5 Benefits of Reducing Sugar Intake for Kidneys

 5 Benefits of Reducing Sugar Intake for Kidneys

Reducing sugar helps control weight, blood pressure, and maintain good kidney health, which helps prevent kidney diseases.

Nepalese people start their day with tea with sugar. Tea, coffee, sauces, biscuits, and sweets all contain sugar. According to the World Health Organization, the average person should not consume more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day, 25 grams, but many Nepalese consume more than this, which causes health problems. Eating too much sugar not only increases weight but also worsens kidney health. If you reduce your sugar intake, you can prevent kidney diseases and maintain good kidney health.

A study published in the journal JAMA Network Open analyzed data from 127,830 adults. It was found that those who consumed more than one glass of sugary drinks such as Coke, Fanta, or other sugar-sweetened beverages a day had a 19 percent higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease. This study also showed that those who replaced these sweet drinks with water or natural juices had a 7 to 10 percent lower risk of chronic kidney disease.

1. Blood pressure does not increase and kidney blood vessels remain healthy

Eating too much sugar increases obesity quickly, gaining weight increases blood pressure, and high blood pressure has a negative impact on kidney blood vessels. Reducing sugar helps control weight and blood pressure. In the Global Burden of Disease study, high sugar intake was found to increase high blood pressure and body mass index, which contributes to 93.8 percent of deaths from chronic kidney disease.

2. Blood pressure is controlled and there is no pressure on the kidneys

The kidneys filter the blood and remove toxins from the body. Eating too much sugar increases glucose levels. High blood pressure and high blood sugar over time damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. This is why high sugar can lead to kidney failure. When blood sugar is more than 180 mg/dl, the kidneys spill sugar into the urine, which damages the kidneys. Reducing the amount of sugar does not put too much pressure on the kidneys and keeps the kidneys healthy.

3. Protects against the effects of fatty liver

People who eat a lot of refined sugar gain weight quickly and have fatty liver problems. If there is fatty liver, the kidneys are also affected. In a study related to non-alcoholic fatty liver, it has been concluded that high sugar intake causes non-alcoholic fatty liver. Reducing sugary drinks or sugar maintains good metabolic health and does not worsen kidney health. In the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, it is mentioned that high added sugar increases non-alcoholic fatty liver and this promotes kidney damage.

4. Reduces the risk of kidney stones

Uric acid levels may increase in people who eat a lot of sugar. High uric acid increases the risk of kidney stones. Added sugar increases the risk of kidney stones. Reducing sugar can help control uric acid and reduce the risk of kidney stones. Sugar can increase calcium in the urine and reduce fluid intake for kidney stones.

5. Reduces kidney risk factors

The two biggest risk factors for kidney damage are inflammation and obesity. Reducing sugar can reduce both inflammation and obesity. Inflammation impairs kidney health, and obesity causes the kidneys to filter more blood, which increases pressure. The Canadian Medical Association Journal states that high sugar can increase inflammation and increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. Reducing sugar can control both obesity and inflammation. In Frontiers in Immunology, added sugar was found to increase chronic inflammation and lead to obesity.

Lungs: What they are, how they work?

 Lungs: What they are, how they work?

Damage to the lungs from minor infections or injuries can heal on their own, but damage from smoking, pollution, or chronic diseases can be permanent.

The lungs are the main part of our respiratory system and work to deliver oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide.

How many times do you breathe in a minute? In seconds? Have you ever counted? How long can you live without taking a breath? Have you ever wondered about this?

Because breathing in and out is an automatic process, for which you do not have to make any extra effort. But, what happens if that breath suddenly stops? You certainly have the answer.

Not only is it essential for life, but the lungs play a major role in taking in and releasing oxygen, which is needed every moment.

The lungs, which are soft, sponge-like structures inside the chest, supply the body with oxygen and energy and remove toxic carbon dioxide.

What role do the lungs play in the continuous process from taking in oxygen to taking out carbon dioxide? Why are two lungs necessary? How much damage does smoking cause?

What is the function of the lungs and what is their structure?

The lungs are the main organs of our respiratory system. They are made of soft, flexible tissue like a sponge and are located inside the chest around the heart. The lungs have a thin membrane on the outside that protects them. They are divided into two parts: the right lung has three parts: ‘upper, middle and lower’. The left lung has two parts: ‘upper and lower’. The left lung is slightly smaller because the heart occupies more space on the left.

