Kidney Diet - Kundan Kidney Care Centre

Chronic kidney patient may need to make changes to their diet. These changes include limiting fluid, limiting salt, potassium, phosphorus and eating low-protein diet. Further changes in diet may be required if the kidney disease gets worse or a regular dialysis is required.

As the urine output may also be impacted, it is a good idea to limit the fluid intake in kidney disease patients. Without passing of urine, fluid can build up in the body and can cause fluid accumulation in heart, lungs and ankles.

You may consult your physician and/or dietitian about your ideal weight and design your diet accordingly. Weigh yourself often to keep track of your goals.

Protein: Your may be asked to go on a low protein diet before you start dialysis. This may change once the dialysis is started. People on dialysis may required to eat up to 10ozs of high protein food each day.

Calcium and Phosphorus: These two minerals go hand in hand and are checked very often in kidney patients. Even in the early stages of this disease, the level of calcium can go low and phosphorus can go high.

High phosphorus level can also cause itchiness and low level of calcium can cause body to pull calcium from the bones making them weak and easy to break. You may need to take calcium pills to prevent bone disease and take vitamin D to keep the balance between calcium and phosphorus in the body.

Dairy foods contains large amount of phosphorus, this includes milk, cheese, yogurt. You can look for labels where the dairy products have lower amount of phosphorus. To address high phosphorus you may also be prescribed the phosphorus binder.

Potassium: Potassium is another electrolyte that should be aware of. Fruit and vegetables are a good source of potassium. You will need to look for items that are low in potassium. Higher levels of potassium can cause dangerous heart rhythms.

Avoid orange juice, nectarines, kiwis, raisins, dry fruit, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, prunes, avocado, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkin, spinach, asparagus as they are high in potassium.

In the early stage of the chronic kidney disease you may not be required to limit the intake of fluid however, as the disease progresses, you may be required to limit the amount of fluid you can drink. To avoid the thirst – you may avoid salty snacks and stay cool on hot days.

Iron: Advanced kidney disease can also cause anemia and patients in this case may require iron supplements. This can be addressed via iron supplements or by taking the Erythropoietin (EPO) injections.

Health, Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease, Risk Factors

Red meat may trigger kidney malfunction – study

KundanKidneyCare July 29, 2016

Crispy bacon, a juicy rib eye steak, or beef burger – these mouthwatering red meat delicacies have long been accused of being bad for health. Unfortunately, a new study based on 15 years of research now claims to back that theory with scientific evidence.

Risk of kidney failure significantly increases with constant red meat consumption, a new study conducted at the National University of Singapore suggests.

“Red meat intake is strongly associated with ESRD risk [end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure] in a dose-dependent manner,” the study’s abstract says.

More than 60,000 adults from Singapore took part in the long-term research. They were divided into several groups according to how much red meat they consumed. Constant follow-ups showed that around 1,000 participants developed kidney failure.

The people in the group claiming to eat the largest amount of red meat had a 40 percent higher risk of experiencing kidney failure compared to those consuming moderate amounts.

Luckily, not every type of protein has been found harmful to kidneys, and those who look after their muscles can still get their needed protein fix from poultry, fish, eggs, or dairy products, thus reducing the risk.

“Our study shows that red meat intake may increase the risk of ESRD in the general population and substituting alternative sources of protein may reduce the incidence of ESRD,” according to the study.

This, however, doesn’t mean that people should “avoid red meat like poison,” but finding a substitute for at least one meal with red meat a day is not a bad idea, the study’s senior author, Woon-Puay Koh, told Reuters Health in an email letter.

“Current guidelines recommend restricting dietary protein intake in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease to help reduce symptoms and slow progression to end-stage renal disease,” Koh also noted.

An estimated 500 million people suffer from chronic kidney condition, some of whom need constant dialysis procedures or a kidney transplant, researchers noted.

It was previously thought that people with kidney problems who eat red meat on a daily basis could encounter problems with a substance known as urea building up in their bodies, because if a person’s kidney’s aren’t working problem, it is not sufficiently expelled in their urine.

The new study stresses that there is no evidence that red meat causes kidney conditions, but it apparently contributes to the pathological process.

