Lessons of Empathy leadership from Nobody's boy and a Little Princess : (h) Kidney Failure and the Impact of Oily Foods, Sweet Foods, Smoking, and Alcohol 19 10 25

Kidney failure, also called renal failure, occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood. This leads to toxin buildup, swelling, and other organ complications. The causes of kidney failure are often linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices, particularly the excessive consumption of oily cakes, sweet foods, smoking, and alcohol — all of which damage the kidneys either directly or indirectly through conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

1. Oily Foods and Kidney Damage

Oily foods such as fried snacks, cakes, and pastries are typically high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.

Over time, these lead to:

Obesity – which increases strain on the kidneys.
Atherosclerosis – fatty deposits clog blood vessels, including those that supply the kidneys.
High blood pressure (hypertension) – the leading cause of kidney damage worldwide (WHO, 2023).

When the small blood vessels in the kidneys (nephrons) are damaged, they can no longer filter blood effectively, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Example: Regular consumption of oily cakes and fast foods causes cholesterol buildup and hypertension, slowly impairing kidney function.

2. Sweet Foods and Diabetes-Related Kidney Disease

Excessive intake of sweet foods (cakes, pastries, sugary drinks, sweets) leads to:

High blood sugar levels, causing Type 2 diabetes.
Persistent high glucose damages the tiny filtering units (glomeruli) in the kidneys — a condition known as diabetic nephropathy.
Over time, these filters scar and fail, resulting in chronic kidney failure (National Kidney Foundation, 2022).

Sweet foods also increase triglycerides and body fat, which worsen insulin resistance and kidney stress.

3. Alcohol and Kidney Damage

Alcohol affects the kidneys in multiple harmful ways:

Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, causing frequent urination and fluid loss, making the kidneys work harder.
High blood pressure: Chronic drinking raises blood pressure, a major risk factor for kidney disease.
Liver damage connection: When the liver is affected by alcohol, toxins accumulate, forcing kidneys to overwork to eliminate them.
Inflammation: Alcohol can directly inflame kidney tissue (nephritis).

In the long term, heavy drinking increases the risk of both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease (Rehm et al., 2020).

4. Smoking and Kidney Disease

Smoking is highly toxic to the kidneys.

It:

Narrows and hardens blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the kidneys.
Increases blood pressure and heart rate, further straining the kidneys.
In diabetic individuals, smoking accelerates kidney failure.
Contains harmful chemicals (like nicotine and carbon monoxide) that directly injure kidney tissues (CDC, 2023).

Smokers are up to twice as likely to develop chronic kidney disease compared to non-smokers (WHO, 2023).

5. Combined Effect: The Dangerous Lifestyle Cycle

When oily foods, sweets, alcohol, and smoking are combined, they create a chain reaction of health problems leading to kidney failure:

Risk Factor	Intermediate Effect	Resulting Kidney Impact
Oily foods	High cholesterol, obesity	Reduced kidney blood flow
Sweet foods	Diabetes, high blood sugar	Glomerular damage (diabetic nephropathy)
Alcohol	High BP, dehydration, toxin buildup	Kidney inflammation and scarring
Smoking	Artery narrowing, toxin exposure	Reduced filtration, accelerated failure

This combination is especially dangerous because it triggers both vascular (blood vessel) and metabolic (sugar and fat) stress on the kidneys.

6. Consequences of Kidney Failure

Toxin accumulation → fatigue, nausea, confusion.
Fluid retention → swelling in legs, hands, and face.
High blood pressure → worsens kidney and heart damage.
Bone and nerve problems → due to imbalanced minerals.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) → dialysis or kidney transplant required.

Kidney failure is often silent in its early stages, meaning prevention is far more effective than treatment.

7. Prevention and Healthy Practices

Reduce oily and sugary foods: Choose steamed, baked, or boiled foods instead of fried snacks and cakes.
Avoid alcohol and smoking: Both severely strain the kidneys and other vital organs.
Control blood sugar and pressure: Through diet, medication, and regular monitoring.
Hydrate properly: Drink adequate water daily to assist kidney filtration.
Exercise regularly: Improves circulation and metabolic balance.

8. Conclusion

Kidney failure in adults is increasingly linked to lifestyle factors rather than age alone. Regular consumption of oily cakes, sugary foods, alcohol, and cigarettes causes a progressive chain of damage — from obesity and diabetes to hypertension and kidney scarring.

Preventing kidney failure requires early lifestyle intervention, with education focused on healthy eating, avoiding harmful substances, and regular health screening.

References (Harvard Style)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Smoking and Chronic Kidney Disease. Atlanta: CDC.
National Kidney Foundation. (2022). Diabetes and Kidney Disease (Diabetic Nephropathy). New York: NKF.
Rehm, J., et al. (2020). Alcohol consumption and health outcomes: global evidence and policy implications. The Lancet Public Health, 5(7), e387–e396.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Chronic Kidney Disease and Global Health Report. Geneva: WHO.