Your kidneys play a vital role in maintaining proper balance of fluids and nutrients and filtering wastes from your blood. When the health of your kidneys has become compromised, most commonly from diabetes, it cannot perform these tasks as efficiently. This requires very specific dietary changes to slow progression of the disease and maintain optimal kidney function for as long as possible. No commercial diets plans exist which specifically address kidney disease and you need to work with a registered dietitian to create a meal plan for your individual needs.
Importance of Professional Guidance
Kidney disease comes in five stages, depending on how much kidney function you have lost. Once you have reached the final stage of the disease, your kidneys only function at less than 15 percent of their normal capacity. While the general dietary guidelines remain fairly consistent throughout the course of the disease, the degree to which you need to restrict certain nutrients will vary depending on the stage. For example, someone with stage one kidney disease will likely be able to consume greater amounts of protein than someone in stage four. Registered dietitians experienced in working with renal patients have the knowledge required to design a diet that takes into account your limitation while ensuring adequate nutrition, vital for anyone with a chronic disease.
Protein Intake
One of the most vital aspects of a renal diet involves eating the proper amount of protein. This nutrient serves many important functions in the body and you need adequate amounts for general health. Protein however, produces many toxic by-products during breakdown and your compromised kidneys cannot remove these wastes in the same way a healthy kidney can. The amount of protein you can safely consume will depend on the extent of your disease. Eating more vegetable proteins, soy in particular, has been linked with a slowed progression of the disease due to their reduced production of toxins and the reduced stress required of the kidney to process these foods. You also require animal proteins however, as they represent the highest quality source of this nutrient. When it comes to picking the proper proteins however, you need to take other dietary limitations into account. The necessity of watching your intake of certain nutrients, like phosphorus, makes certain proteins better choices than others. This underscores the importance of professional guidance.
Phosphorus and Potassium Intake
Your body utilizes the mineral phosphorus and potassium for a variety of important functions include building healthy bones and teeth, normal nerve and muscle function and heart health. Excess amounts can prove harmful and poorly-functioning kidneys cannot maintain a healthy balance as efficiently. Foods particularly high in phosphorus include milk, hard cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, whole grains, organ meats, sardines, artichokes, spinach, peapods, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, chocolate and cola. Low-phosphorus items include cottage cheese, sherbet, refined grains, green beans, potatoes, squash, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers and non-organ meats like beef and chicken. High-potassium foods include bananas, broccoli, chocolate, oranges, tomatoes, apricots, raisins, whole grains and many types of nuts and seeds. Lower-potassium foods include refined grains, berries of all kinds and many of the low-phosphorus vegetables mentioned above.
Sodium Intake
High blood pressure both leads to kidney disease and a worsening of the condition. Limiting sodium will help control blood pressure. The most obvious culprits include prepared, processed and canned foods. The best way to limit sodium involves focusing on fresh, whole foods whose sodium content can be as low as a couple of milligrams per serving. Exercise caution with salt-substitutes, many contain large amounts of potassium.
References
- Medical College of Wisconsin Division of Nephrology: Diet for Renal Patient
- Mayoclinic.com: Low-Phosphorus Diet: Best for Kidney Disease?
- American Association of Kidney Patients: 3505 E. Frontage Rd. Suite 315 Tampa, FL 33607 800-749-2257 phone 813-636-8122 fax info@aakp.org Eating Vegetarian Foods While Living With Kidney Disease
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