Your kidneys are vital organs that help filter and clean your blood. These small organs process about 200 quarts of blood each day, sifting out the extra water and waste products that flow through your blood supply. Good nutrition plays a role in the health of your kidneys, especially if you suffer from renal disease, a condition that affects kidney performance.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form when small crystals grow into stones in the bladder. Certain foods create waste buildup that forms the basis of crystal or stone formation.
The types of stones may vary, depending on the substance they contain. The most common type of kidney stones is calcium oxalate stones. Less common types of stones include struvite, uric acid, calcium phosphate and cystine stones. Dietary changes can help reduce your risk of developing kidney stones and protect the health of your kidneys.
Fluids
Consuming adequate amounts of fluid in the diet is important in maintaining kidney health. If you have had a kidney stone in the past, the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends you consume enough fluid each day to produce at least 2 quarts of urine. Adequate amounts of fluid in the diet helps dilute the waste materials and flush them from the kidneys. Although more research is necessary, citrus drinks may help prevent the formation of uric acid stones and oxalate stones, but has the potential of increasing the risk of calcium phosphate stones in people who form these types of kidney stones.
Nutrients
Sodium can affect the health of your kidneys. The recommended daily allowance for sodium is 2,400 mg per day, although most Americans consume more. Too much sodium increases blood pressure and raises the risk of developing kidney stones and kidney disease. A high-fat diet may lead to elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood stream, possibly increasing the risk of kidney failure. Although healthy kidneys can process potassium, phosphorus and animal protein, diseased kidneys may have trouble filtering out these substances.
Kidney Disease
Although heredity plays a role in the development of some instances of kidney disease, most cases stem from complications due to diabetes and high blood pressure, conditions that require eliminating junk foods in favor of wholesome, nutritious food choices. A carefully managed diabetic diet can help regulate blood glucose levels and protect the kidneys. If you suffer from kidney disease, your doctor may recommend limiting the amount of animal protein and dairy products in your diet, increasing the amount of nutritious carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, grains and breads.
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