Kidney Disease can be a very complicated disease to manage. The kidneys are the organs that filter the blood to eliminate waste from the body. This waste is made up of nitrogen from protein breakdown, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, and excess glucose. According to National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, most kidney diseases attack the nephron within the filtering unit called the glomerelus. As the nephrons becomes diseased, filtration declines to a point that waste products begin to build up in the blood. It is at this point you will begin to feel the symptoms of kidney disease.
The symptoms of kidney disease are: A need to urinate more often or less often, chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, swelling in your hands or feet, you feel itchy or numb, you are drowsiness or have trouble concentrating, darkened skin, muscle cramps.
Homemade Renal Diet
Most medical therapy diets are intended to be made at home. The Renal Diet is no exception. The Renal Diet simply limits or eliminates foods from your diet what will require the excess waste products to be filtered out by the kidneys. Phosphorus, potassium, sodium, protein and water are limited in the Renal Diet.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus: NIDDK states that many foods contain phosphorus, or phosphates. One of the main culprits is dairy foods and they must be strictly limited. Some dairy foods that are "low" in phosphorus are butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, ricotta cheese, brie cheese, non-dairy whipped topping or creamer and sherbet.
Potassium
Potassium is an essential electrolyte, however is very difficult for the kidneys to eliminate when diseased. Potassium is in almost every fruit and vegetable. Some fruits and vegetables have more than others, and these should be limited or eliminated from your diet. Some examples of fruits and vegetables that are high in potassium are potatos, tomatoes pumpkin, spinach, bananas, oranges, raisins/dried fruit, prunes, cantaloupe and honeydew melons.
Water and Sodium
Sodium is another key electrolyte that helps to regulate fluid balance. Excess sodium will cause the body to hold water in order to maintain electrolyte balance. "Where salt goes so does water" should always be remembered. Restricting your salt in and limiting excess fluid intake will help to reduce the need for the kidney to filter this excess waste.
Protein
According to Medline, protein is an essential nutrient that is the key building block for muscles, body tissues, and plays a key role in almost every process within the body. Reducing your protein intake to meet only your needs is vital. Excess protein will produce higher amounts of nitrogen in the blood, which can become toxic if not removed. The recommended amount of protein needed for someone on hemodialysis is 1 g per kg bodyweight. For example, if you weigh 150lbs/ 2.2 kg per lb will make you 68 kg. With this example your recommended protein intake should be no more than 68 g of protein. If you have not been placed on hemodialysis your protein recommendations may be lower. Please consult your physician or a registered dietitian concerning your exact nutritional needs and how to best meet those needs.
Conclusion
A Renal Diet is not intended to completely replace your current diet. Diet therapy is a progressive, adaptive process that will take months to implement completely. Simple changes to your current diet to eliminate foods that will negatively affect your health are essential. Guidance should be obtained by your physician and a registered dietitian through this changing process to achieve the best results.
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