Being Overweight Can Lead to Kidney Disease

Being overweight or obese presents many health problems. Some of the well known are increased risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer. One risk which may not be as well known is microalbuminuria. Studies have found that for every 4 inch increase in waist size, there is a 34 percent increased risk of microalbuminuria (where the protein albumin is found in the urine.) Microalbuminuria is the first sign of kidney disease.

The target waist size for men should be 35 inches or less and 32-1/2 inches or less for women. Waist size greater than these numbers leads to a corresponding increase in health risks.

Although the hormone estrogen is found predominantly in women, men need it too. Just not as much. Being overweight causes estrogen levels to increase. The results of this increase are all negative. When estrogen levels increase, testosterone levels are simultaneously reduced, there is a loss of muscle tone, a decreased sexual function, and sometimes even an enlarged prostate results.

Extra fat promotes inflammation. The body's immune system uses inflammation to fight disease and infection. The body looks at obesity as it does the flu, or an injury. Unchecked, inflammation leads to a breakdown in the body resulting in certain cancers, Alzheimer's Disease, and other diseases.

Return to weight loss lifestyle from overweight