role of kidneys

These bean-shaped organs are located below the ribs and take part in numerous body functions. Healthy kidneys filter half a cup of blood every minute while removing waste. Urine flows to the ureters, and stays there until passed.

Here are some other vital functions:

• Produce red blood cells
• Strengthen bones
• Release pressure-regulating hormones
• Balance electrolytes
• Prevent fluid and waste buildups

Main function

Did you pay attention to your science classes? If yes, you probably know everything about kidneys, including the function of nephrons.

If no, here’s a brief info. Nephrons are filtering units in your kidneys. A million nephrons do their job every second, and each nephron is composed of glomerulus and tubule (filtering components).

Nephrons take part in a twofold process:

1. The glomerulus filters blood

2. The tubule carries elements to blood and removes water

The kidneys are part of your urinary tract, working in a synergy with the bladder, ureters and urethra. Your urinary tract carries the following functions:

• Balances levels of electrolytes and metabolites
• Flushes out blood waste products
• Normalizes blood pressure and volume
• Regulates blood pH values

Common kidney issues

There are four common kidney issues most people deal with:

1. Cysts

These are tiny sacs filled with fluid that are usually noncancerous. Kidney cysts rarely trigger serious health issues.

2. Infection

Kidney infections are caused by bacterial overgrowth in the bladder and urethra.

3. Injury

Acute kidney injury is a sudden episode of kidney damage or failure. The symptoms disappear within a few hours or days.

4. Stones

High levels of crystal-forming substances in urine result in the formation of kidney stones. Calcium oxalate buildups are the most common cause of stones.

Risk factors

Early intervention is of utmost importance. Race, gender, age and family history are factors you should take into consideration, as noted by Rumeyza Kazancioglu.

Demographics and lifestyle choices affect the risk of kidney issues.

In 2013, the Turkish researcher released a helpful article in the journal Kidney International Supplements. The researcher identified the risk factors of chronic kidney disease.

Risk factors categorized by age, ethnicity, family history, gender, lifestyle choices, and other factors

Age: Aging affect the renal function in both men and women. About half of elderly screened for CKD are positive.

Ethnicity: African-Americans in the US are 3-4 times more likely to deal with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) thanCaucasians. They have a five time higher risk of hypertensive ESRD.

Gender: Men have a higher risk of kidney issues. It may be related to testosterone levels.

Family history: About 25 percent of patients diagnosed with ESRD have a family member diagnosed with the same issue.

Lifestyle choices: Smoking, obesity, alcohol, heavy metal exposure and analgesic medication increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Medical conditions: The risk of kidney disease may be increased by cardiovascular disease, hepatitis C, HIV infection, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome.

25 hidden signs of kidney issues

Some people can’t “read” the signs their kidneys send. If you have any of the following symptoms, consult your doctor:

1. Fatigue

Kidney issues cause a lack of red blood cells which is why your brain and muscles are exhausted.

2. Dizziness

Your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, and there’s a lack of red blood cells.

3. Fainting

It’s similar to dizziness. Fainting is a common symptom in those dealing with kidney issues.

4. Weakness

Muscle weakness happens as a result of the lack of oxygen.

5. Brain fog

It stands for issues with alertness, concentration, learning, and memory.

6. Shortness of breath

Your body doesn’t have enough oxygen and there may be fluid buildups in the lungs. Both issues are caused by kidney issues.

7. Itchiness

Your kidneys remove waste, so kidney failure leads to dangerous buildups. Itchy skin is a common symptom of the accumulation of fluids.

8. Swollen hands and feet

The body is unable to eliminate excess fluid which is why your feet and hands are swollen.

9. Swollen neck and face

Kidney issues make your face and neck swollen, too.

10. Metallic taste in the mouth

Uremia or waste buildups in blood cause this symptom.

11. Bad breath

Bad breath is a result of waste buildups.

12. Nausea

Uremia causes nausea, too.

13. Upset stomach

It’s a co-symptom of nausea.

14. Vomiting

Kidney infection and other kidney issues cause vomiting.

