More Americans now suffer from chronic kidney disease than they did two decades ago. The National Institutes of Health reports that increases in hypertension and diabetes, two conditions that can precipitate kidney disease and failure, have led to kidney disease in 13 percent or more of the U.S. population. Although you may not be able to prevent kidney failure through diet, your doctor likely will recommend a strict diet if you've been diagnosed with kidney disease.
Causes
Your kidneys serve as the liquid waste processing center in your body by filtering your blood, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. If they've been damaged, they can't function as well to eliminate these waste products, which can become dangerous in large quantities. Kidney disease presents no symptoms until it has progressed quite far, so it's important to be tested if you have risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Introduction to Diet
Physicians use diet as one tool to help prevent kidney failure, according to the Medical College of Wisconsin. First and foremost, your physician likely will ask you to limit what you drink. Every liquid you consume--and this includes foods that melt such as ice cream--has to pass through your kidneys. To make sure you're not overworking your kidneys, drink only when you're truly thirsty, and suck on ice cubes or chew sugarless gum instead of sipping drinks.
Protein
Reducing your protein consumption also represents a key aspect of your diet to prevent kidney failure, according to the Ohio State University Medical Center. Although you need protein to help your body repair itself, too much can cause a waste product called urea to build up in your bloodstream. You'll need to follow your physician's instructions on how much protein you can eat, but in general, you should eat no more than 6 or 7 oz. at any meal. Instead, focus on carbohydrates as your primary source of energy.
Nutrients
Your physician may also ask you to watch out for foods containing phosphorus and potassium, according to the Medical College of Wisconsin. Your kidneys remove excess amounts of both nutrients, but kidneys that aren't functioning properly can't accomplish this task. High levels of phosphorus can cause itchy skin and brittle bones, while potassium at high levels can cause a dangerous irregular heartbeat. A nutritionist can help you identify foods high in these two nutrients.
Salt
If you're seeking to prevent kidney failure through diet, you'll need to cut back--in some cases dramatically--on salt, according to Drexel University College of Medicine. Too much salt can make you thirsty, encouraging you to drink too much, and it also can raise your blood pressure, which in turn harms your kidneys. You should look for low-salt food products that contain no more than 100mg per serving of sodium, and never add salt to your food.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Chronic Kidney Disease
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: The Kidneys and How They Work
- Medical College of Wisconsin: Diet for Renal Patient
- Ohio State University Medical Center: Controlled Protein Diet
- Drexel University College of Medicine: Diet Chronic Kidney Disease
