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From research, about 27 million American adults suffers from Kidney disease, affecting adult mostly. By comparison, adults are 30 times more prone to develop kidney disease than children and for every 80,000 children below the age of 20, only one might experience kidney disease. Kidney disease rank among one of the leading cause of death in the United States. Kidney disease is associated with a case where the kidney function has been altered due to damages caused by various factors and can no more perform its function properly. When your kidney is left untreated, a lot of damage can be done, the earlier you start attending to your kidney the better chance you have to effectively treat it. When you have kidney disease over a long period, and you are nonchalant about it, if the situation gets worsen, it can lead to a life treating health condition.
If you want to improve your kidney function, following a kidney diet may be the best option, a good kidney diet can delay total kidney failure and also bolster kidney function. Diet is a very important aspect of treatment for kidney disease and the impact can help you slow down the progression rate. People living with kidney disease must strictly stick to a good kidney diet to reduce the amount of waste/toxic in their blood so that the kidney can function effectively. Such as monitoring the consumption of sodium, phosphorus and potassium especially.
As an expert in this field, with many years of experience working a countless number of kidney disease patient and other related health, I am sure you will find a lot of useful information in this book. Countless number of kidney disease patient have been able to manage the physical symptoms and also deal with the emotional stress the consciousness or the thought of having kidney disease can bring. This is my professional advice. Respond quickly to treating your kidney at the early stage by making a solid changes to your eating lifestyle.
The kidneys are those two bean-shaped organs located inside your body, looking like the shaped of a bean, each about the size of a fist. They are located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage.
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE KIDNEY?
The various functions the kidney perform in the body can never be underrated, among which are, the filtering of wastes and extra water from the body. These excess fluid and waste product are discharged through your urine. The urine production involves a high degree of complicated steps to discharged waste and re-absorption. This steps are crucial in maintaining a stable and balance body chemicals. This hormone assist in the control of calcium metabolism and maintain blood pressure (erythropoietin, renin, and calcitriol), by producing life-sustaining chemicals. It also produce hormone that stimulates red blood cell production and keep your bones healthy and strong. The kidneys also discharge acid produced by the body cells and retain a healthy balance of salts, water and minerals—like potassium, phosphorus, calcium and sodium—in the blood. The hormone that the kidney produce also affects the role of other organs.
Each kidney has about a million filtering units called nephrons, and each of the nephrons contain "glomerulus". The glomerulus is responsible for purifying the blood by getting rid of waste from the bloodstream. The tube-shaped structure (tubule) give back needed substances to your blood and get rid of wastes. The glomerulus filters any blood that enters it and the remaining liquid go through the tubule.
A healthy and functioning kidney filters out about 200 quarts of blood per day, removes any excess water and the finished work is the urine that we discharge.
Function Of The Kidney
Regulate the body's fluids
Get rid of drugs from the body
Manufacture an create a form of vitamin D that improve strong and healthy bones
Discharge hormones that balance blood pressure
Regulate the manufacture of red blood cells
Get rid of waste products from the body
What is kidney disease?
Kidney disease is associated with a case where the kidney function has been altered due to damages caused by various factors and can no more perform its function properly. There are a lot of factors that can cause damage to your kidney, like high blood pressure, diabetes and series of any other chronic conditions. Living with a kidney disease untreated can cause a lot of damage and other related health problems- such as malnutrition, weak bones, nerve damage among others. Leaving kidney disease unattended to over a long period of time can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure. A dialysis would be one of the options or an option of a kidney transplant.
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Chronic kidney disease
This is a very common form of kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease summaries the gradual loss of kidney function over a long period of time especially when you have failed to treat in on time.
Cause of Chronic kidney disease
It is commonly caused by high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is dangerous to the kidney in a way that it elevates the pressure on the glomeruli. Glomeruli, which is responsible for cleaning the blood. But with a constant increase in blood pressure, these increment destroys these vessels which cause a decline in the kidney function.
Diabetes is another one of the many causes of chronic kidney disease. Diabetes is a kind of disease that cause high blood sugar. The constant increase in the level of sugar in blood pressure destroys these vessels which causes a decline in kidney function of properly cleaning the blood vessels. The effect is the kidney becomes overloaded with toxic.
