Maintain A Healthy Weight
Obesity is one of the risk factors most predictive of CKD onset. Ironically, the disease itself can lead to significant weight loss, as CKD can cause loss of muscle mass as it progresses. When weight loss in CKD patients occurs, they may need to focus on getting enough nutritionally dense calories to maintain a healthy weight.
Enjoy This Triple Berry Recipe
This summer, we want to make a difference for yourself or someone you love who struggles with kidney disease and enjoy this Triple Berry kidney-friendly smoothie recipe with multi-benefits.
-Ask your nephrologist and renal dietitian before preparing and consuming this recipe. Every person has different needs.-
You can also download the FREE FKP recipe book with 13 KIDNEY-FRIENDLY DELICIOUS SMOOTHIES that can be enjoyed with the whole family we created in collaboration with the Renal Dietitian, Chelsea Couceiro, RDN, LDN.
Limit Shellfish And Meat
Research has found that a toxin called domoic acid in shellfish and some fish that eat algae can harm kidneys in mice. People are not mice. But, the really troubling finding was that very tiny levels of the toxin could harm kidneys. Shellfish also have high levels of purines, which can be a problem if you have gout. So, it may be wise to cut back on shellfish if you eat it a lot.
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Diabetes And Kidney Disease: What To Eat
One meal plan for diabetes, another for chronic kidney disease . Find out how you can eat well for both.
If you have diabetes and CKD, youre definitely not aloneabout 1 in 3 American adults with diabetes also has CKD. The right diet helps your body function at its best, but figuring out what to eat can be a major challenge. Whats good for you on one meal plan may not be good on the other.
Your first step: meet with a registered dietitianexternal icon whos trained in both diabetes and CKD nutrition. Together youll create a diet plan to keep blood sugar levels steady and reduce how much waste and fluid your kidneys have to handle.
Medicare and many private insurance plans may pay for your appointment. Ask if your policy covers medical nutrition therapy . MNT includes a nutrition plan designed just for you, which the dietitian will help you learn to follow.
Diabetes and CKD diets share a lot of the same foods, but there are some important differences. Read on for the basics.
Supplements For People With Kidney Failure
Supplements help provide some of the vitamins and minerals you may be missing, either because you need to avoid certain foods or because your treatment removes some vitamins from your body. Your health care professional may prescribe a supplement made for people with kidney failure. You should only take vitamin, mineral, or dietary supplements that your provider has recommended. Over-the-counter supplements not recommended by your providers may be harmful to you.
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Nuts And Sunflower Seeds
Nuts and seeds are popular, healthy snacks for most people. However, for a person with kidney disease, they can be harmful.
A 1 ounce serving, or about 23 almonds, contains about:
- 208 milligrams of potassium
- 187 milligrams of potassium
- 168 milligrams of phosphorus
If you enjoy nuts and sunflower seeds, consider pairing them with other low-potassium and low-phosphorus meal options. Alternatively, choose nuts that are lower in phosphorus.
Macadamia nuts are a great choice for a kidney diet as they only contain around 104 milligrams of potassium and 53 milligrams of phosphorus per 1 ounce serving.
May Reduce Your Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors, including high blood sugar and cholesterol levels, that raise your risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes .
Research shows that macadamia nuts may protect against both metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
For instance, one recent review linked diets rich in tree nuts, including macadamia nuts, to reductions in fasting blood sugar levels.
The diets included in this review had people eat 13 ounces of tree nuts per day. They experienced significantly improved levels of hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control .
Furthermore, diets rich in monounsaturated fats which comprise 80% of the fat in macadamia nuts may help reduce risk factors for metabolic syndrome, especially in people with type 2 diabetes .
In general, nut intake is also linked to lower blood sugar and body weight in people with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes .
Summary Regularly eating tree nuts, including macadamia nuts, may reduce your risk of metabolic syndrome and contribute to lower, more stable blood sugar levels.
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Foods That Are Good For The Kidneys
In this article:
The kidneys play crucial roles in the bodys functioning. Therefore, it is essential to consume a healthy diet and implement lifestyle modifications in ways that promote kidney health.
Measures such as weight management and low salt and sugar intake should be taken. These help prevent hypertension and diabetes, which are the two leading causes of kidney problems.
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
Because testing GFR can be very complex, its often estimated. You may see this called an estimated glomerular filtration rate test.
eGFR uses the results from a blood test for creatinine, a waste product produced by your muscles. While creatinine production can vary by individual, high levels in the blood can potentially indicate decreased kidney function.
Once the result of the creatinine test is obtained, a lab technician or doctor will calculate your eGFR. Your eGFR is an estimate of your kidney function thats also based on information like your age and sex.