The respiratory system begins with the nose or mouth. Air enters the trachea through the throat. It is then divided into two parts. The air we inhale enters the right and left lungs separately. After reaching the lungs, the bronchi divide 23 times like the branches of a tree, reaching the smallest tubes and ending at the ‘alveoli’ (air sacs).

The alveoli are thin membranous tissues like grape clusters, around which the blood vessels coming from the heart are spread like a spider web. An adult has 300 million to 600 million alveoli.

If the lungs are fully expanded, their surface area is 70-100 square meters, the size of a tennis court. The lung weighs 1 to 1.2 kilograms. The right one is slightly larger and heavier. The lung is the only organ in the body that can float in water, because it is always full of air. Even after breathing out completely, about 1 liter of air remains in it.

What is its main function?

The main function of the lungs is to supply oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide, which is called gas exchange. This is possible due to the thin membrane between the alveoli and the blood vessels.

Oxygen is absorbed from the air coming from outside and enters the circulatory system and reaches various cells of the body to provide energy. Similarly, carbon dioxide, a toxic gas produced by the body's organs, enters the alveoli through the blood vessels and is released when we exhale. This process continues continuously. The lungs also filter the air, which protects the body from infection.

It produces phlegm, which traps dust, germs, and pollutants and expels them when we cough them up. We breathe 8,000 to 9,000 liters of air every day, but the body uses only 5 percent of the oxygen from this air. The lungs are closely connected to the heart, so heart problems can also affect the lungs.

Why do humans have two lungs? What happens if one lung fails?

The main reason for having two lungs is for the body’s balance and safety. Both lungs work separately but support each other. If one lung develops a problem, such as cancer or infection, the other one takes over, which can help save lives. This makes it easier for the heart and other organs to function together.

Even if one lung is completely removed, a person can still survive, but not at full capacity. The failed lung can cause problems such as infection, blistering, or bleeding, and the infection can spread to the other lung because there is no barrier between the two.

Pollution or other external factors affect both equally, but some diseases can affect only one side. If a failed lung causes a lot of problems, it may need to be surgically removed.

How do the lungs take in and expel air?

The process of taking in air is called respiration, which consists of two stages – ‘inhalation’, which is the process of drawing air in, and ‘exhalation’, which is the process of expelling air out. This process is controlled by the brain and occurs 12-20 times per minute.

During inhalation, air from the nose or mouth passes through the throat, trachea, bronchi, and small tubes in the lungs, and then reaches the alveoli. The diaphragm muscle moves down, increasing the space in the chest, which draws air in. About half a liter of air is taken in with each breath.

During exhalation, the diaphragm moves up, the chest narrows, and air is expelled from the lungs. This process is also called ventilation. It is affected in chronic lung diseases, which are called respiratory failure. Sudden problems such as food getting stuck in the airway or tumors can also affect it.

Is there a chance of recovery if the lungs are damaged? How does smoking affect this?

The likelihood of lung damage depends on the type and extent of damage. The lungs have some ability to regenerate. They can heal themselves from minor infections or injuries, such as damage from the flu or pneumonia, which can be treated and cured with time and rest. However, serious damage caused by smoking, pollution, or chronic diseases such as COPD, fibrosis, or cancer can be permanent and may not fully recover. In such cases, medical treatment, medication, or surgery may be necessary.

Smoking is harmful to the lungs. It damages the fine hairs and membranes of the airways, which makes it easier for dust, smoke, or viruses to enter the lungs. This increases the risk of pneumonia or other infections. Smokers' lungs become black/brown, inflamed, and damaged. However, quitting smoking has a positive effect on the lungs. The lungs have various defense mechanisms, such as nasal hairs, which are damaged by smoking but largely repaired after quitting.

Although not completely restored, the risk of infection is reduced and health improves. Quitting smoking is beneficial at any age, even up to 90 years. A healthy lifestyle, exercise, and avoiding pollution increase the chances of recovery, but this depends on individual health. If there is a problem, it is best to consult a doctor.

What are the main problems that occur in the lungs? And how to maintain lung health?

Immediate problems in the lungs such as colds, coughs, nasal congestion, sore throat, fever, chest pain, and problems with the airways that cause coughing or wheezing. In the long term, pneumonia, lung infections, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer are the main ones. Lung infections, asthma, and cancer are more common in Nepal. As diseases like asthma increase, lung capacity decreases, which affects daily life.