15. Weight loss

It comes from poor appetite or vomiting.

16. Feeling cold

Anemia makes you feel cold really often.

17. Frequent urination

Damaged nephrons are the real cause of this.

18. Pressure during urination

Kidney issues cause this pressure.

19. Changes in urine

Foamy urine may be a sign of kidney issues. The same applies to those whose urine is brown, purple or red.

20. Trouble sleeping

There’s a strong link between poor sleep duration and CKD.

21. Loss of appetite

The lack of appetite is common in those dealing with kidney issues. The loss of appetite may be accompanied by a metallic taste in your mouth.

22. Abdominal swelling

Your kidneys don’t filter fluid properly, and you end up dealing with a swollen belly.

23. Bloody urine

It’s a serious issue and requires professional help.

24. Muscle cramps

Cramps are caused by imbalances of electrolytes and fluids, blood flow issues or damaged nerves.

25. Twitching

It’s caused by fluid imbalances.

Optimize kidney health

There are a few steps you should take to maintain your kidneys healthy and lower the risk of additional complications.

1. Healthy weight

Obesity is one of the top causes of kidney diseases.

2. Drink water

Water is the ultimate detox agent. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

3. Exercise

Be more active to keep your weight and health under control. Exercising helps those dealing with hypertension and prevents kidney disease. A 30-minute workout session is always a good idea.

4. OTCs

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs affect the function of your kidneys if taken for too long.

5. Say ‘no’ to cigarettes

Smoking constricts blood vessels and lowers the flow of blood to kidneys. Kidneys are unable to function properly, and your blood pressure goes up. This also increases your risk of kidney cancer.

A great number of adults, and numerous children, simply lose hot dogs. However, we are all aware of the fact that this food contains almost no nutrients.

Nevertheless, hot dogs are commonly included in the breakfast, along with bread, eggs, cheese, coffee or milk.

However, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, the consumption of only one hot dog daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 21%. Moreover, children who eat 12 or more hot dogs during the month are more susceptible to developing some kind of serious disease, especially leukemia.

Namely, hot dogs are rich in numerous chemicals and artificial compounds which lead to various infections and malignancy. These cancer-causing agents hot dogs contain have the capacity to cause the formation of tumor in living tissue.

This is review of the contents:

• Pork
• Mechanically separated chicken
• Mechanically separated turkey
• less than 2% of salt
• Flavor
• Corn syrup
• Dextrose
• Sodium diacetate
• Sodium nitrite
• Sodium ascorbate
• Sodium phosphates
• Sodium lactate

Namely, as soon as the food is warmed, prepared meats contain nitrates and nitrites which form nitrosamines together with amines, and they are shown to be cancer-causing.

Furthermore, hot dogs contain numerous remains of animals, like skins, heads, fatty tissues, feet, and numerous other butcher by-items. What’s more, hot dogs contain even more awful additional items.

Namely, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the Freedom of Information Act, reported that numerous other unusual objects have been found in this food, such as maggots, rat legs, Band-Aids, disposable blades, parts of eyeballs, metal sections, and glass shards.

So, do you still plan hot dogs to be your next delicious meal?

Angels are spiritual beings, which guide us. Although they have a much different frequency compared to humans, their guidance comes in the form of channeled messages, dreams, and directly receiving insight.

Therefore, there are many signs that show us that the angels are around us and they are trying to contact us.

These signs may seem small and meaningless at the beginning, but over time they may increase in frequency and size.

These spiritual beings send us signs, which are a symbolic reminder of their love and support. Therefore, we present you some of the most common signs from the angels.

You may start noticing these signs because you need some validation or an answer to a question you may have asked, or they may serve to simply remind you your angels are with you.

7 Common Angel Signs

Feathers

If you find feathers on your path, it is one of the signs of the angels. This is an amazing reminder that angels are near, loving and supporting you. If you experience this situation, then enjoy this powerful angelic sign.

Clouds

If you notice a cloud that looks like an angel, it means that your angel is near to you and in this way, it is showing its presence.

