Close to 600,000 individuals suffer from end stage renal disease, or ESRD. Without properly functioning kidneys, your body cannot clear waste products and fluid. Most of these individuals will require dialysis, however some may be fortunate enough to meet the criteria for a kidney transplant. While the diet following a kidney transplant is less restrictive than the diet for ESRD, there are some guidelines you need to follow for continued good health.
Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplants have been a method of treatment for kidney failure since the 1950s. The procedure replaces your two sick kidneys with one kidney from a healthy donor. This one kidney will be able to take over the work of your two failing kidneys. While the transplant can improve your quality of life, it is not a cure, and you will require continued close monitoring by your health-care team and anti-rejection medication for the rest of your life.
Diet and Kidney Transplant
Good nutrition is essential following your transplant. You will need adequate amounts of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals to promote healing and support good health. In addition, your anti-rejection medications may require you to make modifications to your diet to help maintain weight and prevent elevations in blood sugar and blood lipid levels. Most individuals gain 20 lbs. following a kidney transplant. The steroid medication prednisone can increase your appetite, leading to weight gain. If left uncontrolled, the added pounds can also cause an increase in blood cholesterol levels. Steroids also make it harder to control blood sugar, and the added weight gain can increase your risk of developing diabetes.
Calories
Controlling your calorie intake can help you better manage your weight. Your transplant team dietitian can help you determine how many calories you need to maintain a healthy weight. In general, most post-transplant patients require 25 to 35 calories per kilogram of ideal body weight. For example, a 5 foot 10 inch male has an ideal body weight of 166 lbs and may need 1,900 to 2,600 calories a day.
Protein
High doses of prednisone can cause muscle breakdown. Consuming adequate amounts of protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass. To meet your daily protein needs, you will need 1.0 g of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, a man weighing 166 lbs. will require 75 g of protein a day. To maintain heart health, make your protein choices lean and low-fat, such as poultry, fish, beans and low-fat dairy products.
Sodium, Potassium and Phosphorus
Prior to your transplant, you had to restrict your intake of sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Depending on your lab work, you may no longer need to restrict your potassium or phosphorus intake. However, to help maintain good blood pressure and heart health, you will still need to limit your sodium intake. Your doctor or dietitian can help you determine your sodium needs. A healthy diet should limit sodium to less than 2,300 mg a day.
References
- American Association of Kidney Patients; Diet After Transplantation; Nikki Scalfani; March 2004
- Cleveland Clinic: Nutrition After Kidney Transplant
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearing House; Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure: Kidney Transplantation; May 2006
- United States Renal Data System: Statistics
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L.Kathleen Mahan, MS, RD, CDE, Sylvia Escott-Stump, MA, RD; 1996
