Changing your diet is an important part of treating impaired kidney function, but since chronic kidney disease leads to kidney failure, it is important to talk to your doctor before making any changes in your eating habits. There are general dietary guidelines that everyone with impaired kidney function should consider, but each person's medical needs are unique, so your physician may recommend consulting with a dietitian.
Definition
The kidneys filter blood to remove wastes and extra water. They also release hormones that stimulate the production of red blood cells, regulate blood pressure and maintain the balance of calcium throughout the body. Kidney function can be impaired due to disease or damage. The two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Protein
When the kidneys filter wastes, they normally make sure that proteins stay in the blood. Impaired kidney function may allow excess protein to escape as waste. You may prevent loss of protein by limiting the amount of protein you eat, which relieves some of the work the kidneys must perform. Foods high in protein include meats, milk and cheese, peanut butter, dried beans and peas.
Sodium
Since they regulate blood pressure, the kidneys are especially sensitive to changes in pressure. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and cause long-term kidney disease. Kidneys with impaired functioning fail to properly regulate blood pressure. This means it is critical to keep your blood pressure within healthy limits and one way to do that is by reducing the amount of salt in your diet. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse recommends limiting daily salt intake to 2,000 mg.
Potassium
Chronic kidney disease puts you at increased risk for high levels of potassium, or hyperkalemia. Nerves and muscles rely on potassium for proper functioning, but the amount of potassium circulating in your blood must remain carefully regulated, so hyperkalemia can be life threatening. When your kidneys are impaired, you may need to reduce the amount of potassium in your diet. Foods particularly high in potassium include, bananas, papayas, prune juice, tomato juice, sweet potatoes and avocados.
Vitamin D
Impaired kidney function may decrease the amount of vitamin D available in your body. Fish, especially canned salmon, sardines and mackerel, milk and fortified cereals are good sources of vitamin D.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse; High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease; July 2008
- National Kidney Disease Education Program; Chronic Kidney Disease and Diet; March 2011
- American Kidney Fund: Potassium
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse; The Kidneys and How They Work; Feb. 2009
- Yale Medical Group: Nutrition and Cancer - High-Protein Foods; 2011
- Drugs.com Potassium Content Of Foods List; May 4, 2011
