Obesity And Kidney Disease
Excess body fat directly contributes to your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, the main causes of chronic kidney disease. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, diabetes contributes to the buildup of glucose in your blood, which acts as a poison, damaging the nephrons in the kidneys 1. High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels of your kidneys, preventing them from being able to effectively filter waste from your blood. Because obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure, excess body weight can negatively affect the efficiency of your kidneys.
- Excess body fat directly contributes to your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, the main causes of chronic kidney disease.
- According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, diabetes contributes to the buildup of glucose in your blood, which acts as a poison, damaging the nephrons in the kidneys 1.
Choose And Prepare Foods With Less Salt And Sodium
Why? To help control your blood pressure. Your diet should contain less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day.
- Buy fresh food often. Sodium is added to many prepared or packaged foods you buy at the supermarket or at restaurants.
- Cook foods from scratch instead of eating prepared foods, fast foods, frozen dinners, and canned foods that are higher in sodium. When you prepare your own food, you control what goes into it.
- Use spices, herbs, and sodium-free seasonings in place of salt.
- Check for sodium on the Nutrition Facts label of food packages. A Daily Value of 20 percent or more means the food is high in sodium.
- Try lower-sodium versions of frozen dinners and other convenience foods.
- Rinse canned vegetables, beans, meats, and fish with water before eating.
Look for food labels with words like sodium free or salt free or low, reduced, or no salt or sodium or unsalted or lightly salted.
Limit Your Salt Intake
Sodium sneaks its way into all sorts of places you wouldnt imagine, especially packaged foods such as soups and breads. Limiting your sodium intake helps keep your blood pressure under control. Aim for 2,300 mg per day, according to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration thats about 1 teaspoon of table salt.
If youre at risk of or already have high blood pressure, Maruschak suggests following a low-sodium diet specifically the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan. Also try these tips to keep your sodium in check:
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How Do Nutritional Requirements Differ For Cats With Ckd
Water. Diseased kidneys are not as effective at excreting waste products from the body through the urine. One consequence of CKD is a decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. In order to continue to rid the body of its toxins despite more dilute urine, the body compensates by stimulating greater thirst. This makes it critical for you to provide your cat with an unlimited supply of fresh water. Canned food can help increase your cat’s intake of moisture. To encourage more water intake, change your pets water several times a day, clean your pets water bowl daily, and consider the use of a running water fountain to increase water interest.
Protein. Decreased dietary protein may slow the progression of CKD by decreasing the workload on the kidneys to excrete protein waste products. Less protein also means less need for the excretion of protein itself through the filtration mechanism of the kidney, which helps preserve kidney function. The recommended range of protein on a dry matter basis for cats with CKD is 28-35%. If protein intake is too low however, CKD will start to break down muscle mass.
Sodium. Dietary sodium levels are mildly restricted to reduce the workload on the kidneys. This in turn helps to maintain a reasonable blood pressure.
The Best Adrenal Belly Fat Diet: How To Lose That Stubborn Adrenal Belly
“The content below is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding amedicalcondition.”
Youre watching what you eat. Youre trying to exercise . Still, you cant seem to lose that extra weight around your midsection.
Dont be too hard on yourself.
Your adrenals may be to blame.
If youre not familiar with your bodys adrenals, dont worry. This guide has you covered. Read on to learn about:
- Adrenal fatigue
- How your adrenals may be contributing to that stubborn belly weight that doesnt seem to budge
- How Nutrition Response Testing can help
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Choose Complex Carbs Over Simple Carbs
Carbohydrates are your bodys main source of energy, and those that occur naturally in fresh foods are filled with fiber to support heart and gut health and keep your blood sugar levels steady. However, simple carbs such as added sugars in desserts, sweetened beverages, and many packaged foods can spike blood sugar and increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
As part of an overall healthy diet, you should limit sweets and foods with added sugars , says Maruschak. Healthier carbohydrate choices include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils.
If you have diabetes and are on insulin, you may need to be even more careful about your carbohydrate intake. It is likely that people will need to count carbohydrates at meal times so they can dose their insulin correctly, says Maruschak.
Nutrients To Be Aware Of
Keep in mind that there are plenty of other healthy options that will do your kidneys, and your body, plenty of good. If you do have chronic kidney disease, there are a few nutrients you should be aware of.
Your kidneys regulate potassium, which is why its so important to monitor how much you are eating on a regular basis. Your kidneys also have a role in red blood cell production, meaning that if they arent functioning correctly your count may be low. Eating iron-rich foods can help prevent this and help keep your energy levels up.
