The Kidney Foundation Promotes Healthy Choices

by News Canada

(NC)-How you live today can make a big difference in how you'll live tomorrow. Making healthy choices early on - what you eat, how active you are, and how you cope with stress or spend your leisure time - has been proven to lower your risk of disease and illness in later years.

"Chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, which can lead to kidney disease, are on the rise and develop in many cases as a result of poor diet and lifestyle choices," says Dr. Larry Bryan, Director of Health Promotion and Wellness at The Kidney Foundation of Canada. "Today we know that by changing the way we live, we can prevent many of these conditions."

Making proper food choices is a simple way to invest in your future health. Learn more about the foods you eat and the new products available that offer more healthful alternatives. Food is one of life's pleasures - eating healthy, balanced meals will add to your enjoyment as well as ensure that you are meeting your nutritional needs. If you have dietary restrictions as a result of diabetes, cardiovascular or kidney disease, talk to your dietician about new food ideas that take into account your personal food preferences.

Becoming more active also improves both your physical health and emotional well-being. Staying physically fit gives you better control over body weight, increases your energy, helps you to sleep better, prevents bone loss and reduces stress. If you need to limit your physical activity for health reasons, talk to your healthcare team about a suitable exercise or sports program before you begin.

"Living well today means making healthy choices. It means taking charge of your health so that you can live not only longer, but also better," says Dr. Bryan. It's not easy to change a lifetime of eating habits, or to suddenly start thinking like an athlete, he admits, but when you consider the potential benefits, it's certainly worth the effort.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada, founded in 1964, funds kidney-related research, provides services for the special needs of people living with kidney disease and those at risk, advocates for access to high quality healthcare and actively promotes awareness of and commitment to organ donation.

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