Nutrition and Kidney Disease

WATER PROTEIN POTASSIUM SODIUM FLUIDS PHOSPHOROUS

To understand the importance of nutrition and kidney disease, let's review some of the functions of the kidneys.

Kidneys clean the blood
Kidneys help in controlling blood pressure
Kidneys help in making red blood cells
Kidneys help keep your bones strong

How Does What You Eat Affect Your Kidneys? How Does What You Eat Affect Your Kidneys? Most of your waste and extra fluid in your blood comes from food. By controlling what and how much you eat and drink, you can reduce the amount of waste products that accumulate. This will affect how you feel. What you eat can't cure kidney disease, but it will help you maintain the best possible health.

Each person's dietary needs are different. Every meal plan is individualized to meet the person's particular needs. This plan is based on the person's medical condition, laboratory values, weight, age, gender, and activity level. This is a very important part of your medical treatment. It is prescribed for you by your nephrologist, (kidney doctor) and dietician. This meal plan may advise controlling foods that are high sources of protein, potassium, sodium, phosphorous, and fluid.

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Water

People with healthy kidneys should drink 8-10 eight-ounce glasses (64 ounces) of water everyday
Signs of dehydration: headaches, heartburn, joint and back pain, kidney stones, constipation, and fatigue
Drink plenty of fluids before you exercise and an ounce of water for every degree over 64
Drink plenty of fluids before you exercise and an ounce of water for every degree over 64
Drink one glass of water for every cocktail, beer or caffeinated beverage you consume
Drinking water lowers risk of urinary tract cancer and infections
Fluoride-rich water helps prevent tooth decay and strengthens teeth
Mineral-rich water can help normalize erratic heartbeats and help prevent heart enlargement, heart attack and stroke

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Protein

Protein is needed by your body to form new muscles tissue, and keep it healthy. All foods except sugars and fats contain protein. It is important to eat the right amount that is right for you. Meats, fish, poultry, and eggs are excellent sources. Dairy products, dried fruits, and legumes are also, but are higher sources of phosphorus and may need to be limited.

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Potassium

Potassium helps your muscles and nerves work correctly. If potassium is not at an acceptable level (too high or too low) in your blood it may cause muscle weakness, including your heart muscle, which may lead to heart failure. Good food sources of potassium are also good sources protein. Here is a list of some potassium sources: oranges, grapefruits, bananas, dried fruits, potatoes, tomatoes, and tomato products.

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Sodium

Sodium helps in controlling your blood pressure. Sodium is found naturally in low to moderate amounts. Salt, which is 50% sodium, is added to many foods such as soups, cold cuts, cheese, snack foods, smoked or cured meats, and convenient type foods. The addition of the salt makes these items high sodium products.

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Fluids

Healthy kidneys will remove fluids as urine. When urine function slows down, fluids build-up in your body. Weight gain, swelling of your hands and feet and shortness of breath may occur. Your doctor may advise you to control your fluid intake. If fluids need to be limited, all foods that are liquid at room temperature must be counted. These include water, ice, ice cream, sherbet, gelatin, soup, soda, coffee, tea, and juice.

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Phosphorus

Phosphorus combines with calcium to keep bones and teeth strong. When the kidneys have lost much of their function, the body is unable to use calcium well, or remove phosphorus. Your body tries to correct this by getting the calcium it needs from your bones. This will cause your bones to become weak if left untreated. Phosphorus is found in most foods, but is especially high in all dairy products: milk, cheese, dried beans, and nuts.

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