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Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is deteriorating situation of the glomeruli. Glomeruli are tiny little structures located in the kidneys, their main responsibility is to filter blood. Glomerulonephritis can be a result of drugs, infections, or congenital abnormalities (are also known as birth defects, conditions present from birth). Mostly gets improves on its own.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones is also a widely known kidney problem. This is a situation where some substance and other mineral properties in the blood obstruct the kidneys, forming solid masses (stones).During urination, kidney stones are usually being excreted, they are not very painful though and hardly lead to any significant problems.
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Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney a kind of disease that is a genetic, caused by one or more abnormalities formed in the genome, as it proceed, it causes multiple cysts (a yellowish to white, oily fluid) to grow in the kidneys. These cysts are disturbance and can intervene the function of the kidney to provoke kidney failure. It’s necessary to understand that single kidney cysts are rarely common and do not have any significant problems. Polycystic kidney disease is a more serious and separate condition.
The Following Are Some Of The Symptoms And Warning Of Kidney Disease At The Early Stage:
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Trouble sleeping
Dry, scaly skin
Swollen feet/ankles
Frequent drowsiness or fatigue
Pain or pressure in your chest
Muscle cramping
Frequent urination, especially late at night
Coma
A reduced amount of urine
Difficulty concentrating
Confusion
Unexplained shortness of breath
Poor appetite
Fatigue
More severe symptoms that translate to kidney disease is developing into kidney failure:
(Hyperkalemia) Sudden rise in potassium levels
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Fluid retention
Persistent nausea
Anemia (a reduction in red blood cells)
Changes in urine discharge
Inflammation of the lining around the heart
Decrease sex drive
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What Is Kidney Transplantation?
A kidney transplant may be another treatment option depending on your circumstances.is an option of replacing a bad kidney for a healthy and functional one; so that it can filters toxins, excess water and solutes from the blood. This is done by two major ways, getting a kidney from a deceased or living donors. Deceased donor kidneys are gotten from people who already give out their kidney before their time of death. There is usually a sign document called organ donor cards. All kidney donations are screen thoroughly to find a perfect match and prevent transferring of any disease from the donated kidney.
Living donors are gotten from a spouses or immediate family members. Since one can live well with just a healthy kidney.
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What Is Dialysis?
Dialysis is treatment procedure that filters toxins, excess water and solutes from the blood in people whose kidneys can no longer carry out these functions naturally, using the help of a machine. Dialysis cannot cure kidney disease, but it can increase life span.
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People with diabetes.
People with high blood pressure.
People with a family history of kidney disease.
People who often use painkillers, including over-the-counter products such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
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How is chronic kidney disease treated?
There is no cure for chronic kidney disease. To treat kidney disease doctors are more focus on controlling what root cause of the disease is, they try to help you manage your cholesterol levels, blood sugar and blood level. These few steps may also be taken in early CKD to preserve an increased level of kidney function for an extended period of time:
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Keeping a regular appointment with your doctor: a kidney specialist (nephrologist) may be recommended.
Cut back on foods high in cholesterol
Treat anemia, if present
Avoid taking painkillers and other medications that can put the kidney at risk.
Best to quit smoking and limit alcohol drinking
Always endeavor to keep blood sugar under control
Consult a dietitian about starting a heart-healthy diet that includes whole grain, fresh fruits, low-fat dairy products and veggies. This also include cutting back on protein.
Eating to reduce blood cholesterol levels, and limiting potassium and sodium (salt) intake.
People with a more severe kidney condition may consider the option of a dialysis and kidney transplantation.
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What I usually advise my patient with kidney disease is to follow a good eating and healthy lifestyle (It is very important), such as monitoring the consumption of sodium, phosphorus and potassium especially.
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Sodium
A lot of foods that we either cook at home or buy at the restaurant have sodium in them. Sodium is a mineral found in salt, and we use it (Salt) mostly when preparation food. It is important to note this, to help manage your blood pressure, eat foods with less sodium and salt.
My personal advice is to limit sodium to between 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams per day. 20 percent daily Value or more means the sodium contained in the food is high.
Do not add salt on your meal when eating.
Best advice to stay away from canned food, but if you must eat canned soup, only eat soups label reduced sodium – and just eat one cup – do not eat a whole can.
Do away with prepared or packaged food, Foods bought from the restaurants or supermarket, because you may not know the amount of sodium contain in them
Avoid using salt when cooking food.
Use sodium-free seasonings, herbs, and spices, to replace salt.
Avoid foods that are high in sodium, 600mg for a complete frozen dinner.
Only eat canned “no salt added” vegetables.
Do not eat nuggets, lunch meats, sausage, hot dogs, or ham.
