Low Phosphorus, Low Calcium And Low Sodium Diets

Phosphorous, calcium and sodium are minerals found in foods and have various biological functions in your body. Certain medical conditions require that you limit the amount of one or more of these minerals in your diet. Talk with your physician about a menu plan that is right for you.

Low Phosphorous Diet

Low-phosphorous diets are recommended for people with kidney disease. Phosphorous is an essential mineral that every cell requires for normal function, including phospholipids for cellular membranes, adenosine triphosphate for energy, DNA and RNA for genetic information and calcium phosphate for bones. Foods that are good sources of phosphorous include dairy, meat, fish, legumes, nuts and whole grains. The kidneys regulate phosphorous levels in your blood. When your kidney function is impaired, you may have elevated phosphorous levels, which may reduce your calcium levels and cause bone disease. Many people on a normal diet consume over 2,000 mg of phosphorous per day, yet you should not consume more than 1,000 mg per day if you have kidney disease. Unless you are treated with dialysis, a method of filtering your blood, you should eat smaller portions of food and substitute rice milk for cow's milk and refined or processed foods for whole grains. Many food manufacturers do not always list phosphorous on product labels, so it may be best to consult a dietitian to determine an appropriate menu plan. Avoid preservatives, food additives, medications and supplements that contain phosphorous, such as calcium phosphate, disodium phosphate and mono-potassium phosphate.

Low Calcium Diet

Low-calcium diets are sometimes advised if you develop kidney stones. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body, 99 percent of which is in bones and teeth and the remaining 1 percent in blood and soft tissue. High levels of calcium in your urine increase your risk of kidney stones, hard deposits frequently composed of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. Research by Edward Matsumoto, M.D., published in the "Journal of Urology" in 2006, discovered that urinary oxalate is higher in subjects on a high calcium diet than a low calcium diet, suggesting that a high calcium diet may increase risk for calcium oxalate stone formation and a low calcium diet may reduce your risk for stones.

Low Sodium Diet

A low-sodium diet is recommended if you have high blood pressure. Sodium is a mineral found in many foods and added to meals for flavor. However, most people consume an excess of sodium, which may cause your body to retain water and increase your blood pressure. A low-sodium diet may help you to control high blood pressure and reduce swelling and water build-up throughout your body. A low-sodium diet restricts your consumption of sodium to less than 2,000 mg per day. Avoid processed foods and restaurant meals that tend to have a high content of sodium.