Proteinuria, or excess amounts of the protein albumin in the urine, indicates kidney damage. Your body needs this protein for various purposes, and normally functioning kidneys are able to keep what the body needs and get rid of what it does not. The presence of this condition means the kidneys' filters have been damaged. Diet factors heavily into managing kidney disease and its complications. Because of this importance, it is imperative to work with a doctor or renal dietitian for advice on what you should eat and not eat and, more importantly, stick to that advice.
Soy Protein
Soy protein may offer numerous benefits for damaged kidneys. Animal proteins are high quality but hard on the kidneys and you may need to limit them in your diet. Vegetable proteins are less taxing and soy fits the bill as both a vegetable protein and a high-quality protein. It might also help reduce proteinuria, specifically. A 2003 study published in the ‘’European Journal of Clinical Nutrition’’ had patients follow a commonly recommended renal diet consisting of 70 percent animal protein and 30 percent plant protein followed by a diet consisting of 35 percent soy protein and 30 percent other vegetable proteins. Researchers found the addition of soy to the diet appeared to reduce proteinuria and improve renal function overall.
Registered dietitian Joan Brookshyer, writing for the American Association of Kidney Patients, recommends eating soy protein as part of a diet to reduce proteinuria and slow the progression of kidney damage. But she cautions against choosing the wrong products. Many soy-based meat and cheese substitutes can be high in sodium, another nutrient you may need to limit in your diet. Read packages carefully.
Flaxseed
A study in the December 2003 issue of ‘’Kidney International’’ suggests flaxseed meal might reduce proteinuria. Dutch researchers had diabetic rats likely to develop kidney disease follow either a diet consisting of 20 percent casein – the protein found in milk -- 20 percent soy protein or 20 percent flaxseed meal for six months. All other aspects of the diet were the same in all three groups. The researchers found that the amount of protein excreted in the urine of the flaxseed-fed rats was ‘’significantly lower’’ compared to the other diets. These rats also had fewer damaged glomeruli – the tiny filters in the kidneys. A study of this nature is not enough to make any firm conclusions, but given the relative safety of adding this food to your diet, it cannot hurt to experiment, given the approval of your physician.
Reducing Sodium
If you have kidney damage, you often need to watch your intake of sodium – the proper amount will depend on individual factors and your dietitian or doctor can advise you on this. Even if you are not currently on a sodium-restricted diet, you might consider lowering your intake anyway as it may help reduce proteinuria, according to a study published in the July 2011 issue of ‘’The British Medical Journal.’’ Researchers divided participants into several groups: a reduced salt diet in combination with ACE-inhibitors, a medication used to treat proteinuria, a low-salt diet and placebo, a regular sodium diet and the medication, or the placebo and a regular sodium diet. When comparing the outcomes of all the patient groups, the reduced sodium diet appeared to reduce proteinuria to a greater extent. The suggested intake for the average person is 2,300 mg daily with 1,500 mg being shown to offer greater health benefits.
Controlling Blood Sugar
The National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse stresses the importance of keeping your blood sugar under control if you have proteinuria. Consistently high glucose levels damage the kidneys. Talk to your dietitian about the amount of carbohydrates you should eat every day. You need to limit sugar and refined carbohydrates, both of which elevate blood sugar levels. Focus on fiber-rich carbohydrates, such as whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables. While rich in nutrients, starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn can also raise blood sugar when eaten in excess.
References
- ''European Journal of Clinical Nutrition''; Beneficiary Effect of Dietary Soy Protein on Lowering Plasma Levels of Lipid and Improving Kidney Function in Type II Diabetes With Nephropathy; L. Azadbakht, et al.; 2003
- ''Kidney International''; Dietary Flaxseed Meal Reduces Proteinuria and Ameliorates Nephropathy in an Animal Model of Type II Diabetes Mellitus; M.T. Velasquez, et al.; December 2003
- American Association of Kidney Patients; Eating Vegetarian While Living With Kidney Disease; Joan Brookshyer, RD, CSR
- '''BMJ''; Moderate Dietary Sodium Restriction Added to Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibition Compared With Dual Blockade in Lowering Proteinuria and Blood Pressure: Randomised Controlled Trial; M.C. Stagman, et al.; July 2011
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Proteinuria
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