15 Healthy and Convenient "Fast Foods"

For many people, “healthy fast food” is a contradiction. But according to the National Kidney Foundation, healthy, fast foods do exist, so it’s not necessary to sacrifice your health for convenience!

10 Simple Ways to Reduce Unhealthy Fat in Your Diet

There are easy ways to decrease the overall amount of fat in your diet while still consuming heart healthy fats. The key is to make these substitutions in calculated ways so that you’re able to cut back on the unhealthy, saturated and trans fats without adding more overall fat and calories to your diet.

Depression has long been associated with end stage kidney disease, but a new study published in this month's American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation, found that 20% of patients with early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) also suffered from depression

Pentoxifylline, a drug used to treat patients with circulation problems, may also benefit those with kidney disease caused by diabetes and other conditions. Specifically, pentoxifylline decreases proteinuria, the abnormal leakage of protein into the urine, according to two articles in the September issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation.

Open up your medicine cabinet at home and you're likely to find at least one type of pain medication. Often people don't realize that these same medications that help your pounding headaches disappear, reduce your fevers, and alleviate your aches and pains can have dangerous side effects including harming the kidneys. It's important to always read the label and weigh the risks and benefits before taking a particular medication.

Did you know that obesity places you at increased risk for kidney disease? It directly causes diabetes and high blood pressure, two of the leading causes of kidney disease. Indirectly, carrying extra weight forces the kidneys to work harder to filter the toxins and wastes from the body which can ultimately damage the kidneys’ filters.

If you've gone for your annual physical recently, you're staring at a report that may as well have been written in a foreign language. Which numbers are especially important in predicting kidney health — and what's in the normal range?

Surviving the holidays with healthy habits intact can be tricky for anyone, but for those with kidney disease there’s more at stake than just the number on the scale. While that one may be the most obvious, it’s important to know your other numbers – your lab targets, any dietary limits or restrictions, and your daily calorie allowance.

Kidney stones send half a million Americans to the emergency room every year, but there are ways to decrease your risk. To help you learn about symptoms, prevention tips and treatment, this month, the National Kidney Foundation answers the top 10 questions about kidney stones.

Check out our A to Z Guide for answers on many other kidney-related issues.

1. What is a kidney stone?

How many times have you been told to eat more fruits and vegetables? According to the USDA, the average person should eat approximately 1.5-2 cups of fruits per day. Fruits are an important source of fiber and antioxidants and have been shown to reduce risk of cancers and other chronic diseases. However, it is important to keep in mind that all fruits are NOT created equal!