*article source – https://www.rt.com/news/353781-red-meat-kidney-failure/

Health, Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease

All about Blood Pressure Medication

KundanKidneyCare March 8, 2016February 7, 2019

Have you tried changing your lifestyle to help your blood pressure only to find it isn’t helping very much? Sometimes lifestyle changes alone aren’t as effective as when combined with blood pressure medication.

There are many different kinds of blood pressure medications out there today. Usually two different medications are used rather than one alone. Here are some of the main blood pressure medications:

• Alpha-Blockers: This medicine reduces nerve impulses to your blood vessels allowing easier flowing of the blood making your blood pressure decrease.

• Alpha-Beta-Blockers: These work just like the alpha-blockers but also slow your heart beat. This means less blood pumps through your vessels making your blood pressure decrease.

• Nervous System Inhibitors: This medication relaxes your blood vessels by controlling the nerve impulses making your vessels wider and decreasing blood pressure.

• Beta-Blockers: These reduce your nerve impulses to your heart and blood vessels, making your heart beat decrease while dropping your blood pressure.

• Diuretics: These are also known as ‘water pills,’ a very common medication. These diuretics work in your kidney, flushing out all excess sodium along with water from your body.

• Vasodilators: These open your blood vessels directly by relaxing the muscle in your vessel walls which then causes your blood pressure to decrease.

• ACE Inhibitors: ACE stands for ‘Angiotensin converting enzyme.’ These inhibitors prevent a hormone called angiotensin II from forming, which will usually cause your blood vessels to narrow. They help the vessels relax which makes your blood pressure decrease.

• Angiotensin Antagonists: These block your blood vessels from angiotensin II. When blocked these vessels can widen letting your blood pressure decrease.

• Calcium Channel Blockers: These keep any calcium from entering your heart’s muscle cells and your blood vessels causing your blood pressure to decrease.

An alternate to taking any medication if possible is watching a few lifestyle habits. For instance a healthy diet can help control your blood pressure. Substitute salt for other seasonings and add lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Get at least thirty minutes of physical activity or exercise a day. That doesn’t mean you have to exercise thirty minutes all at once. Ten minutes here and there is just as effective.

Try to keep your stress level at a minimum. High stress can increase your blood pressure so find something that relaxes you and helps you de-stress. Do this whenever you find yourself stressed out beyond your means.

Try to cut back on tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Quitting altogether is more beneficial but isn’t always easy. Remember there are many resources and products available to help you quit either of these habits.

Sometimes these lifestyle changes will not work alone. We may prescribe you a blood pressure medication. Just talk with us to find out what would be better for you and your blood pressure. Ask any and all questions and if you are taking other medications please share that information. Certain medications including oral contraceptives and cold medicines can increase your blood pressure.

Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease

Phosphorus and Kidney Diet

KundanKidneyCare December 3, 2015 Leave a comment

Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

Dealing With Anemia From Kidney Disease

KundanKidneyCare August 20, 2015

India - Haridwar - 010 - vegetables for sale in Bara Bazaar — Ask your doctor if diet can increase your iron levels

If you think the kidneys have little to do with the composition of your blood, think again. There are reasons why anemia (a lack of sufficient red blood cells) is a problem that plagues kidney disease patients. It isn’t just that kidneys filter wastes from the blood and flush them from the body. The fact is that the kidneys themselves are partly responsible for the blood’s very composition.

Kidneys play an active role in maintaining the body, and one way is to produce a hormone called erythropoietin, or EPO. This hormone signals your body to create more red blood cells. But of course, when the kidneys become compromised, they are less able to make the hormone. And virtually inevitably, those with kidney disease will develop anemia as a result.

How severe the anemia will be, and how early it becomes noticeable, depends on several other factors:

whether the person is female;
whether the person is of African descent;
whether they have diabetes;
which of the five stages of kidney disease they are currently in.

As soon as someone shows slight signs of kidney problems, it’s a good idea to have blood tests as well, to find out if there’s already an issue with anemia. In fact, regular blood tests are a good idea anyway, because sometimes anemia is someone’s first sign that they even have kidney disease in the first place. But whether the kidney problems were diagnosed first, or the anemia, this problem can’t just be left untreated. A lower supply of red blood cells makes the heart work harder, and this can lead to heart disease. And that’s the last thing someone needs when they’re already dealing with kidney disease.