Want to know what is your attitude toward love and relationships? If so, then try out this optical illusion and dig deeper into your hidden personality traits.

Optical Illusion: What You See First Uncovers Your Attitude In Love And Relationships

Your task is simple. All you have to do is observe the given illusion and determine which object you saw first. The object you see first will reveal your attitude toward love.

What It Means

Two Trees

If you saw the two trees on the edge of the illusion first, then you are someone who thrives on companionship and enjoys looking for solutions and solving problems with your significant other.

However, you are someone who battles with trust issues in a relationship. It is most likely that you will take your sweet time in fully trusting your partner. This is probably the reason why you hate to rush things in a love connection.

Your approach to love and relationships is easygoing and gradual. Take your time and connect with your lover. It is advised that you try to be open and vulnerable with them.

The Dancing Couple

If your eyes first caught the sight of the dancing couple then you are someone who sees love as an equal partnership that thrives even as the two partners are vastly different personalities.

Noticing the dancing couple first likely indicates that you are in a healthy relationship currently or are certain about the kind of person you need. Being in the presence of your partner makes you feel elated and it could also mean that in a relationship you are the type of person who thinks nothing is more important than your partner.

Man With A Moustache

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If you first notice the man’s face with a moustache, then it could very well mean that you are at a crossroads with regard to your love life. It could also indicate that you are recovering from the emotional damage you suffered at the hands of a previous partner.

At this point, you may very well be of the impression that living alone is simpler and would land you in less trouble than having a toxic partner. Though if you hate your current status, then do not worry because seeing the man with the moustache means that this is a temporary situation.

It is time that you start releasing all the things that are causing you pain. For your own peace, try embracing things that bring you joy.

Despite looking highly unattractive, belly fat is a health issue that elevates the risk of serious health conditions.  Despite regular exercise as one of the best ways to get rid of the fatty deposits in the abdominal area, a healthy and balanced diet will help you accelerate the process and boost the effects.

Here are 20 effective ways to naturally lose belly fat at home, without going to the gym:

1. Reduce Refined Carbs

This step is essential when trying to burn belly fat, and diets with less than 50 grams of carbohydrates daily cause significant loss of belly fats in obese individuals. To accelerate metabolism and burn belly fat, you should substitute refined carbs, such as refined grains, with unprocessed starchy carbs such as whole grains and vegetables.

2. Cardio

Cardio exercises are among the best ways to burn calories and decrease belly fat. Yet, note that the frequency and duration of the workout are more important than the intensity.

3. Green tea

Green tea is an extremely beneficial drink that will help you lose belly fat, due to the presence of  EGCG, which is a beneficial catechin.

4. Soluble Fiber

Soluble fiber absorbs water and creates a gel, which helps in slowing down food as it goes down the gut. Therefore, it creates a feeling of fullness, helps weight loss, and lowers the number of calories absorbed by the body from food. You should increase the intake of flaxseed, legumes, blackberries, Brussels sprouts, avocados, and shirataki noodles.

5. Avoid Sugary Foods

Sugar has fructose, and its excess intake is linked to several chronic diseases, such as obesity, fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, limit their intake, and remember that even organic honey, even though it is a healthier sugar, can lead to belly fat gain.

6. Probiotic Supplement or Probiotic Foods

Probiotics are bacteria found in certain foods and supplements, that boost health in numerous ways, strengthen the immune system, and improve gut health. Researchers have shown that these foods regulate body weight and help you lose belly fat.

7. Avoid Alcohol Consumption

The excessive consumption of alcohol leads to harmful effects, including belly fat gain, and an increased risk of central obesity, or the excess storage of fat around the waist.

8. Avoid Trans Fat Foods

Trans fats are created through the pumping of hydrogen into saturated fats, and are present in certain margarine types, packaged foods, and spreads. Their consumption leads to belly fat gain, heart disease, inflammation, and insulin resistance. 

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is highly versatile and improves health in numerous ways. The acetic acid in it significantly helps the weight loss process and burns belly fat.

10. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish is a rich source of high-quality protein and disease-preventing omega-3 fats, which help in visceral fat reduction. Therefore, make sure you increase the intake of salmon, herring, anchovies, mackerel, and sardines.

11. Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is a popular weight loss method that follows a pattern that consists of cycling between eating periods and fasting periods. A popular intermittent fasting method is a 24-hour fast twice or once a week, as well as the one that involves fasting every day for 16 hours and eating within 8 hours.

12. Plenty of Restful Sleep

Sleep is crucial for our overall health, and it also leads to weight gain. A condition known as sleep apnea is linked to excess visceral fat and is characterized by the intermittent stopping of breathing at night. Therefore, sleep at least 7 hours every night, but make sure you also get a high-quality rest.

According to Dr. Luke James, the medical director for Bupa Health Clinics, UK:

“From scrolling through social media to having a late-night coffee, there are plenty of ways we unknowingly keep ourselves awake at night. Aside from feeling tired and groggy the next day, not getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night can affect weight loss.

When we’re lacking in sleep, our body’s hormones get thrown off balance which can impact our hunger levels the next day. We all have two hormones that affect our appetite: ghrelin and leptin. When we don’t get enough sleep, our ghrelin levels (the hormone that makes us feel hungry) rise, and our leptin levels (the hormone that makes us feel full) drop.

This means that when we’re awake, we tend to eat more but feel less satisfied. Try going to bed a little earlier than usual to avoid this imbalance and remember to remove any distractions that might prevent you from nodding off.”

13. Track Exercise and Food Intake

When you are trying to lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories. In order to monitor the intake of calories, you can keep a food diary, or use some other food-tracking tools that will analyze the consumption of micronutrients, fiber, carbs, and protein, as well as your level of physical activity and exercise.

14. Lifting Weights

Lifting weights is one of the best ways to lose visceral fat, along with cardio exercises, as they are crucial for gaining and preserving muscle mass.

15. Avoid Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Sugar-sweetened beverages are high in liquid fructose that leads to belly fat gain and produces increased fats in the liver. Therefore, you should steer away from these drinks, such as soda, punch, sweet tea, and various alcoholic combinations.

16. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is abundant in medium-chain fats that accelerate metabolism and helps the reduction of stored fats. Try taking two tablespoons of coconut oil daily, in order to speed up the burning of belly fat.

17. Reduce Stress

Stress causes belly fat gain since it stimulates the adrenal glands to release the stress hormone called cortisol. High cortisol levels increase appetite and boost the fat storage in the abdomen. Try to relieve stress by participating in exciting like yoga, sports, and meditation. 

“Feeling stressed can wreak havoc on our bodies. It can cause our body to produce the steroid hormone cortisol, which can make you crave sugary foods that provide instant energy and pleasure.

Short-term bursts of cortisol are necessary to help us cope with immediate danger, but our body will also release this hormone if we’re feeling stressed or anxious. When our cortisol levels are high for a long amount of time, it can increase the amount of fat you hold in your belly.”- says Dr.James.

18. Avoid Fruit Juice

Even though it is high in minerals and vitamins, fruit juice is also rich in sugar, so it contributes to weight gain. You should replace it with unsweetened iced tea, water, lemon water, or lime fruit juice.

19. Consume High-Protein Diet

Protein is essential when trying to decrease belly fat, so the increased intake triggers the release of the fullness hormone. It also speeds up the metabolism and helps in the retaining of muscle mass, so make sure you consume meals rich in meat, eggs, fish, dairy, and whey protein.

Dr.James  adds:

“Protein is great for fat loss. It helps build and preserve lean muscle tissue and can increase the number of calories you burn. It’s also a great source of energy that helps you feel fuller for longer, so you’re less tempted to snack.

Good sources include chicken breast, tuna, eggs, milk, and chickpeas. And if you’re finding it difficult to avoid snacks that are high in carbohydrates, try substituting them for protein shakes or bars. Remember also to opt for the lean sources of protein because some sources can be high in saturated fat.”

