5. Stop Drinking Alcohol
Some CKD guidelines state that people living with the disease may still consume alcohol in moderation, without increasing their risk of developing renal failure. The guidelines stipulate that the patient sticks to 14-units of alcohol a week.
However, this advice seems a bit sketchy, and we think that anyone with kidney disease should avoid consuming alcohol altogether. Alcohol is harsh on your kidneys and liver and gives them more work to do to filter out the toxins, such as the sulfites found in red wine.
Alcohol causes numerous chemical reactions in the body and increases urination. Both of these factors make drinking undesirable for people who are living with CKD.
If you currently drink heavily, then speak to your doctor about treatments to reduce your intake and eventually quit drinking. Alcoholics are at risk of developing CKD and liver disease as well, so – know when it’s time to stop drinking, it could save your life.