Treatment for anemia needs to happen in conjunction with treatments for the kidney disease. Usually the doctor will prescribe drugs called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, or ESAs. These injections made under the skin help the body create more red blood cells. And since iron is also needed for making the cells, the patient will need iron pills, and might also want to eat more iron-rich foods.

Nobody should have to fight through the lethargy and weakness of anemia while engaged in a primary fight against kidney disease. And nobody should add heart disease to that battle either, by ignoring the anemia. These three conditions are closely intertwined, so if the anemia can be dealt with, it can only help both the heart and the kidneys as well.

Kidney Diet

Special Diet Necessary for Early Stage Kidney Disease

KundanKidneyCare June 4, 2015

If you have been diagnosed with early stage kidney failure it is best to stay on a special diet that would help slow down the loss of kidney function. This special diet will consist of more starches and sweets to help you maintain weight and protect muscle tissue.

Although more fats and carbohydrates seem to look like an “unhealthy diet,” it will protect you from malnutrition when you’re at the initial stage of kidney failure. Following a special diet will also help control waste products in the blood during the later stages of kidney failure. A renal dietician recommended by your nephrologist can help you draw meal plans.

Protein, phosphorus and sodium intake need to be monitored and controlled at the early stage of the disease.

Large amounts of protein is found in poultry, meat, seafood, eggs, milk and cheese while smaller amounts are found in plant sources like cereals, breads, grains, fruits and vegetables.

Protein is a vital component in muscle building and repairing tissues. Unused protein becomes waste called “urea,” which an impaired kidney will have difficulty of eliminating. A build up of urea is toxic to the body which is why the protein intake of those in the first stage of kidney disease should be closely monitored.

Meanwhile, there is also a need to keep track of the phosphorus level in your blood since an impaired kidney has difficulties in cleansing high levels of phosphorus. A high level of phosphorus leads to calcium loss from the bones, making them weak and brittle. The right renal diet keeps track of your phosphorus intake.

The following foods have high phosphorus content: cocoa, beer and pop, nuts and peanut butter, milk, yogurt, yogurt, ice cream and pudding, dried beans and peas and lentils. To lower phosphorus intake it is recommended that you use milk substitutes and non-dairy creamers.

It is common knowledge that too much sodium or salt is bad for the health. This is the reason that even in preserving foods, salting is less likely to be recommended compared to drying or freezing. Too much consumption of sodium causes high blood pressure and kidney diseases. To stay on track avoid the consumption of the following: canned goods, fast foods, table salts, chips, soups and processed cheese, pickles, smoked and cured foods like spam, luncheon meat, ham and the all time breakfast favorite – bacon.

A low-protein diet means that higher calorie consumption is needed to maintain energy. A renal dietician may recommend the following: increased saturated fats such as olive oil and mayonnaise type salad dressings, sugar or sweets like jam or jelly, honey, marshmallows, jelly beans, gum drops, canned fruits and frozen fruits. Those who are diabetic or obese should consult with their dietician.

Altering your diet may be difficult but it is essential in slowing down the loss of kidney functions. It will also be beneficial in the later stages of the disease.*

Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre

Potassium and Sodium, Another Key Electrolyte Pair

KundanKidneyCare May 29, 2015

Potassium and Sodium form another electrolyte pair that relate to each other and face connected problems when affected by kidney disease. First of all, these two chemicals form a specific balance of fluids inside and outside of the cells of the body. Potassium is highly concentrated inside cells, while sodium is more highly concentrated outside.

While sodium regulates fluid levels throughout the body itself, the sodium-potassium inside-outside chemical balance of the cells is very important. This balance creates an electrically charged potential at the cell membrane. And it’s this electrical potential that is crucial to such things as heart function, muscle contraction, and the transmission of nerve impulses. If these chemicals are thrown out of balance, it’s clear that people could suffer anything from heart problems to weak muscles or even nerve problems.

The kidneys serve a vital function in keeping these electrolytes balanced, excreting excess amounts so the body stays regulated. But what happens if there is more of a particular chemical in the body than the kidney can possibly eliminate? We see this question coming more and more to the forefront as the North American diet, in particular, is increasingly swamped with sodium. Excess sodium can lead to fluid retention, high blood pressure, and kidneys that become so overworked that they start to falter or even fail.

