How to Reduce Blood Urea? Know the Important Details

Has your doctor recently informed you about high blood urea levels?

If yes, the reason could be any of the following: overusing painkillers, eating diets high in sodium or salt, often skipping drinking water, or missing out on sleep.

Consequently, the need for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) testing arose due to symptoms such as vomiting, fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite, or restlessness in limbs. It may indicate high levels of urea in the body.

Additionally, factors such as inherited conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease may put you at a higher risk for getting a BUN test done. 

Transporting memories back to when the global pandemic wreaked havoc on humanity, most people prioritized fitness and a healthy lifestyle. In the modern world, protecting internal organs like kidneys is as crucial as lifting weights in the gym to build biceps. Thus, keep track of your urea and creatinine levels to ensure your kidneys function effectively.

Today’s blog is curated to help you reduce blood urea levels. It is followed by some frequently asked questions and more to bring them back to normal levels.

Brief Introduction to Urea 

Urea and creatinine are waste products transported through your blood to your kidney and filtered into the urine. Urea nitrogen is formed in the liver through protein breakdown in the foods you eat. Urea nitrogen levels are one of the markers that help a doctor learn how well your kidneys are working.

Too much urea nitrogen is not good and means your kidneys are not filtering it properly. It indicates an affected health condition, such as kidney disease, liver damage, or heart failure. Uremia is a serious medical condition that causes urine to accumulate in the blood. 

Did you know?

Age and high-protein diets may cause abnormally high urea levels.

7 Best Helpful Tips to Reduce Blood Urea Levels

If you are struggling with high creatinine and urea, below are some effective ways to help you reduce blood urea levels: 

1. Reduce Protein Intake

The main cause of high urea levels is the high-protein diet. Hence, you should avoid consuming chicken, fish, red meat, burgers, or cottage cheese. It may lead to other metabolic complications. 

Switch to a diet containing more fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, and less or no animal protein. This may lower acid in the body and promote kidney health.

Additionally, indulge in low-intensity exercises such as yoga and breathing to reduce stress and increase muscle strength and endurance.

2. Eat More Fiber. 

Eating more fiber-rich foods can benefit you. They improve intestinal microbiota composition and inflammation. Fiber is an essential nutrient that helps improve digestion and keeps your gut healthy. Incorporating fiber in the kidney diet can be beneficial in the form of beets, legumes, berries, Brussels sprouts, okra, green beans, and high-fiber white bread. This can balance out creatinine and urea levels, control blood sugar and cholesterol, and promote regularity of bowel movements.

Did you know?

According to the Food and Nutrition Board, the ideal daily fiber intake for women is 25 grams, and for men, it is 38 grams.

Nonetheless, to avoid complications, consult your doctor before following a fiber diet, mainly when you are on a low-potassium, low-phosphorus plan.

3. Stay Hydrated

Not drinking adequate water leads to dehydration, raising urea levels. Thus, you have one more reason to increase your water intake to flush out toxins and waste products from the body, including excess urea.

3 Appealing Ways to Drink Water: 

1. Flavor your water: To help you drink more, add a handful of mint or a slice of lemon or cucumber.
2. Herbal teas: Besides water, you can drink herbal teas and enjoy the simplicity of a single herb.
3. Try a combination of fruit juices, such as cranberry, carrot, and beet juice, to enhance taste and reduce blood urea.

Also, consult your healthcare provider or kidney specialist about how to stay hydrated. 

4. Reduce Salt Consumption

High-salt diets are harmful for heart health and can worsen kidney function, including excess protein and fluid in the urine. 

If you have kidney disease, avoid foods containing high amounts of salt such as dark-colored soda, canned foods, fried foods, processed meats, bananas, and dried fruits. 

The main role of the kidneys is to filter blood, produce hormones, eliminate waste through urine, balance minerals, and maintain fluid balance. Avoiding or limiting certain foods can help decrease the accumulation of waste products, improve kidney function, and prevent further damage. 

5. Avoid Alcohol & Smoking. 

Not a secret anymore, alcohol consumption and smoking are bad for your health. Hence, to manage your creatinine and urea levels, reduce your consumption of alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Else, it may bring a significant increase in the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). 

Although some studies reveal that prolonged drinking does not affect creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, rather, it reduces blood urea levels and can lead to kidney problems. On the other hand, smokers also present a decrease in urea levels and creatinine plasma levels. 

Contact your healthcare provider for the right guidance. Quitting these two can help reduce the risk of 

6. Avoid Additional Creatinine. 

Avoid supplements with creatinine to prevent serious side effects, such as kidney damage. Creatinine is naturally formed in the liver and transported to muscles for use as energy. Protein is a rich source of creatinine and is generally safe. Too many creatinine supplements, such as over-the-counter painkillers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sports drinks, or another form, can elevate their levels. This can lead to impaired kidney function and other side effects to watch out for.

7. Avoid Heavy Exercises 

You may be surprised to know that exercising, especially heavy lifting, can cause an increase in plasma during exercise. High-intensity exercises are considered biomarkers for muscle and kidney disease. 

Outlook 

Following these tips will help naturally lower your high urea levels. In a world where people are striving to get fit and healthy, it is imperative to keep kidney health safe and highly protected. 

It is vital to identify symptoms. High blood urea can be caused by several factors such as kidney damage or dehydration.

Seek medical attention immediately if you have high blood urea levels or are experiencing suspicious symptoms. He will examine your health and suggest a personalized management plan, including medications, lifestyle changes, and dietary adjustments. 

Hence, with proper treatment and management, high blood urea levels can be successfully reduced without any significant health issues. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What foods can help me reduce urea levels in the body?

Carrots, potatoes, Chinese cabbage, cinnamon, lemon, and red bell peppers are among the foods that can help reduce urea levels in the body. 

2. Can I eat watermelon to reduce increased blood urea levels?

Yes, you can eat watermelon to reduce increased blood urea levels. Its high water content makes it a hydrating food, and it aids in flushing out toxins from the body.

3. What foods should be avoided with high blood urea levels?

Avoid pickles, olives, avocados, canned foods, whole wheat bread, brown rice, oranges and orange juice, and dark-colored soda. Diet modifications certainly help reduce urea levels and improve kidney health.