Healthy kidneys filter the blood, produce urine and maintain normal levels of minerals, proteins and fluid in the blood. When you have reduced kidney function, your kidneys need help in carrying out these tasks. A special diet for kidney support prevents minerals and fluid from building up in the blood. This type of diet also reduces the amount of work the kidneys have to do, which prevents complications from kidney disease.
Significance
When the kidneys do not work properly, several complications can occur. High potassium levels cause fatigue, abnormal heart rhythms, trouble breathing, weakness, nausea, vomiting and tingling, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Too much sodium leads to increased blood pressure and swelling of the abdomen, feet, legs and ankles. Increased phosphorus levels increase the risk for low calcium levels and hyperparathyroidism, a condition caused by an overactive parathyroid gland. A kidney support diet reduces the risk for these complications by limiting the intake of potassium, sodium and phosphorus.
Protein Intake
This diet limits the amount of protein you eat each day in order to reduce the amount of waste in the blood. When the muscles use protein for energy, they break down the protein molecules and create two waste products called blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, and creatinine. Reducing protein intake reduces the amount of BUN and creatinine produced by the body, preventing complications associated with the buildup of these substances.
Restricted Foods
The renal diet restricts a number of foods because of their mineral or protein content. People with kidney disease should learn to read food labels and understand the nutrition content of the foods they eat. Luncheon meats, cured meats, salted chips and pretzels, cheese, salted nuts, bread, canned soups, frozen entrees and canned vegetables have high levels of sodium. Fruits, dairy products and vegetables contain high amounts of potassium. The Ohio State University Medical Center explains that dried prunes, tomatoes, potatoes, orange juice, bananas, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and skim milk are high-potassium foods. Foods that contain high levels of phosphorus include cheese, milk, beef, cola drinks, peanuts, almonds and eggs.
Benefits
Closely following a diet for kidney support helps people with kidney disease feel better and alleviates some of the symptoms of the disease. These symptoms include lack of energy, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, swelling of the lower limbs, itchy skin, puffiness around the eyes and muscle cramping during the night, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Misconceptions
When some people hear the term "renal diet," they assume that the diet has the same restrictions for everyone. Because kidney disease has several stages and everyone with kidney disease has different needs, physicians and dietitians tailor the renal diet specifically for individuals. Some people do not have to restrict their fluid intake, while others have to monitor each beverage and liquid food they consume each day. Some people have different protein needs because they need hemodialysis. Hemodialysis involves removing the blood from the circulatory system, filtering it with a machine and returning it to the body via plastic tubing. Protein loss occurs during this process, so people undergoing this treatment need more protein than people who are not on hemodialysis, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients.