Lung health depends on daily air quality, diet and lifestyle. Healthy lungs are pink in color. To keep them healthy, you should quit smoking completely, exercise regularly, which increases lung capacity.

Wear a mask to avoid pollution, breathe clean air, eat a balanced diet and drink enough water. If you have difficulty breathing, cough or chest pain, you should immediately get checked by a doctor. Since the lungs are connected to the heart and other organs, it is necessary to pay attention to overall health.

What is sodium? Both too little and too much are harmful

 What is sodium? Both too little and too much are harmful

To control sodium, try to consume less than 2 grams of salt per day, which is about a teaspoon.

What is sodium? Both too little and too much are harmful

Sodium is a part of salt and is necessary for the normal functioning of the body's cells, nerves, muscles, and heart.

Consuming more than 2 grams of sodium per day can cause high blood pressure and long-term heart problems.

The salt we eat daily is not only related to the taste of our food, but also to the balance of the body, heart health, and quality of life. Both conditions of sodium deficiency and excess can cause serious health problems.

A conversation with cardiologist Dr. Rajendra Koju on what sodium is, why the body needs it, how much is safe, and what risks arise when it is too much:

What is sodium and why is it needed by the body?

Sodium is the scientific name. In simple terms, it is a part of salt. It is a mineral element. We eat it every day and it is one of the most important minerals for our body.

Without sodium, the body's cells, nerves, muscles and heart cannot function normally. It is essential for water balance, blood pressure, signal transmission and muscle function. But too much sodium can cause high blood pressure and heart problems, so it is important to keep it in the right amount.

What happens in the body when there is a lack of sodium?

Sodium keeps our body in good balance. It is found in the blood, muscles, cells and other parts of the body. Most of it is in the blood. Without this mineral, cells cannot function. Muscles, the heart and the brain all need it. If it is less than the required amount, it has a negative effect on the body.

Due to its deficiency, muscles cannot function, the nervous system is affected, and problems occur in the heart and other organs. This is called hyponatremia. It must be kept in the required amount. About 500 milligrams of sodium is needed every day, but it is recommended that the amount of salt should not exceed 2.3 grams. This 2.3 grams is not even equal to a teaspoon.

Is sodium only in salt or is it also found in other foods?

Foods like green vegetables, fruits, milk, yogurt, cheese, fish, meat, and eggs contain sodium even if they are not salted, but the amount is less.

It is difficult to say exactly how much salt to eat daily, but it can be estimated in these ways. The World Health Organization recommends less than 2 grams of sodium per day for adults. This is approximately the same as a teaspoon of salt.

Sodium is found not only in salt, but also in foods added to food and vegetables. The added sodium should not exceed 2.3 grams. A teaspoon can be used when measuring. For example, a teaspoon of salt is enough to cook vegetables for four people. Generally, it is okay to eat only one teaspoon of salt per day.

What happens when you have too much sodium?

Too much sodium has various negative effects on the body. Because sodium attracts water. When there is too much sodium, the body retains water, blood volume increases, and pressure in the blood vessels increases. The biggest problem caused by this is high blood pressure, which causes long-term damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, etc.

What are the symptoms of sodium deficiency or excess?

When there is a deficiency (hyponatremia) or excess (hypernatremia) of sodium, various symptoms appear in the body, which are mainly due to the effects on the brain and nervous system.

Sodium deficiency occurs when the blood sodium level is 135 milliequivalents per liter.

The main symptoms are headache, nausea or vomiting, fatigue or weakness, muscle weakness, cramps, confusion or dizziness, irritability or low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, or a person may go into a coma.

When sodium is high, ‘sodium 145 milliequivalents per liter in the blood’

When sodium is high, problems such as excessive thirst, feeling tired or lethargic, dizziness or confusion, irritability, muscle twitching or cramps, dry mouth and skin, and rapid heartbeat may occur.

You can predict these symptoms at home. If you experience problems such as headache, fatigue, confusion, cramps, or fainting, you should go to the doctor immediately. These symptoms can also be associated with other diseases. But the most accurate and reliable way is to check the amount of sodium in the blood by doing a blood test.

How does sodium affect heart health?

Excess sodium affects the heart in two main ways. First, it causes high blood pressure and puts extra pressure on the heart and blood vessels. Second, as blood volume increases, the heart has to pump more blood, which can cause the muscle in the left lower chamber of the heart (ventricle) to thicken or enlarge, a condition called ‘left ventricular hypertrophy’, or increase the risk of heart failure.

