What Should People With Kidney Failure Consider In Their Diet?

Taking care of your diet is important if you suffer from kidney failure. Thus, you prevent malnutrition and slow down the progression of that disease. Read more in this article.

What should people with kidney failure take into account in their diet?

People with kidney failure (especially its chronic form) need to make changes to their diet to stay healthy and reduce the accumulation of toxic substances in the body that the kidneys cannot eliminate. In this article, we will tell you everything you need on the subject.

People with renal insufficiency should take care of their diet

Patients with chronic kidney failure often get the wrong amount of protein from their food and may have other disadvantages in their diet. They should take into account a number of dietary recommendations to keep them as healthy as possible.

You must first be aware of the different degrees of illness. These include acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, and renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). In this article, we will explain how taking care of food helps with this disease and what nutritional guidelines are associated with it. However, they should be adapted to the patient’s condition.

Diet and renal insufficiency

The diet associated with renal insufficiency is considered very strict, as patients should limit or eliminate several food groups from their diet. However, if a patient is constantly on dialysis, his diet is less restrictive.

Protein volume control

Protein adjustment is important for patients with renal insufficiency.

Limiting the amount of protein in people with mild kidney failure slows the progression of the disease. Even though proteins make the kidneys work, all people should get protein. Experts recommend a moderate low-protein diet if the patient is not on dialysis. This means 0.8 kg of protein per day (60% high protein). If a patient is on dialysis, he needs more protein.

Reduction of potassium and phosphorus

If potassium accumulates in the blood, it increases the risk of heart abnormalities. Plasma potassium levels should be monitored by medical experts.

Persistent high levels of phosphorus in the blood also have a significant effect on bones. Protein restriction refers to a decrease in phosphorus content. It is therefore important to limit the amount of phosphorus in patients with kidney problems, if your doctor recommends it.

Ensuring proper intake of calcium and vitamin D.

Calcium deficiency due to vitamin D depletion is typical of its intestinal absorption. Vitamin D must be taken as a dietary supplement, as its deficiency can lead to atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, or ventricular hypertrophy. In a study published by Nephrology , experts suggest that vitamin D supplementation benefits blood vessels and is therefore a good idea for people with kidney problems.

Salt intake control

However, you should also consider other factors to keep your kidney failure under control. One such factor is sodium intake. It promotes the accumulation of fluids that the kidney cannot remove. If the patient does not suffer from high blood pressure, he should receive only 1-2 g of sodium per day.

Restriction of fluids

Patients with renal insufficiency should limit fluid intake, especially in patients on dialysis.

If the patient is on dialysis, fluid levels should be monitored, as people undergoing this treatment usually do not urinate frequently. So if they ingest a lot of fluids and do not excrete them, fluid can accumulate in the ankles and even the lungs and heart. It is also recommended that patients always check their weight on the same scale to ensure that the weight remains balanced during dialysis treatment.

Dietary guidelines for patients with renal insufficiency

The following guidelines should also be kept in mind to implement the above guidelines. However, it is best to talk to your doctor or nutritionist so that he or she can advise you appropriately according to your individual needs.

The intake of protein from meat, fish, dairy products and eggs should be tailored to each patient.
Patients should also regulate their intake of legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and cocoa. They are high in potassium, meaning that patients should avoid hyperkalaemia.
People with kidney failure should soak vegetables, legumes or potatoes in water for three hours before preparing them. Then they should be boiled a couple of times by throwing away the boiling water after each time. They are also best baked afterwards to reduce the water content.

Another way to eat vegetables is to eat them frozen. Patients can also eat canned fruit (up to twice a day).
It is also good to eat bread toasted as it contains less water.
Patients should limit their consumption of whole grain products as they are high in phosphorus and potassium.
Soft drinks should also be avoided, even if they are artificially sweetened. This is because they do not properly satisfy the feeling of thirst. They are also not particularly healthy!
Patients should also avoid highly processed foods, instant soups, sausages, smoked meats and fish , and ready-made snacks to keep the diet low in salt.
Reasonable consumption of whole milk products is important because of the phosphorus content they contain.

Summary

As you will surely realize, dietary care is important in patients with renal insufficiency and they should follow a strict diet. If you suffer from kidney problems, don’t hesitate to see your doctor so he or she can tailor your diet and treatment to your needs.