On the opposite side of the equation, salt can be your enemy. Too much salt can raise your blood pressure and make your heart and kidneys work too hard. Be careful about how much salt you use in cooking and also watch the salt content of pre-packaged foods like canned soups, frozen dinners, and boxed meals. Salt substitutes may also contain a lot of potassium, so try herbs to add flavor and give it some time. You can get used to eating less salt, but it does take six to eight weeks for your taste buds to get used to it.
Lastly, we mentioned phosphorus, but it is worth repeating. A low-phosphorus diet should include lots of fresh fruits and veggies, rice milk, corn and rice cereals, as well as lemonade and even ginger ale.
Read Also: Why Is High Potassium Bad For Kidneys
Its Estimated That Over That 37 Million Americans Suffer From Chronic Kidney Disease Unfortunately Many Of The People Who Have Ckd Arent Aware Of It Because The Early Stages Can Have No Symptoms At All Considering How Deadly The Late Stages Of Kidney Disease Can Be This Is A Dangerous Situation For Many People
Kidney disease is a serious condition and is linked to other major health issues such as heart and carotid artery disease. Carotid artery disease, when in advanced stages, can increase an individuals risk of stroke.
What are the best ways to take care of your kidneys? The same way you take care of your overall health diet and lifestyle choices. Healthy behaviors such as exercise, drinking plenty of water, and a balanced diet with the recommended amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are good for your body, inside and out.
For individuals with chronic kidney disease, there are plenty of foods out there that can help. Even if you dont have chronic kidney disease, it is still important to protect your kidneys. Preventing a health issue is always better than treating one.
Here are the best foods to help keep your kidneys healthy.
Other Fats For Kidneys
Other oils that can benefit the kidneys, which are neither omega-6 nor omega-3s, are olive oil, coconut oil and conjugated linoleic acid . Olive oil is monounsaturated oil and helps promote heart health, which is an important long term for kidney patients. It should be used raw or at a very low heat. Coconut oil has been shown to slow the formation of scar tissue in the kidneys. This is good news for kidney patients with FSGS and IgA nephropathy, two conditions that are notorious for causing the kidney to break down and scar. Coconut oil is also useful for diabetics as the medium-chain triglycerides of coconut oil can be used as energy without requiring insulin to enter the cell. Coconut oil, coconut milk, and shredded coconut all contain the favorable fatty acids, but coconut water does not. As a cooking oil, coconut oil can withstand high temperatures.
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Why Dietary Fat Is So Important For The Kidneysarticle Posted In: Dialysis
Editors Note:Did you know that eating the right kind of fat for kidneys may be a good thing? Today, Dr. Henderson brings us an interesting perspective on dietary fats that are beneficial for kidney patients. Please remember, these information is for educational purposes only.
The kidneys are one of the fattiest tissues in the body. Only the brain is more concentrated in fat than the kidneys. One of the most important ways to live a kidney-friendly lifestyle is to supply the body with good fats. The right kind of fats can protect the kidney from damage and decrease the inflammation associated with nephrotic syndrome, helping us preserve our kidney function. And the wrong kinds of fats can increase inflammation and accelerate the rate of damage to the kidneys. Thats why its so important to choose the right types of fat for kidneys.
Limit Phosphorus And Calcium
You need these minerals to keep your bones healthy and strong. When your kidneys are healthy, they remove the phosphorus you donât need. But if you have CKD, your phosphorus levels can get too high. This puts you at risk for heart disease. Whatâs more, your calcium levels begin to drop. To make up for it, your body pulls it from your bones. This can make them weak and easier to break.
If you have late-stage CKD, your doctor may advise you to get no more than 1,000 milligrams of phosphorus mineral each day. You can do this by:
- Choosing foods with low levels of phosphorus
- Eating more fresh fruits and veggies
- Choosing corn and rice cereals
- Drinking light-colored sodas
- Cutting back on meat, poultry, and fish
- Limiting dairy and processed foods
Foods that are high in calcium also tend to be high in phosphorus. The doctor might suggest you cut back on calcium-rich foods. Dairy foods that are lower in phosphorus include:
The doctor might also tell you to stop taking over-the-counter calcium supplements and suggest a phosphorus binder, a medicine that controls your phosphorus levels.
Read Also: What Causes Kidneys To Hurt
Store Bought Low Sodium Sausage
There are not many low sodium sausages available to buy at the grocery store.
Here is a list of the lowest sodium sausages I could find. Let me know in the comments if you have a low sodium sausage you would like to add to this list!
Note that this sausage recipe is much lower in sodium than any of the store-bought sausages.
