The kidneys play a vital role in maintaining health, as they remove waste products and drugs from the body, balance the body's fluids, release hormones that regulate blood pressure, produce a form of vitamin D that keeps the bones strong and control the production of red blood cells. Given all that the kidneys do, kidney disease can be serious and life threatening. Some forms of kidney disease are inherited or due to abnormalities that cannot be prevented. However, other forms of kidney disease are caused by diseases that can be controlled with diet.
Step 1
Eat a diet low in salt. Too much salt, or sodium, in the diet can contribute to the development of kidney stones, warns the National Kidney Foundation. Kidney stones occur when chemicals in the urine crystallize and form a hard mass; sometimes the stones can cause serious blockages. A high sodium diet may cause calcium to be lost through the urine, which can lead to the formation of stones. In general, it is important to keep sodium intake at 2,300 milligrams or less per day, which is equivalent to a teaspoon of table salt. However, different kinds of kidney stones exist, and not all are treated with a low sodium diet. If kidney stones occur, a registered dietitian can help formulate a meal plan based on personal health and the type of stones that are occurring.
Step 2
Control carbohydrate intake to keep blood sugar levels in check. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. While the exact mechanisms are still not well understood, high levels of blood glucose over time damage the kidneys. To help control blood sugar levels, it is important to watch carb intake and to eat the right kinds of carbs. Avoid white breads, potatoes, baked goods, and refined and processed grains. These types of carbs are digested quickly and cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Instead, eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains to get the recommend amount of carbs. These are healthier carbs that are digested slowly and keep blood sugar levels in check. Given the serious nature of diabetes and kidney disease, a medical professional can advise on how much of the daily diet should come from carbohydrates.
Step 3
Watch your fat and cholesterol intake. High blood pressure and heart disease are other common causes of kidney disease. To manage both, it is important to watch salt, fat and cholesterol intake. The National Kidney Disease Education Program suggests keeping blood pressure readings below 130/80 mmHg. In addition, the daily diet should contain no more than 300 mg of cholesterol, and this number may need to be lower based on other risk factors that are present. Fat intake should be limited to no more than 30 percent of total daily caloric intake, with no more than 7 percent of that from saturated fats and less than 1 percent from trans fats.
Step 4
Maintain a healthy weight or lose excess pounds. A paper published by the "Journal of the American Society of Nephrology" in 2004 recommends managing obesity as a way to reduce the risk of kidney disease. Obesity is linked to a condition called metabolic syndrome, which is diagnosed when risk factors such as being overweight, high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure coexist, all of which place a strain on the kidneys and can lead to kidney disease. The goal is to eat a diet that includes a wide variety of foods, with just enough calories to maintain a healthy weight. If carrying extra weight, aim to lose one to two pounds per week by cutting 500 to 1,000 calories from the daily diet, or exercising to burn that many calories off.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure the diet is well balanced and includes foods from all of the food groups to help meet daily nutritional needs. Avoid crash diets or those that restrict certain foods, as they can rob the body of the nutrients it needs.
- Kidney disease is a serious condition, and it is important to seek medical advice before starting any new food plan. In addition, kidney disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, in the early stages, can all exist without causing any symptoms. Along with eating a healthy diet, it is important to get regular medical checkups so that these conditions can be caught early on, when they are easier to treat.
References
- National Kidney Foundation: Diet and Kidney Stones
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Kidney Disease of Diabetes
- National Kidney Disease Education Program: Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
- "Journal of the American Society of Nephrology": Obesity--What Does It Have to Do with Kidney Disease?
