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Diet kidney is a term that is used to describe the special diet which must be adhered to by people with a failed or diseased kidney. As a result of my involvement in the Health sector, I receive a lot of inquiries from people about how to stick to and follow a diet regime for Kidney Failure. One of the most recurring complaint is that this diet type has too many constraints and tends to be very strict and relentless.
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What Is Kidney Failure

The kidney is a major player in the regulation of the human bodily functions. Apart from aiding the body in getting rid of its wastes, it also helps in filtering the blood, stimulating the production of red blood cells and creates a balance in the level of electrolytes in the body. Kidney failure thereby occurs with the inability of the kidneys to perform the afore-mentioned functions.

Kidney failure is an almost endemic condition that can be a common conduit for different renal and urinary tract diseases. If it gets worse, wastes can build up to high and dangerous levels in your blood, thereby causing complications which can include; nerve damage, poor nutritional health, high blood pressure and anaemia.

Importance Of Good Nutrition For Diet Kidney

A good and balanced diet is essential for people with damaged or deteriorating kidney functions. Eating healthy is important to everyone but is even more so to people with kidney failure. Only good nutrition can give you the energy you need to do your daily tasks, maintain a healthy weight, help build muscles and prevent infections. Consultations with your physician can help in understanding what foods may or may not be appropriate, if extra nutrients needs to be taken, and most probably, a referral to a dietician who can work out a diet plan for you.

The Basics Of A Good Diet For Kidney Disease

The basics of a healthy nutritional eating plan is to devise a plan which gives the recipient the right amount of Calories, Protein, Minerals and Vitamins.

PROTEIN: Getting the right amount of protein is paramount to your overall health and well-being. Some of the most important sources of protein are Red Meat(veal, lamb,beef), Poultry, Eggs, Fish and other seafoods, Pork, Grains and Vegetables.

CALORIES: Calories are like the fuel our body needs to produce energy with which we carry out our everyday activities. They help in maintaining a healthy body weight, and allows the body to use up protein to repair the muscles and tissues in the body. The amount of calories our body needs differs from one individual to the other. If you are not getting the right amount of calories in your diet, you may need to eat extra high sugary foods like jam, syrup, honey, hard candy, etc.

MINERALS and VITAMINS: As a result of kidney disease and dialysis,
the amount of minerals and vitamins your body needs changes. Because you are on a special diet, the limit on your food choices can deprive you of many of the important minerals and vitamins you would otherwise get from various food sources. Therefore, you may need to take special vitamins or minerals as recommended by your physician ONLY.

Controlling Other Important Nutrients

If you suffer from kidney disease, you may need to balance fluids and other essential minerals and electrolytes which can have a big impact on your day to day living.

These include:

PHOSPHORUS: Found in dairy products, nuts, bran, and beverages. Too much phosphorus in the body can result in weak bones, a build up of calcium in the heart, blood vessels, joints and muscles. This can ultimately lead to heart conditions, skin ulcers, and poor blood circulation.

POTASSIUM: The amount of potassium you need depends on many factors which can include any medication that can alter the levels of potassium in the body. Too much or too little can be dangerous because some people on dialysis may need more potassium while others may be less. Good sources include leafy green vegetables, banana, avocado, milk, dried beans and peas, etc.

CALCIUM: Is the key mineral for building strong bones. Moreover, there is a high phosphorus content in foods that are good sources of calcium. To counter this setback, you may need to take phosphate binders and a special form of vitamin D which can be recommended by your physician.

SODIUM:This affects blood pressure and water balance in your body. Sodium is found in table salt, seasoning, canned foods and processed meats. Lack of sodium can lead to swelling of the ankle, fingers and eyes.

The kidney has a remarkable ability to recover from certain conditions if diagnosed early and treated using dialysis, diet, and or transplantation.