In addition, excess sodium activates the sympathetic nervous system, weakens the inner lining of blood vessels, and increases inflammation, which further damages the heart and blood vessels. The effects are more severe in people with high blood pressure or heart disease, as it increases the accumulation of excess fluid in the body, putting an additional burden on the heart.

How to control sodium?

-To control sodium, try to keep your daily intake below 2 grams, which is about 5 grams of salt per day.

-You should cook more fresh food at home. Processed/packaged foods such as chips, noodles, sausages, bread, soy sauce, etc. should be reduced as much as possible. Salt should be kept to a minimum while cooking and eating.

-You should check the sodium content of packaged foods by looking at the label and choose low-sodium options.

-You should eat more potassium-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and yogurt. This reduces the negative effects of sodium.

5 ways to get over the pain of a breakup

 5 ways to get over the pain of a breakup

Due to the busyness of the festive season in mid-December, many people reconsider their 'pair' and break up, and December 11 is celebrated as Breakup Day.

After a breakup, it is recommended to make a fixed schedule to improve mental health, exercise at least 20 minutes a day, and eat healthy foods.

Experts have said that a breakup should be considered an opportunity to find the purpose of life and move forward by finalizing the relationship.

According to experts, many breakups happen in mid-December. It is said that many people reconsider their 'pair' during the festive season because they are busy with work, parties, meeting friends, and family gatherings. That is why Breakup Day is celebrated on December 11.

However, breakups do not always happen in the winter season. It can happen anytime.

Ways to get over a breakup

1. Make and follow a fixed schedule

After a breakup, many people feel like their whole world has fallen apart. You may have felt the same way. 'There is no future now. You may think, 'I have no one'. But the way to avoid it is to make a specific schedule and follow it literally. By doing this, you will not be able to sit in silence and suffer. Especially, you can make a schedule full of healthy and satisfying activities.

2. Keep your body moving

You know that any exercise is beneficial for the body. Exercise is also good for mental health. Because mental health is seriously affected after a breakup. To avoid that, moving your body for at least 20 minutes every day can help improve your sleep. Because many people cannot sleep after a breakup due to anxiety. You can keep your body moving by walking, lifting weights, stretching, or working out.

3. Eat healthy food

Breaking up with the person you thought you would spend your life with is like mourning a death. Because of this, some may not be able to eat, not eat at all, or feel nauseous even after eating a bite. But in this case, you should try to eat clean and fresh food. Because healthy and nutritious foods provide positive energy to the body.

4. Finding the purpose of life

A breakup is definitely a moment of sadness. It feels like you have lost everything. But if you find your interests, aspirations, and goals at this time, you can easily 'move on'. Because a breakup is also a great opportunity to reconnect with yourself or redefine your goals.

5. Making a decision on your part

It is unlikely that you will 'return' to the relationship after a breakup. Which also means the end of the relationship. You need to make this decision properly, so that you can move forward easily. However, it is not always an easy situation. Many people live with anger, hurt, and regret after a breakup. It does nothing but bring bad results. Therefore, accept the situation as it is. In such a situation, do not think about what went wrong. Instead, you should move forward with a good memory.

How did mega concerts and tours become a money-printing machine?

 How did mega concerts and tours become a money-printing machine?

Taylor Swift's 'The Era' mega concert has grossed over $2 billion in two years, performing in 189 venues.

K-pop artists have adopted new strategies to connect with fans and make concert tours successful by using social media and technology.

As album sales have declined due to the development of digital technology, artists have made concert tours their main source of income.

Taylor Swift's mega concert 'The Era' ended in December 2024. A mega concert is a concert held in multiple venues under one banner. Taylor performed in 189 venues around the world for two years.

The tour also became the highest-grossing music event of all time. During that period, the tour grossed over $2 billion. No previous mega tour had grossed even half of that.

Nine months later, pop band Coldplay wrapped up their ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour. Coldplay’s mega tour grossed over $1.5 billion.

This raises the question of how music’s mega concerts and tours are becoming a platform for generating more revenue.

Large fan base

How do musicians grow their fan base? How do they keep their fan base growing? We can look to K-pop artists to understand this.

K-pop is a blend of Korean and Western music styles. Their melodies and lyrics have energetic and swinging beats. And with that, dancing is also included. Not only that, K-pop artists are using social media and technology to connect with their fans.

