Nutrition In Diseased Kidneys

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Your kidneys usually serve to remove waste products and extra fluids from the blood and body. These waste products and fluids come from the food we eat and the fluids we drink. If you have early kidney failure, some waste products and extra fluids may remain in your blood.

Occasionally, initial renal failure may progress to general renal failure. However, if you follow your doctor's instructions carefully and a special diet, you may be able to slow down this process.

A special diet can help control the accumulation of waste products and fluids in the blood and reduce the burden on the kidneys. This diet can also help slow the loss of kidney function. The main goal of the diet is to be healthy. Your doctor may recommend a special diet, depending on the stage of your illness.

In general, a diet that is used for the early stages of kidney disease controls the amount of protein and phosphorus you eat. Usually, sodium is also controlled. Getting enough calories to maintain a healthy weight is very important at this time.

Your body needs protein every day for growth, muscle building and tissue repair. Once your body uses the protein in the food you eat, you get a waste product called urea. If you forget about impaired kidney function, it means that the kidneys may not be able to get rid of urea normally. You may need to reduce the amount of protein you eat to avoid the buildup of urea in your body. Protein is found in two types of food:

• in large quantities in food of animal origin, such as poultry, meat, seafood, eggs, milk, cheese and other dairy products;

• in smaller amounts in foods from plant sources such as bread, cereals, starch, vegetables and fruits.

Your kidneys may not be able to remove phosphorus from your blood. This causes the level of phosphorus in your blood to become too high. High levels of phosphorus in the blood can lead to a loss of calcium from your bones. This can weaken your bones and make them break easily.

To help control the phosphorus in the blood, you should eat less foods that are high in phosphorus. Phosphorus is found in many foods, but is especially high in the following foods:

• dairy products such as milk, cheese, pudding, yogurt and light cream

• ripe beans, peas and lentils

• nuts and peanut butter

• beverages such as cocoa, beer and soft drinks

Using non-dairy creams and recommended milk substitutes instead of milk is a good way to reduce the amount of phosphorus you consume.

You may need to limit the amount of sodium in your diet. This is because it is often associated with high blood pressure and kidney disease. Sodium is found in many foods, but is especially high in the following:

• table salt and foods with added salt, such as snack foods, soups and processed cheese;

• certain canned foods, prepared foods and "fast foods";

• foods marinated in brine such as pickles, olives and sauerkraut;

• smoked and salted foods such as ham, bacon and meat.

Calories give you energy. Because you will be consuming fewer calories from protein, you will need to get more calories from other foods. Your dietitian may recommend that you get these extra calories from sugar and vegetable fats to help you get the right amount of calories.

Some of the ways to increase calories are as follows:

• Increase unsaturated fats, such as vegetable oils (corn, cottonseed, saffron, soybean or sunflower oil), olive oil and mayonnaise.

• Use sugar or sweets, such as hard candy, chewing gum, jelly candies, honey, jams and jellies.

• Canned or frozen fruit in heavy syrups.