Nutrition And Kidney Failure: Everything You Need To Know
People who suffer from kidney failure, especially in its chronic form, need to introduce changes in their diet that guarantee to maintain a good nutritional state and reduce the accumulation of toxic substances that the kidney is not able to eliminate. Here we teach you everything you need to know about nutrition in kidney failure.
Nutrition and kidney failure
In patients with chronic renal failure, protein-calorie malnutrition is frequent, according to this study from Sharma University; furthermore, this is a good predictor of mortality and morbidity. Therefore, knowing the dietary needs of patients with kidney failure at different stages of their evolution is important to prevent malnutrition.
It should be known that there are different degrees of the disease : acute renal failure, chronic renal failure and renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). In this article we will give general nutritional guidelines based on information from the National Kidney Foundation of the United States for the disease, but it must be customized based on the phase in which the patient is.
Diet in kidney failure
The diet for kidney failure is considered strict, since you have to limit or eliminate several food groups. Although if the patient is on continuous dialysis, the diet is not as restrictive.
Control the amount of protein
Protein restriction in moderate renal failure slows disease progression. Proteins put excessive strain on the kidney, but they are necessary to be well nourished. Moderate hypoprotein diets of 0.8 g / kg / day (60% of high biological value) are currently recommended if the patient is not on dialysis. If you are on dialysis, these requirements are increased.
Reduce potassium and phosphorus
If potassium accumulates in the blood, it increases the risk of presenting alterations in the heart. Plasma potassium levels should be monitored. A long-term high level of phosphorus in the blood greatly affects the bones. Protein restriction already supposes a reduction in phosphorus.
Ensure the consumption of calcium and vitamin D
With respect to the calcium There is lack of intestinal absorption of vitamin D reduced. Vitamin D should be supplemented, since a deficit can cause atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and ventricular hypertrophy. In this study conducted by the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (United States), it was suggested that supplementation with vitamin D would have a vascular benefit.
Control the salt intake
Other factors that must be taken into account in the nutrition of kidney failure is to control sodium, since it favors the retention of fluids that the kidney cannot eliminate. If you do not have hypertension, it will be restricted to about 1,000-2000 mg / day.
Limit fluid intake
If the patient is on dialysis treatment , fluid intake should be controlled, since people with this treatment tend to urinate little. So if large amounts of fluid are taken and not expelled, they can accumulate in the ankles and even in the lungs and heart. It is advisable to always weigh yourself on the same scale, to check that you do not gain weight during dialysis sessions.
Nutritional keys in kidney failure
To carry out the guidelines explained above, it is necessary to follow the following keys in terms of nutrition. Of course, the ideal thing is to consult directly with the nutritionist so that he or she advises the diet based on the needs of each one.
- Adapt to each patient the consumption of proteins found in meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.
- Control the consumption of legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts and cocoa, since they are the foods richest in potassium. This in order to avoid hyperkalemia.
- When taking vegetables, legumes or potatoes, keep them in water for three hours before cooking, and then boil them a couple of times eliminating the cooking water. It’s also a good idea to sauté them later to reduce the water content.
- Another method of eating vegetables is to eat them frozen. Canned or cooked fruits, limiting your intake twice a day.
- It is better to have toasted bread because they have less water.
- Limit the consumption of whole grain products due to their high content of phosphorus and potassium.
- Avoid drinking soft drinks, even if they are sweetened, because they do not properly eliminate the feeling of thirst.
- Do not consume ultra-processed foods, soups and purees, sausages, smoked meats and fish and packaged snacks, in order to properly follow a low-salt diet.
- Consume whole dairy products moderately, due to the amount of phosphorus they have.
As you have already seen, nutritional treatment in this disease is complex, so do not hesitate to go to a specialist to personalize your situation.
