What is Kidney Diet

The kidney diet, also known as the renal diet, its purpose is to keep the levels of fluid, electrolytes and minerals balance in the body. Generally, this diet involves controlling the amount of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, and fluid that a person ingests. People with impaired kidney function should consult their doctor about the amount of restrictions of fluids, sodium, protein, potassium and phosphorus in their everyday meal. They usually need to work closely with a renal dietitian who can monitor important levels of electrolytes, minerals, and fluids to make sure that they maintain a proper nutrition while limiting the load on their kidney and other bodily systems.

How the Kidney Works

Kidneys are 11 cm long, paired, reddish brown organs situated on the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity, one on each side of the vertebral column and capped by the adrenal gland, located between muscles of the back and the peritoneal cavity. Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons, and each nephron has a special cluster of tiny blood vessels called glomerulus, it works as strainer which filters the blood, keeps the blood cells and needed substances enter while letting the extra fluids and waste out of the body through urine. When the kidney can not filter the blood properly it will result to the accumulation of toxins and extra fluids to body, it will remain to the body system which cause toxicity

Kidney Diet should be less Sodium, limit Potassium, Phosphorus, Protein & Fluid Intake

Less Sodium

Avoid processed, frozen, and canned foods, this contains a lot of sodium, canned soups are often surprisingly high in salt, fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat are the best option to limit Sodium intake. The easiest way to avoid excess sodium intake is to eliminate putting extra salt on foods. People frequently add salt during cooking and at the table. Even just topping these behaviors will usually cut back significant amount of sodium ingested. It is also important to avoid particularly salty foods such as theater popcorn, potato chips, salted pretzels, bacon and other cured meats, and processed cheese.

What about Potassium

Potassium is important for different body functions such as maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, sending nerve impulse to muscles, and aiding in metabolic processes. A healthy kidney normally filter out excess potassium, to maintain its normal amount in our body.while people with improperly functioning kidneys need to control their potassium intake.

Potassium is a mineral that can be found in almost foods we eat, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. Fruits and vegetables contains high amount of potassium such as oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots. Apples, blueberries, grapes, strawberries, lettuce, and onions are all relatively low in potassium. Canned vegetables and juices are usually high in potassium. For people with kidney problems who want to eat certain high potassium vegetables, there is one method for removing some potassium, called leaching. This process varies depending on the vegetable, but generally it involves repeatedly rinsing and boiling the vegetable in a large amount of water.

Limit Protein Intake If you have Kidney Problem

Proteins are complex organic molecules made of amino acid chains which the body uses to maintain and repair muscles, organs, and glands. During protein break down it produces a waste product called urea, which is usually filtered out by the kidneys and excreted out to the body as waste through urine.

In the occasion when the kidney function is impaired the kidneys will not be able to take out urea from the body, depending on the severity of the kidney problem. If too much urea builds up in the body it can cause serious illness and toxicity to the body system.

Limit Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an essential mineral usually present in variety of foods such as meat, chicken, fish, nuts, eggs and more, is also available as a dietary supplements. Our bones, teeth, DNA & RNA are made up of phosphorus, its functions is make the teeth & bones strong and keep its form, maintain energy levels, keeps the nervous system healthy, maintain PH balance and helps the proper delivery of oxygen into the body.

When the kidney is not functioning well it can not remove excess phosphorus out of the body, extra phosphorus causes a body changes that pull calcium out of our bones and makes it weak and brittle that may cause osteoporosis. High phosphorus and calcium levels will lead to calcium deposits in the blood vessels, lungs and heart that may increase risk of heart attack and stroke.

Sample Daily Meal Plan for a 1500 k cal requirement, Kidney Diet

Meal photos were from corrected and revised presentation from students Allan Gacusan, Ronalyn Timbresa, Roderick Quaiodat and Zukra Zainal 

Conclusion

The benefits of the kidney diet are enormous, people who have been diagnosed with early to late kidney disease must follow a special diet in order to slow the progress of disease and lessen their symptoms. Kidney Diet should be low in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein and fluid depending on the severity of kidney problem. A licensed dietitian should be consulted to monitor the amount of limitations. People who do follow this diet usually feel better and can prolong and restore their kidney function during early and acute phase.

People with any level of kidney failure should be under medical supervision. Patients will usually need to work closely with a renal dietitian who can monitor important levels of electrolytes, minerals, and fluids to make sure that patients are maintaining proper nutrition while limiting the load on their kidney and other bodily systems. The diet for dialysis patients is especially strict and should be taken extremely seriously in order avoid further complications.

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