Chronic Kidney disease

Healthy kidneys maintain blood salt and mineral equilibrium. When you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), your kidneys are unable to filter your blood as effectively as they should. What you eat and drink can assist your kidneys in maintaining a healthy balance of salts and minerals in your body, therefore making you feel better.

Eating the correct meals and avoiding foods rich in salt, potassium, and phosphorus may help to prevent or delay various CKD-related health issues. What you eat and drink may also have an impact on how effectively your kidney disease therapies function. Understanding the effects of calories, lipids, protein, and liquids on the body is critical for persons with severe CKD.

Nutritional requirements shift as CKD progresses. Your health care provider may advise you to pick meals more carefully and to work with a qualified dietitian to develop an eating plan tailored to your specific requirements.


1.CALORIES

The meals and beverages you consume provide energy to your body. Calories are used to measure energy. You may lose weight if you consume less calories than your body requires. Excessive weight loss might make you ill.

People with CKD may delay eating because they are not hungry or because meals or beverages may not taste the same as they used to. If you don't feel like eating, see a dietician or a health care expert to ensure you're receiving enough calories and that they're coming from nutritional sources. Your nutritionist or health care expert can assist you in finding healthy methods to consume the recommended number of calories in your diet.


2. PROTEINS

Protein helps with the formation and maintenance of muscle, bone, skin, connective tissue, internal organs, and blood. Protein also aids in the fight against sickness and the healing of wounds. Protein degrades into waste in your body as it is used, which your kidneys must eliminate from the blood.

Protein should be consumed in moderation by patients with CKD, according to medical authorities. However, eating too little protein may result in malnutrition, a condition in which your body does not receive enough nutrients. A dietitian can assist you in understanding and adjusting the amount and sources of protein in your diet.

Dialysis patients

Dialysis patients with CKD may need to eat additional protein since dialysis eliminates protein from the blood. The amount of protein eliminated from the blood is determined by the kind of dialysis used.


3.FAT

Fat provides energy to the body, aids in the management of cholesterol and blood pressure, and aids in the absorption of vitamins. Fat also contains necessary nutrients and is an important component of a balanced diet.

Everyone need some fat in their diet, but too much fat or the improper sort of fat can lead to clogging of your blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. People with CKD are more likely to develop heart disease and should reduce their fat intake.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which may be found in foods like canola oil, maize oil, peanut oil, and safflower oil, are healthier alternatives to saturated and trans fats. Saturated and trans fats can both elevate cholesterol and block blood arteries. At room temperature, saturated fats, which are found in animal products such as red meat, chicken, and butter, are normally solid. Trans fats may be found in baked products, fried meals, and hydrogenated vegetable oils like margarine and vegetable shortening.


Increase your consumption of these items.

  • Fats that are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated
  • Oil of canola
  • Nuts
  • Oatmeal
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salmon
  • Sesame seed oil


4. SODIUM

Sodium is a mineral found in salt that aids in fluid regulation in the body. Too much salt causes your blood to retain—or hang on to—fluids, resulting in high blood pressure and swelling, placing strain on your kidneys and heart.

The sodium content of foods and beverages may be discovered on the Nutrition Facts label.


You may reduce the quantity of salt in your diet by doing the following:

  • Consuming fruits and vegetables that are fresh, frozen (without sauce or flavor), or canned (low sodium or no salt added).
  • Choose raw meats over processed meats
  • Making food from scratch
  • Instead of salt, use spices, herbs, and salt-free seasonings
  • Experimenting with other flavors, such as lemon juice and spicy pepper sauce


5. POTASSIUM

Because CKD makes it difficult for the kidneys to eliminate potassium from the blood, potassium levels in the blood can become quite high. Too little or too much potassium can cause heart and muscle disorders. People with CKD should have their blood levels examined on a regular basis to ensure that their potassium levels are normal.

Your potassium levels can be affected by the foods and beverages you consume. Consult a dietician or health care expert to determine how much potassium you should consume based on your stage of kidney disease.


You may reduce the potassium in your diet by

  • Choosing potassium-lower fruits and veggies
  • Removing the liquid from canned fruits and vegetables, which is generally high in potassium
  • Substituting spices and herbs for salt substitutes, which might be rich in potassium
  • Speaking with a dietician or health care professional about food preparation and cooking methods that might reduce the potassium content of potatoes and some vegetables

6. PHOSPHORUS

Damaged kidneys cannot eliminate phosphorus from the blood as effectively as healthy kidneys. Phosphorus levels in the blood can rise in persons with CKD. Phosphorus in excess can weaken your bones.

Phosphorus is naturally present in protein-rich meals. Many processed meals, flavored beverages, and certain meats contain phosphorus. For many persons with CKD, phosphate supplements are their primary source of phosphorus. Those with added phosphorus may cause your blood phosphorus levels to rise higher than foods with naturally occurring phosphorus. A nutritionist or other health care expert can assist you in finding methods to get enough protein without consuming too much phosphorus.

As the severity of your kidney disease worsens, you may need to take a phosphate binder with meals to reduce the quantity of phosphorus in your blood. A phosphate binder is a medication that acts like a sponge in the stomach, absorbing or binding phosphorus. The phosphorous does not enter your bloodstream since it is bonded. Instead, phosphorus is removed from your body through your feces.


7. LIQUIDS

To function effectively, your body need liquids. People with severe CKD, on the other hand, may need to limit their liquid intake since their kidneys are unable to eliminate excess fluid. Excessive liquid consumption can induce edema, elevate blood pressure, and make your heart work harder. Consuming too much fluids may indicate that you are consuming too much salt.

A dietician or health care expert can help you evaluate how much fluids is appropriate for you. If you observe any swelling in your face, arms, legs, or abdomen, contact your doctor.