The primary function of your kidneys is to remove excess fluid and waste materials from your blood. The kidneys then take these filtered substances and create urine from them. If you have a kidney disorder or acute renal failure, your kidneys cannot function properly. As a result, waste materials and fluid can accumulate to dangerous levels in your blood. The goals of nutritional therapy for kidney diseases is to prevent excess fluid and waste products from entering your blood and to reduce stress on the kidneys.
Protein
When you eat protein, your body breaks it down and produces a waste product called urea. Healthy kidneys remove urea from the blood without a problem. If you have a kidney disorder or acute renal failure, your kidneys will attempt to remove urea unsuccessfully. Not only will urea accumulate in the bloodstream, but the attempt at filtration also puts excess stress on the kidneys, which can make your condition worse. If you have a kidney disease, it is important to limit your intake of protein. Specific recommendations are based on each individual case and level of kidney function.
Phosphorus
Healthy kidneys remove excess amounts of phosphorus from your blood. Too much phosphorus can stimulate your bones to release calcium into the bloodstream. Over time, this can lead to weak and brittle bones that are prone to fractures. If you have a kidney disease, you should limit your intake of phosphorus by eliminating high-phosphorus foods from your diet. These foods include milk, cheese, yogurt, beans, nuts, egg yolk and bran cereals.
Sodium
If you eat a lot of sodium, your body will retain water in an effort to maintain the balance of fluid and electrolytes in your blood. Too much water in the blood can increase your blood volume, which also increases your blood pressure. High blood pressure puts excess strain on the kidneys and can exacerbate kidney disease. If you have kidney disease, you should limit your sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg per day. Avoid adding salt to foods and avoid high-sodium foods like canned and processed foods.
Potassium
Diseased kidneys cannot properly remove potassium from the blood. Potassium helps control your heart beat, and too much of it can cause your heart to beat abnormally. If you have kidney disease, you should eliminate high-potassium foods from your diet. These foods include bananas, kiwi fruit, apricots, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and cooked spinach.
Fluid
It is also important for someone with kidney disease to avoid consuming excess amounts of fluid. When you drink fluid, your kidneys are stimulated to create urine. Too much fluid in the blood puts excess strain on your kidneys, worsening your condition. Drinking adequate fluid is vital to preventing dehydration, however. If you have kidney disease, you should work with a dietitian to determine your specific fluid needs.