At the same time, if the kidneys aren’t able to function at full strength, and can no longer eliminate potassium in the way they are supposed to, people can begin to experience a condition known as hyperkalemia. This promotes further buildup of fluid in the body, but its worst effects have to do with the heart. It may result in a weak or irregular heartbeat, and a difficulty controlling the muscles. At its worst, it can lead to problems with breathing, weakness, or cardiac arrest. But like so many conditions related to kidney function, it often shows no symptoms at all until the kidneys are already severely compromised.

Doctors need to be careful in trying to rebalance sodium and potassium. When patients receive diuretics that promote urination, to remove excess sodium, they sometimes experience depleted potassium, which creates further nerve, heart, and muscle problems. Yet a lack of balance can damage the kidneys – and damaged kidneys can throw the balance even further out. It’s far better to eat a healthy diet and promote kidney health to begin with, than scramble to try to fix these electrolyte imbalances after they arise.

Kidney Diet

What are Electrolytes?

KundanKidneyCare May 13, 2015

Electrolytes are the smallest of chemicals that are important for the cells in the body to function and allow the body to work. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and others are critical in allowing cells to generate energy, maintain the stability of their walls, and to function in general. They generate electricity, contract muscles, move water and fluids within the body, and participate in myriad other activities.

The concentration of electrolytes in the body is controlled by a variety of hormones, most of which are manufactured in the kidney and the adrenal glands. Sensors in specialized kidney cells monitor the amount of sodium, potassium, and water in the bloodstream. The body functions in a very narrow range of normal, and it is hormones like renin (made in the kidney), angiotensin (from the lung, brain and heart), aldosterone (from the adrenal gland), and antidiuretic hormone (from the pituitary) that keep the electrolyte balance within those normal limits.

Sodium: Sodium is a component of salt. 2.5 grams of salt provides 1 gram of sodium. Although salt is the major source of sodium in our food, sodium is also a component of other ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate used in baking and monosodium glutamate used as a flavour enhancer. It helps regulate the fluid balance in your body. Processed food also has high amount of sodium, this includes, smoked meats, processed cheese, ham, bacon, sausage, corn chips, pickles, pretzels, potato chips, salted nuts etc. Some items may not taste salty but are very high in sodium e.g. canned soups, ketchup, mustard, relishes and other canned food.

When it is recommended to limit your salt intake, there are other ways to add flavour to your food. Herbs and spices can be used in meal plans. Try to find pure spices and avoid the one that are mixed with salt.

You may use garlic, pepper, onion, paprika, vinegar and wine.

Potassium: It regulates nerve and muscle function. In renal failure patients it is very important to understand this element. Increased level may cause itchiness, heart trouble and restlessness.

Main source of Potassium are bananas, avocadoes, dried beans, dried fruits, milk, nuts, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, peas etc. If you report shows high level of potassium, we recommend dipping the vegetables in hot water for at least 15 – 20 mins, spills the water and then cook them.

Calcium and Phosphorus: These minerals work hand in hand to keep your bones strong and healthy. In renal failure patients kidneys are not able to filter out the phosphorus completely. Imbalance in these two may cause bone disease, calcification of arteries and organs including the heart.Phosphate binders are recommended to address the excessive phosphorus in blood.

Main source of Phosphorus are cheese, milk, yogurt, dried beans, nuts, chocolate and soda drinks.

Magnesium: Magnesium is an often forgotten electrolyte that is involved with a variety of metabolic activities in the body, including relaxation of the smooth muscles that surround the bronchial tubes in the lung, skeletal muscle contraction, and excitation of neurons in the brain. Magnesium acts as a cofactor in many of the body’s enzyme activities.

Magnesium levels in the body are closely linked with sodium, potassium, and calcium metabolism; and are regulated by the kidney.

Symptoms of magnesium imbalance involve the heart with rhythm abnormalities, muscles with weakness and cramps, and the nervous system, potentially causing confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.

Bicarbonate (HCO3): This electrolyte is an important component of the equation that keeps the acid-base status of the body in balance.

