If your kidneys are not functioning properly, your body is not be able to get rid of waste products from the foods you eat and you can become sick. Kidney failure can cause disease or be the result of a serious illness such as diabetes, heart disease, weak bones and anemia. However there are treatments available to help manage your condition. One important component of your treatment program is a change in your diet including limiting your intake of protein.
Effects
When you digest protein, your body produces waste products. During digestion proteins in the blood, called albumin, and waste products, called blood urea nitrogen, need to be filtered by the kidney. If your kidneys are not working properly, these substances can build up in the blood. The National Kidney Foundation states that when waste products accumulate in the bloodstream you may feel sick and experience a loss of appetite and fatigue. If not treated it can lead to serious illness and even death. The National Kidney Disease Education Program states that if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor can do a kidney function test called GFR or glomerular filtration rate. This test helps to determine your level of kidney function in general and can tell your doctor the potential stage of kidney disease. Part of this test includes a Blood Urea Nitrogen or BUN test to check the level of protein in your blood. If your BUN levels are high on more then one test, you may have kidney disease.
Benefits
Limiting your protein intake allows your kidneys a break. They do not have to work as hard to filter the food you eat. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that a diet low in protein may actually prevent the worsening of your kidney disease. They caution that you may also have to reduce sodium, potassium and fluid intake as well to fully manage your condition. If you have diabetes along with kidney disease, you may also have to restrict your carbohydrate consumption.
Considerations
According to the National Institutes of Health, if you have kidney disease, the majority of your calories should come from complex carbohydrates, not protein. Complex carbohydrates are starches that contain three or more sugars. Examples include legumes, starchy vegetables and whole-grain breads and cereals. Since each case is unique, work with a registered dietitian to help plan your diet. Your doctor can perform the same blood test mentioned above to help determine the exact amounts of protein, potassium, sodium and fluids your body can properly digest.
Amount
The American Association of Kidney Patients states that if you have chronic kidney disease you should limit your daily intake to 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. They also warn that you need to watch out for too little protein intake as well to avoid muscle loss and increased risk of infections. This is why your doctor and a dietitian need to help you find the right balance based on your individual needs.
Warnings
According to research by Brigham and Woman's Hospital, in women who have mild kidney disease, eating too much protein may make their kidney disease worse. The risk was greater in those who consumed animal sources of protein. Women who consumed non-dairy and non-animal based protein had to consume very large amounts before their kidney disease worsened. This means that it may be helpful to not only watch your total protein intake, but also be mindful about the source of protein you eat. Their 2003 study also found that a high protein diet did not seem to cause kidney disease in women with normally functioning kidneys. However, the study cautions that kidney function can decline with age. So older women may want to have their kidney function tested before consuming a high protein diet or taking supplements.