In the United States, a different version of the formula is generally used when calculating eGFR test results for Black people. However, this modified test, known as the race-adjusted eGFR, has been criticized for lacking a sound scientific basis. Many experts now suggest that the use of race-adjusted eGFR tests may be contributing to health inequities for Black people.
Because eGFR is one of the major tools that a doctor can use to assess kidney function, researchers are working to develop eGFR tests that are inclusive and unbiased. Newer eGFR tests that include both creatinine and a protein called cystatin C may be more accurate, according to 2021 research.
The creatinine-based eGFR test is
- conditions that cause muscle atrophy
- having very high muscle mass, such as in bodybuilding
- following a vegetarian or low meat diet
In these cases, a doctor may opt to use other tests to assess your kidney function.
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Choose Whole Grain Carbohydrates
Eating too many carbs can lead to weight gain. When you have kidney disease, it is best to choose whole grains and healthy carbs such as fruits and vegetables. Unhealthy carbs include sugar, honey, hard candies, soft drinks and other sugary drinks.
If you have diabetes, you may also need to carefully track how many carbs you take in. Your dietitian can help you learn more about the carbs in your eating plan and how they affect your blood sugar.
The ketogenic diet or “keto diet” is a type of low-carb diet that focuses on eating very low carbs, high fats and moderate protein amounts, so your body uses stored fat for energy instead of carbs. This diet may not be a healthy option for you because it limits your options, and you may miss out on some key nutrients. If you have questions about a specific diet, ask your dietitian.
What Food Items Should You Limit In Kidney Disease
Many food items that are part of a typical healthy diet may not be right for you if youre suffering from kidney disease. If you are diagnosed with kidney disease, your doctor may recommend limiting certain food items such as
Depending upon the stage of your kidney disease, your doctor will advise you to reduce the potassium, phosphorus and protein levels in your diet.
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What Foods Help Repair Kidneys
If you have chronic kidney disease, it is crucial to track food and fluid intake because diseased kidneys cant remove waste products from the body like healthy kidneys can. Here are kidney-friendly foods that can help repair your kidneys and help you stay healthier longer
Other food items that you can have include
- Cranberries
- Tortillas
What Happens During A Gfr Test
To test your GFR, your doctor will refer you for a blood test.
When you get a blood test, a medical professional will use a small needle to draw your blood, usually from a vein in your arm. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing.
A technician at the testing lab will test your blood sample to find out how much creatinine is in your blood.
Things get a little more complex from here. Your creatinine level can provide information about your kidney function, but it isnt the same thing as your GFR. So, to find out your GFR, your creatinine test results are plugged into a math formula with other variables like your age and sex. This step is usually completed by a technician at the testing lab or by your doctor.
The result is known as your estimated GFR, or eGFR.
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Swiss Chard Spinach And Beet Greens
Most leafy green vegetables, including Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens, are not recommended on a kidney diet due to their potassium content.
For example, 1 cup of cooked spinach contains around 839 milligrams of potassium, which is nearly half of the daily recommended amount for someone with stage 3 chronic kidney disease.
Opt for lower potassium green vegetables such as green beans, asparagus, lettuce, and celery to limit your daily potassium intake.
Choose Foods With The Right Amount Of Potassium
When your kidneys are not working well, your potassium level may be too high or too low. Having too much or too little potassium can cause muscle cramps, problems with the way your heart beats and muscle weakness.
If you have kidney disease, your doctor or dietitian may tell you to lower the amount of potassium in your eating plan.
Use the lists below to learn foods that are low or high in potassium.
Foods low in potassium
- Apples, cranberries, grapes, pineapples and strawberries
- Cauliflower, onions, peppers, radishes, summer squash and lettuce
- Pita, tortillas and white breads
- Beef and chicken
- Avocados, bananas, melons, oranges, prunes and raisins
- Artichokes, winter squash, plantains, spinach, potatoes and tomatoes
- Bran products and granola
- Beans
- Brown or wild rice
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Foods To Limit With Kidney Disease
Depending on the amount of kidney function you have left, you may need to limit or avoid certain foods. Everyone with kidney disease should avoid high-sodium foods. Depending on your blood test, your healthcare provider may also instruct you to limit foods high in potassium and phosphorus.
Foods high in sodium:
- Ham, bacon, sausage, or lunch meat
- Pickled foods
- 1 slice angel food cake
- Water, apple juice, or other kidney-friendly beverage
May Promote Heart Health
Eating fiber-rich foods, like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, promotes heart health.
Bulgur is no different. Multiple reviews have linked whole grains to a lower risk of stroke, heart disease, and heart failure, among other chronic diseases (
12 ).