Water + Carbon Dioxide = Bicarbonate + Hydrogen

The lungs regulate the amount of carbon dioxide, and the kidneys regulate bicarbonate (HCO3). This electrolyte helps buffer the acids that build up in the body as normal byproducts of metabolism. For example, when muscles are working, they produce lactic acid as a byproduct of energy formation. HCO3 is required to be available to bind the hydrogen released from the acid to form carbon dioxide and water. When the body malfunctions, too much acid may also be produced (for example, diabetic ketoacidosis, renal tubular acidosis) and HCO3 is needed to try to compensate for the extra acid production.

Measuring the amount of bicarbonate in the blood stream can help the health care practitioner decide how severe the acid-base balance of the body has become.

Kidney Diet

Why Diet is Important?

KundanKidneyCare May 13, 2015

It is very important for people with chronic kidney disease to understand that the key to good health is good nutritional and balanced food.

Kidney failure patients need to modify their diet. Each patient has different needs; this leaflet will give a general idea about how you may determine the intake of certain nutrients such as protein, calories, potassium, sodium, phosphorus and liquids. You may need to modify or tweak these guidelines to best suite your condition

Calories: This is the fuel for the body to function properly. Right amount of calories from different sources are required to keep your body healthy.
Protein: Protein is used to build and repair tissue. The best sources of protein are dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry (chicken, turkey etc.) and lentils.

Carbohydrates: This also provides the fuel to the body in the form of starches and sugars. The main sources are breads, cereals, fruits, grains and vegetables. Diabetic patients must watch their diet to control their blood sugar.

Fat: Fat is a nutrient. It is crucial for normal body function and without it we could not live. Not only does fat supply us with energy, it also makes it possible for other nutrients to do their job. Certain kinds of fat may also be recommended for patients concerned with their lipid levels.

Potassium: It regulates nerve and muscle function. In renal failure patients it is very important to understand this element. Increased level may cause itchiness, heart trouble and restlessness.
Main source of Potassium are bananas, avocadoes, dried beans, dried fruits, milk, nuts, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, peas etc. If you report shows high level of potassium, we recommend dipping the vegetables in hot water for at least 15 – 20 mins, spills the water and then cook them.

You may use garlic, pepper, onion, paprika, vinegar and wine.

Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre

Kidney Disease and Packaged Foods

KundanKidneyCare May 10, 2015

Nephrologists in India have concluded that one thing those with kidney disease should avoid is packaged foods. And needless to say, this precaution doesn’t just apply to India. Pre-packaged foods, full of preservatives and other chemicals, are prevalent all over the world. So this caution applies in many other countries as well.

Doctor K.C. Prakash, a senior consulting nephrologist for the Apollo Hospitals in India, reminds people of the bad effects from some of these extra chemicals in packaged food. He notes that one effect of eating a lot of this food is an increase of potassium in the body. Those suffering from chronic kidney disease or renal failure have less ability to eliminate potassium. Therefore, if they accumulate too much potassium, it could result in heart problems or outright heart failure.

Another problem with packaged food is that it tends to be much saltier than freshly cooked food. Extra salt is one thing that helps preserve these meals, after all, to extend their shelf life. Yet it’s a well-proven fact that too much salt can cause or worsen hypertension (high blood pressure), which also puts a strain on the kidneys.

There are other substances in these foods, such as phosphorus, that cause problems with other parts of the body. But for people in renal failure or even in the early stages of kidney disease, the salt and extra potassium alone should be enough to set off alarm bells. Checking labels to find the actual contents in packaged food can be a real eye-opener.

These cautions are helpful for both kidney patients and those with healthy kidneys. Eating fresh, healthy foods is almost always recommended for achieving or maintaining good health. This information about how packaged foods can affect people with kidney disease just provides one more reason.

(Further information: Times of India, December 29, 2010)

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Category Archives: Kidney Diet

CKD and diet

Red meat may trigger kidney malfunction – study

All about Blood Pressure Medication

Phosphorus and Kidney Diet

Dealing With Anemia From Kidney Disease

Special Diet Necessary for Early Stage Kidney Disease

Potassium and Sodium, Another Key Electrolyte Pair

What are Electrolytes?

Why Diet is Important?

Kidney Disease and Packaged Foods