Why Is Keeping Track Of How Much Liquid I Consume Important
Your body needs liquids to function properly. However, people with advanced CKD may need to limit how much liquid they consume because damaged kidneys cant remove extra fluid. Taking in too much liquid can cause swelling, raise your blood pressure, and make your heart work harder. Consuming too much liquid may be a sign that you are taking in too much sodium.
A dietitian or health care professional can work with you to determine how much liquid is right for you. Contact your health care professional if you notice any swelling in your face, arms, legs, or abdomen.
Read Also: What Do They Do For Kidney Stones
Learn More About Nutrition For People With Ckd
Proper nutrition for people with CKD is extremely important. For people in the early stages, a lower sodium diet may be prescribed if blood pressure is high. Major changes in food intake may not be the primary focus of treatment, but this doesnt mean you cant take steps to be as healthy as possible. A balanced diet helps our bodies function efficiently and gives us enough energy to sustain our activity level. Too much food leads to a calorie surplus, which is stored as fat and leads to weight gain. Too few calories lead to weight and muscle loss.
If youre in the later stages of CKD, your doctor will refer you to a kidney dietitian. Your dietitian will create an eating plan designed to help keep you healthy and lengthen the life of your kidneys.
Your Waist Size And Your Kidneys
More and more Americans are obese. And, more and more Americans are developing CKD. This epidemic is so great that nearly onethird of all adults are now classified as obese and more than one in every eight Americans has chronic kidney disease.
Are these epidemics of chronic kidney disease and obesity related? They may be. One study showed that men and women who were obese were 3 to 4 times as likely as those who had never been obese to need dialysis. Why does obesity affect the kidneys? One problem is that excess fat crowds the kidneys and compresses them. Another problem is that the kidneys have to work harder to keep up with a bigger body. Yet another issue is inflammation, which occurs in obese people. Other factors that are more common in the obese are insulin resistance and blood pressure raising hormones .
Its been known for a long time that overweight and obese individuals are more likely to have one or more chronic diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease than those of ideal body weight. All of these chronic diseases increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.
If the excess weight is mostly around the middle , you are more likely to develop obesity-related health problems than if the weight is around your hips . Waist size is one factor that indicates you are at higher risk of chronic diseases, including CKD.
Also Check: How Much Does A Kidney Go For
Special Steps For People With Diabetes
If you have diabetes, work with your dietitian to make a diet plan that allows you to avoid the nutrients you need to limit, while also controlling your blood sugar. If you do PD, keep in mind that PD solution has dextrose in it. Dextrose is a type of sugar. When you do PD, some of the dextrose is taken in by your body. If you have diabetes, it is very important to count the dextrose in your PD solution as extra sugar in your diet. Talk to your health care provider or dietitian if you have questions about managing your blood sugar if you do PD.
Avoid Salt As Much As Possible
Salt normally causes fluid retention to happen. However, the healthy kidneys are able to overcome the fluid retention and still get rid of the excess fluid through urine. So the last thing that a chronic kidney disease patient needs is salt to cause additional fluid retention. In addition, less salt in your diet means a lower risk of high blood pressure, which you should always tend to reach when you are struggling with chronic kidney disease.
Remember to avoid salt as much as possible. Buy fresh, seasonal foods instead of processed, packed foods that come with loads of added salt. Instead of salt, use the variety of fresh spices to improve the taste of your meals. Understand that salt is not your friend in this case, and as long as your kidneys require your help, you have to keep your salt intake as low as possible .
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Managing Your Weight Long
References1 Allon N. Friedman, Lee M. Kaplan, Carel W. le Roux, and Philip R. Schauer, Management of Obesity in Adults with CKD, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 32, no. 4 : 777-790, .2 Moira Lawler, 8 Ways Weight Loss Can Help Control Diabetes, Everyday Health, last reviewed November 10, 2020, .3Managing Weight to Control High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association, last reviewed October 31, 2016. .
Why Are Diet And Nutrition Important For Adults With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease
Healthy kidneys balance salts and minerals in the blood. When you have chronic kidney disease , the kidneys cant filter your blood the way they should. What you eat and drink can help your kidneys maintain a healthy balance of salts and minerals in your body and help you feel better.
Eating the right foodsand avoiding foods high in sodium, potassium, and phosphorusmay prevent or delay some health problems from CKD. What you eat and drink may also affect how well your kidney disease treatments work. Understanding how calories, fats, protein, and liquids affect the body is important for people with advanced CKD.
As CKD advances, nutritional needs change. Your health care professional may recommend you choose foods more carefully and may suggest you work with a registered dietitian to create an eating plan for your individual needs.
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