20. Adjust your Lifetime and Mix Various Methods

In order to reap the benefits of these weight loss strategies, you should combine them, and create your healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, which will help you lose belly fat and improve health in the long run.

Dr. Luke James claims:

“One of the hardest parts of losing weight is maintaining the lifestyle changes you’ve made. It’s difficult to stay motivated all the time, especially if you’ve slipped up along the way. But don’t let this affect your end goal. If you’re feeling particularly unmotivated, ask a friend to join you for your workout and then afterward cook something healthy for dinner together.”

Remember, this process takes some time, so you won’t experience amazing effects in a week or two. However, if you are determined and committed, you will surely achieve your goals!

Even though it is the latest trend, a gym membership does not guarantee a shaped and strong body and weight loss, since what you actually need to achieve these goals is motivation, determination, and time.

Therefore, you do not need to hit the gym in order to work on your body, as you can exercise regularly in the commodity of your home and still get fascinating effects.

The following 10-week challenge will help you reshape the body and finally get the body of your dreams.

Before you start with it, consider the following tips:

• You need to drink plenty of water to ensure that your body is always properly hydrated
• Pick the most appropriate time to exercise during the day, and experts recommend choosing the mornings
• Promise yourself that you will remain consistent and you will perform the exercise routine as explained below

Here is the 10-Week workout plan:

Monday

Every Monday during these 10 weeks, you will need to perform:

–25 crunches, 35 jumping jacks, 15 lunges, 20 squats, 5 push-ups, planks for 15 seconds, wall-sits for 25 seconds, 10 sit-ups, and 10 butt-kicks.

Tuesday

On Tuesdays, do the same exercises, but change the number of repetitions:

-20 crunches, 10 jumping jacks, 25 lunges, 10 squats, 10 push-ups, planks for 30 seconds, wall-sits for 25 seconds, 35 sit-ups, and 20 butt-kicks.

Wednesday

You will need to boost the intensity:

— 30 crunches, 50 jumping jacks, 25 lunges, 15 squats, 10 push-ups, planks for 40 seconds, wall-sits for 35 seconds, 30 sit-ups, and 25 butt-kicks.

Thursday

You will start burning more and more calories:

-20 crunches, 25 jumping jacks, 15 lunges, 35 squats, 20 push-ups, planks for 30 seconds, wall-sits for 60 seconds, 50 sit-ups, and 35 butt-kicks.

Friday

You need to remain dedicated to your aim and continue with the challenge:

-30 crunches, 55 jumping jacks, 60 lunges, 25 squats, 30 push-ups, planks for 60 seconds, wall-sits for 25 seconds, 40 sit-ups, and 50 butt-kicks.

During the weekend, you should rest the body after 5 days of intensive training. Yet, you can still go walking or jogging.

If you want to boost the effects of this challenge, you can combine it with cardio training during the weekend, as follows:

• 1st week- 30 seconds of sprint (30 sec. jog/5x);
• 2nd week-35 seconds of sprint (45sec. jog/6x);
• 3rd week- 45 seconds of sprint (1 min. jog/7x);
• 4th week-50 seconds of sprint (45sec. jog/8x);
• 5th week-55 seconds of sprint (30 sec. jog/7x);
• 6th week -1 minute of sprint (45 sec. jog/6x);
• 7th week- 65 seconds of sprint (1 min. jog/5x);
• 8th week- 70 seconds of sprint (45 sec. jog/6x);
• 9th week- 75 seconds of sprint (30 sec. jog/7x); and
• 10th week- 80 seconds of sprint (45 sec. jog/8x).

This workout will take about 45-60 minutes of your time daily.

The duration of the workout you need depends on your weight and the amount of weight you want to lose, but make sure you practise at least three hours a week to get satisfying effects.

Furthermore, making some beneficial dietary changes will also accelerate the process of weight loss and reshaping your body. Jon Denoris, a performance coach, recommends “nutrient timing”, which is eating the right food at the right time of day.

