As late as 2007, more than 500,000 Americans suffered from kidney disease. Free radical damage and high phosphorus and ammonia levels in your diet contribute to poor kidney health, but you can reduce your risk factors and support healthy kidney function through better food choices. Not surprisingly, most of the best foods for kidney health come from the produce section of your grocery store.
Fruits
Colorful and luscious fresh fruits, specifically, berries, cherries, grapes and watermelon offer a nutritional boost to your kidneys because of their high antioxidant content. As free radicals molecules circulate in the bloodstream and filter down to the kidney, they attack healthy tissue and kill off cells. Antioxidants contained in these fruits neutralize free radicals and prevent them from harming the body. Once these fruits have been harvested, their antioxidant content begins to drop, so buy locally if you can.
Vegetables
Just about all fresh vegetables benefit your kidneys, and Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing," recommends a diet of mostly raw foods. With their low phosphorus content, red bell peppers, cabbage, cauliflower and onions place less demand on your kidneys as they're digested, so load up on these. If you like spinach, beet greens and Swiss chard, try eating these in moderation due to their high levels of vitamin A, which can cause kidney stones.
Proteins
Red meats slow down the digestive process and create high levels of ammonia and phosphorus in your kidneys. Better choices for protein selections include egg whites, soy and fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna. If you simply miss the taste of a good hamburger, check out the freezer section of your grocery store. You'll find a variety of soy burgers that taste much the same as your usual hamburger. Also consider other protein sources, such as beans, lentils, peas and whole grains.
Healthy Fats
Olive oil, whether regular or extra-virgin, provides healthy monounsaturated fat alternatives to the artery-clogging saturated fat contained in butter and margarine. Replace your usual salad dressings with olive oil, vinegar and some dried herbs and you help reduce inflammation not only in the kidneys but also in the rest of your body. If you prefer a lighter, less fruity taste, canola oil carries the same benefits as olive oil.
Yogurt
Because of the live bacterial cultures contained in yogurt, it is already partially digested. Since yogurt's calcium is already partially broken down, it isn't as likely to accumulate in the kidneys and lead to kidney stones.
References
- Davita: Top 15 Healthy Foods for People With Kidney Disease
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Kidney and Urologic Disease Statistics
- "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