While fiber is often thought responsible for these effects, plant compounds in whole grains may also play an important role .
Bulgur wheat is a rich source of both fiber and phytonutrients, which may help improve your blood sugar control .
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Protein And Fluid Intake
Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps build muscle, repair tissue, and fight off infection.
When a person with healthy kidneys eats protein-rich foods like meat and dairy, it breaks down into waste within the body and is filtered out by the kidneys. When the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, they have difficulty removing the extra waste from extra protein.
The amount of protein a person with kidney disease needs varies based on:
- Body size
- Progression of kidney disease
- Amount of protein found in the urine
Most people with stage 1 or 2 kidney disease should limit their protein intake to 0.8 grams per kilogram of their ideal body weight.
To slow the progression of stages 3â5 kidney disease, the National Kidney Foundation KDOQI guidelines recommend:
- An adult without diabetes who is metabolically stable to restrict protein to 0.55â0.60 grams per kilogram of body weight per day under close medical supervision.
- An adult with diabetes who is metabolically stable to restrict protein to 0.06â0.08 grams per kilogram of body weight to promote glycemic control and maintain stable nutritional status.
Most people will not need to restrict fluid intake during early kidney disease . However, as the disease progresses, you may need to limit the liquid you consume because your kidneys cannot remove excess fluid. This can lead to fluid buildup in the body, causing a strain on the heart and swelling throughout the body.
What Does An Abnormal Gfr Mean
If your GFR is below 60, it may be a sign of kidney disease, which means your kidney function may be impaired. Youre not likely to notice other symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease, so getting tested is important if youre at an increased risk.
In later stages, the symptoms of kidney disease can include:
A GFR of 15 or lower is a sign of kidney failure. This is when your kidneys stop being able to effectively filter wastes and extra fluids from your blood. People with kidney failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
Its also possible for GFR to be very high in some people. This is called glomerular hyperfiltration. In some people with glomerular hyperfiltration, GFR can go as high as 180.
Glomerular hyperfiltration can happen in the early stages of diabetes. Although additional research is needed to fully understand the significance of glomerular hyperfiltration, its believed to be associated with an increased risk of kidney damage.
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Eat The Right Amount And The Right Types Of Protein
Having too little protein can cause your skin, hair and nails to be weak. But having too much protein can make your kidneys work harder and cause more damage. This happens because when your body uses protein, it makes waste products that your kidneys have to filter. To stay healthy and help you feel your best, you may need to adjust how much protein you eat.
The amount of protein you should eat depends on your body size, activity level and health. Your doctor or dietitian may have you limit protein or change the type of protein you eat. For example, you may need to eat more lean proteins, which are foods that are high in protein and low in fat, such as whole eggs and skinless chicken and turkey.
Ask your doctor or dietitian how much protein you should eat and what the best types of protein are for you.
Will I Get Enough Vitamins On A Kidney
Your doctor or dietitian can help you find vitamins that are right for you. To help you get the right amounts of vitamins and minerals, your dietitian may suggest you take:
- A special supplement made for people with kidney disease
- A special kind of vitamin D, folic acid or iron pill, to help prevent some common side effects of kidney disease, such as bone disease and anemia
Regular multi-vitamins may not be healthy for you if you have kidney disease. They may have too much of some vitamins and not enough of others.
Tell your doctor and dietitian about any vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter medicines you are taking. Some can cause more damage to your kidneys or cause other health problems.
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Low Hemoglobin Symptoms You Need To Know
Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein which functions as a carrier of oxygen throughout the human body. Hemoglobin can be found in the red blood cells. There are billions of cells in the human body, and each cell requires oxygen to function properly. Insufficiency of hemoglobin in the body affects the …
Keep Slim To Help Your Kidneys
Being too heavy raises your blood pressure, which is bad for your kidneys. Try to keep yourself at a healthy weight by keeping active and not overeating.
Your body mass index is a helpful way of checking whether youre a healthy weight. You can use the healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, cycling or swimming, every week.
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Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
Kidneys perform an important role in waste regulation, electrolyte balance, and the production of certain hormones. As the incidence of chronic kidney disease increases due to the increase in chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, its important to look at the lifestyle factors that may be impacting the kidneys. With chronic kidney disease, in particular, diet is one of the most vital lifestyle changes to consider and a well-planned plant-based diet may be helpful in preventing or slowing the progression of the disease.
Tell us in the comments:
- Whats your favorite kidney-friendly food?
- What lifestyle change would most benefit your kidneys, and why?
- What food shape do you think will be the next fad in swimming pool design?
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