He says that one should consume unprocessed, whole foods as often as possible. If you are trying to lose weight, your diet should be rich in high-quality meat and fish; lots of vegetables, essential fats like avocados, nuts and coconut oil; and whole foods such as brown rice and quinoa, which have a lower GI rating.  Protein like meat, fish or eggs regulates metabolism and satisfies the appetite, so it will also lead to fewer junk food cravings. 

On the other hand, he suggests staying away from labeled foods, whose ingredients are difficult to pronounce.  Additionally, one of the biggest mistakes one can make is to ditch the healthy eating plan before the results are visible.

You should surround yourself with people that support you and your aims, and they can even join you in your healthy dietary regime and workout routine.  And remember, motivation is the most important thing, and from the moment you notice the first results, you are on a good way to get in great shape soon!

This short film will leave you speechless…

 

 

Doctors often prescribe Ibuprofen to their patients, in the case of headaches, pain in the back, or a toothache.

Yet, even though these pills relieve the pain for some time, it is not permanently cured. For instance, you will wake up with the same pain every morning, leading to constant frustration and pain.

Additionally, besides the fact that they do not cure the pain, the regular use of this pills may seriously damage health, especially the heart muscles, and even leading to death over some time.

Fortunately, you can use one much safer, completely natural option that will actually provide the wanted effects, and will not lead to harmful side-effects.

Turmeric is a commonly used plant with amazing healing properties and originates from southern Asia. Turmeric has been commonly used in the Asian medicine for millennia, and effectively treats both, hidden, and pronounced pain.

The turmeric powder, which is available in all grocery and food stores, is high in potent polyphenols, and the spice has been confirmed to have over 600 health benefits.

This is how to treat the pain in a completely natural and cheap way:

You should mix a tablespoon of turmeric powder, the juice of one squeezed lemon, and a cup of honey. Stir well with a wooden spoon, and add a teaspoon of this mixture to a cup of warm tea.

Drink this for three times a day, and the pain will be relieved very soon.

In this way, you can forget about Ibuprofen and all kinds of painkillers.

Furthermore, you can daily drink this remedy and enjoy all its health benefits. Turmeric is included in the recipes of numerous top chefs around the world, and its characteristic color and taste are often used in the smoothies of health gurus.

According to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, this spice is also extremely effective in the case of osteoarthritis.

This study lasted for 6 weeks and includes 109 knee osteoarthritis patients. During the study, some patients received 800 mg of Ibuprofen, while the rest were given 2,000 mg of turmeric. Also, researchers measured the level of pain during physical activities and exercise, like climbing stairs, walking, and bicycling.

In the end, patients who consumed turmeric showed far better results. The researchers confirmed that turmeric is much more effective, and far safer option to treat pain than Ibuprofen.

Hence, it is the time you turn to the safer option as well, and whenever you are advised to take these pills, substitute them with turmeric and enjoy your natural drink that will treat numerous health issues!

Unfortunately, numerous men and women suffer from colon cancer these days.

Even though studies have shown that various natural remedies can positively affect the disease and provide beneficial effects, medical experts still claim that there is not enough evidence to incorporate them in the cancer treatments.

Additionally, many studies are supported and funded by large pharmaceutical commercial enterprises and most experiments are conducted due to financial profits, rather than health.

However, a team of researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia found that coconut oil contains a lauric corrosive compound, which can destroy over 93 percent of colon cancer in just a few days! These trials were made in vitro and in vivo, and showed parallel results.

The effectiveness of the lauric corrosive is due to its ability to kill cancer cells while reducing the glutathione levels and the oxidative anxiety. It can also be found in the breast milk and has potent anti-bacterial properties.

The American Nutrition Association conducted a study which also discovered that the fats in coconut oil “can be valuable in the curing and counteractive action of conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis, viral ailments (mononucleosis, hepatitis C, herpes and so forth.), biliary tract infections, Chron’s sickness, and cancer”.

Moreover, this study found that this beneficial oil alleviates the side-effects of chemotherapy and enhances the quality of life in cancer patients.

Apparently, Nature has provided all kinds of remedies and cures to all diseases, we just need to study them and use them properly in order to enjoy their benefits.