Regarding their success, Kevin Kim, Asia head of Seoul-based music distribution company Root Notes, says, “One of the big differences between Western artists and Korean artists is that Korean K-pop artists are always online. They have a strong presence on YouTube. Many artists also chat directly with their fans through the ‘Bubble’ app.”

‘Bubble’ is a South Korean social networking platform. Through it, fans can communicate directly with their music stars.

Similarly, through the same app, K-pop artists also know how many fans they have. And, based on that, they plan their concert tours.

K-pop fans are also very emotional about the artists. Because some fans travel to distant cities and even other countries just to see an artist’s concert.

Concerts are often a new experience for K-pop fans. At the concert, fans carry a ‘light stick’, the color of which indicates which region they are from. Also, the organizers of the concert control the light of the light stick during the event. So that its color changes with different melodies of the music.

According to Kevin Kim, the light stick is made of very advanced technology. This makes the musical atmosphere at the concert different.

This makes the concert experience for fans very ‘dynamic’. They feel like they are part of the music. However, K-pop artists sell not only light sticks, but also other goods.

‘Korean artists sell many things such as posters, T-shirts and key chains with their pictures. T-shirts and key chains with new pictures are made and released for each concert,’ says Kevin Kim, ‘Their fans buy these things with great interest. And, collect them.’

These strategies have made concert tours more profitable than ever. But, the question arises, how was such a huge success possible? How did the old ways of making money by selling albums or CDs change?

Digital change

According to Serona Elton, a professor at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in the US, pop music bands used to use concert tours to promote their new music albums or CDs. However, now these music bands are making a direct profit from concert tours.

According to her, one of the main reasons for this is the change in digital technology in the last 20 years. Earlier, people used to go to music stores to buy an artist's album. However, now their songs can be easily downloaded from the Internet.

'Earlier, young people used to buy most music records or CDs. Now they use digital technology. This has changed the equation of the music industry, says Serena Elton, “When artists saw their music record sales gradually decreasing, they also started to make money through concert tours.”

During such concert tours, the internet streaming of artists’ music also increases. Because as soon as the concert is announced, fans start buying albums online. Although it does not benefit much. The main focus of artists is to perform grand concerts and sell all the tickets as much as possible. Again, to perform a grandiose concert requires a corresponding investment.

The grandeur of the concert

Often, such concerts are held in huge stadiums, where thousands of fans come. Fans sitting two or three rows behind the stage do not see the artists performing on the stage clearly. In such a case, large video screens must be installed in the stadium. So that the artists can be seen clearly and up close.

Similarly, the light and sound are also of the same level. And the same time and manpower are required to build the stage, dismantle it and move it to a new place. That's why it is essential to make a profit when doing such a big mega concert.

Social media also plays an equal role in making a concert tour successful. Usually, when performing at any place, the ratio of fans and purchasing power are considered a lot.

The economics of the tour

According to Adam Behr, head of the music department at Newcastle University in the UK, the work of pop music artists was not like it is now. They used to go to the studio. They would record an album. Then they would start promoting it. Music labels would help organize the tour. But in the digital age, this equation has changed.

'There is no limit to the online streaming of albums. But tickets for tour concerts are limited. The fun of live music is different. It makes the experience special,' says Adam Behr, 'that's why tour concerts are a hugely profitable business.'

According to Poppy Reid, music journalist and founder of Sydney-based 'Curious Media', concert tours are not for all artists. Only artists with millions of fans can do such a concert.

According to him, even if there is money in this business, the profit margin is low. Because the investment is high. However, it is not enough for the organizers of such mega concerts. The local community is also benefiting equally.

Because the number of days these artists stay in a city, they stay with great enthusiasm. That is why some governments appeal to bands like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Coldplay to come to their cities.

The then Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, President of Brazil, Lula, and the heads of state of Chile and Thailand had requested Taylor Swift to tour their countries. This shows how important this mega tour is economically.

In the case of some artists, they earn income even after the mega concert. Taylor is an example of this. Taylor made a 6-part documentary in collaboration with Disney Plus on her ‘The Era’ tour.

According to Poppy Reed, organizing such tours involves huge expenses, which artists have no choice but to recover and make a profit. However, the bigger the concert, the more money it brings in. On the other hand, fans themselves believe that this is the reason why mega tours are so successful.