If you have kidneys that aren't functioning properly due to end-stage renal disease and are receiving dialysis, your body is not processing nutrients normally. Following a diet specific to your condition can help. Two kinds of dialysis procedures are commonly used: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Nutrition guidelines differ, depending on the type of dialysis received.
Function
When a person requires dialysis, good nutrition is important due to the specific requirements and needs. The purpose of the dialysis diet is to help manage buildup of fluids and toxins that accumulate between dialysis treatments. If you're on dialysis, limiting foods that are high in salt and other nutrients that may cause fluid or toxin loads to increase can help reduce complications.
Dialysis Nutrition
If you're receiving dialysis, you may have a low appetite. This and a limited selection of foods to eat can put you at risk for malnourishment. Often, foods high in potassium and phosphorus must be limited. Knowing which foods to avoid or include in your diet can be complex. Having a registered dietitian help you with meeting your dietary needs can help decrease nutrition-related complications.
Calorie and Protein Needs
If you are on dialysis, it's best if you get medical nutrition therapy from a registered dietitian who can calculate your calorie and protein needs. If you're receiving peritoneal dialysis, your protein needs are slightly higher than if you receive hemodialysis due to the daily amino acid losses that occur. Calorie needs are decreased for the person receiving peritoneal dialysis due to the carbohydrate absorption that occurs during the procedure.
Benefits
There are many benefits to following a diet to meet your nutritional needs if you're receiving dialysis. By receiving medical nutrition therapy, you can increase your chance of maintaining your lean muscle mass and help prevent complications such as anorexia. Goals of providing medical nutrition therapy to people on dialysis include to "improve patient survival, reduce patient morbidity, increase efficiency of care, and improve quality of life."
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational purposes. If you have a chronic condition or disease, speak with your doctor or dietitian before following any diet advice.
References
- "Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care"; Escott-Stump, Sylvia; 2008
- Kidney Disease; A to Z Health Guide; Nutrition and Hemodialysis
