Your kidneys are the major filtration system in your body and are responsible for keeping your blood clean and processing excess waste and water out through your urinary system. Healthy kidneys process nearly 200 quarts of blood and two quarts of waste product from your body daily, but damaged kidneys prevent this natural process, which is detrimental to your health. A renal, or kidney, diet is important for getting damaged kidneys to continue the vital filtration process so you do not progress into complete kidney failure.
Importance of Diet Changes
Your kidneys remove the waste created during food metabolism and work to balance your fluid levels. Injured kidneys have difficulty managing these important functions, especially when you eat foods containing high levels of protein, cholesterol, sodium and potassium. A renal diet is advised if your physician determines that your kidneys do not function properly because of conditions including diabetes, hypertension, congenital kidney disease or other damage like ingestion of poison leading to kidney injury. Chronic kidney disease happens slowly and in stages. Symptom severity is characterized by swelling in the extremities because your kidneys do not balance fluids properly, appetite changes, skin darkening and muscle cramps. No matter the stage of kidney disease, changes to your diet along with adherence to medical recommendations can improve longevity.
Low-Protein Intake
Protein is an important nutrient for building and maintaining muscle and tissue. Metabolized protein from food creates a waste product called urea, which is toxic to your body if it accumulates. The conundrum is that you need protein to maintain muscular and tissue health but your damaged kidneys cannot process protein quick enough to prevent toxic urea buildup. The solution is low dietary intake of protein, which is equivalent to 1 g of protein per kilogram of your body weight, notes Medline Plus. However, to determine your specific daily protein needs consult your physician and nutritionist before changing your protein intake. High-protein foods include red meat, poultry, dairy, fish and nuts. Low-protein alternatives include whole grains, vegetables and bean varieties.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Phosphorus and calcium are minerals that work together to keep your bones healthy, but damaged kidneys are unable to filter excess phosphorus from your body. High levels of phosphorus result in a decrease in calcium causing your body to correct the imbalance by pulling calcium from your bones. This weakens your bones leading to bone fragility and pain. Dairy, nuts and beans, chicken, sardines, beer and soda are high phosphorus items. Low-phosphorus foods include vegetables and fruit, some dairy like cream cheese or ricotta and fruit juices. Talk to your physician to determine your daily phosphorus intake and calcium supplement alternatives.
Sodium and Potassium
Sodium and potassium are important electrolytes for balancing your body fluids and both also play a role in protecting your muscle movements. Damaged kidneys cannot filter excess sodium and potassium from your body as readily as healthy kidneys. This increases your risk of irregular heart beat, swelling caused by fluid retention and high blood pressure. Avoid adding table salt to your foods and read nutrition labels for sodium content per serving in foods. High-sodium foods include canned, processed and frozen foods, snack foods like potato chips, cold cuts and bacon. Certain fruits, vegetables and bran products contain high levels of potassium. Work with your physician and nutritionist on creating meal plans to balance your sodium and potassium intake.
Additional Nutrients
Choose your fats carefully because high saturated fat and cholesterol intake can accelerate kidney failure. Carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains are important for supplying your body with energy but these foods may also contain higher amounts of potassium or phosphorus than your kidneys can handle. You need a certain amount of nutrients from food each day but following a renal diet is specific to your kidney disease and may take time to fully master. Heed the recommendations of your physician and nutritionist regarding your dietary needs for renal health.
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