Do not use these types of salts such as “seasoned” salt, onion salt or garlic salt.
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Potassium
To assist your muscles and nerves work optimally, eat foods with the right amount of potassium. When blood potassium levels are too low or high, It can cause a possible heart attack due to changes in the way the heart beats.
Some fruits, vegetables, meat and milk may be high in Potassium, some have to be avoided and others taken in moderation.
Potassium-rich foods to avoid:
Tomatoes juice and tomato sauce
Oranges and orange juice
Bananas
Melons such as honeydew and cantaloupe excluding watermelon
Pumpkin
Winter squash
Prune juice
Grapefruit juice
Cooked greens, Swiss Chard, kale, spinach, collards.
Dried beans – all kinds
If you will love to eat Potatoes, but in moderation, best soaked in water for long hours, after cutting and peeling. Discard water and also cook with a lot of water.
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Phosphorus
Phosphorus can build up in your blood when the kidneys do not function adequately. To help protect your blood vessels and bones, choose drinks and eat foods that are low in phosphorus. For people that have Chronic Kidney Disease, phosphorus can easily build up in your blood which will cause lack of calcium in your bones. This can cause calcium to be pulled from your bones. Bone disease can make your bone weak or even break.
Dairy foods are major source of phosphorus, they should be taken with caution. Reduce milk to 1 cup per day.
White bread are better than whole grain breads
Some vegetables are high in phosphorus.
Avoid these kind of drinks: tangerine pineapple, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, colas, root beers, Beer Aquafina and Cool iced tea.
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Meat or Poultry |
Phosphorus Content |
Veal chop |
200 mg |
Turkey thigh meat, skinless |
170 mg |
Turkey breast meat, skinless |
185 mg |
Pork roast |
190 mg |
Pork chop |
200 mg |
Lamb chop |
185 mg |
Hamburger patty, 90 percent lean |
170 mg |
Chicken thigh, skinless |
150 mg |
Chicken breast, skinless |
190 mg |
Beef, pot roast |
155 mg |
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Phosphorus content for a 3-ounce portion, cooked:
Seafood |
Phosphorus Content |
Snow crab |
120 mg |
Shrimp |
120 mg |
Oysters, Eastern |
120 mg |
Lobster |
160 mg |
Sea bass |
210 mg |
King crab |
192 mg |
Rockfish |
195 mg |
Tuna, canned |
130 mg |
Yellow fin tuna |
210 mg |
Salmon, Atlantic farmed |
215 mg |
Mahi Mahi |
155 mg |
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Bread |
Phosphorus Content (1-ounce portion) |
White bread |
25 mg |
Sourdough bread |
30 mg |
Pita bread, white |
58 mg |
Light wheat bread |
38 mg |
Italian or French bread or rolls No baking powder |
28-29 mg |
Flour tortilla |
20-37 mg |
Flat bread |
48 mg |
English muffin |
52-76 mg |
6-inch Corn tortilla |
75 mg |
Bagel: cinnamon raisin, blueberry, plain, onion |
53-70 mg |
Rice or Pasta |
Phosphorus Content (1/2 cup portion, cooked) |
Pearled barley, Plain white rice, short |
43 mg |
Spaghetti |
42 mg |
Rice noodles |
14-28 mg |
Long grain or medium |
35 mg |
Macaroni |
40 mg |
Egg noodles |
50-60 mg |
Couscous |
20 mg |
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Dairy, Egg Whites and dairy Substitutes |
Phosphorus Content (1-ounce portion unless stated otherwise) |
Pasteurized egg whites, Unenriched rice milk |
15 mg |
With no calcium-phosphate |
29 mg |
Soy milk |
50-125 mg |
Sour cream, 2 tbsp |
20-40 mg |
Sherbet |
38 mg |
Non-dairy whipped topping, 2 tbsp |
0-10 mg |
Non-dairy creamer with no phosphate additives |
40-53 mg |
Almond Breeze, Almond milk, original |
50 mg |
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Snack Food |
(Plus Serving Size) |
Phosphorus Content |
Pretzels, unsalted |
1 ounce |
20-40 mg |
Fresh Strawberries |
1/2 cup |
18 mg |
Radishes |
1 |
9 mg |
Fresh Pineapple |
1/2 cup |
6 mg |
Peach |
1 medium |
10 mg |
Fig bar |
2 bars |
10-25 mg |
Low-sodium crackers |
1 ounce |
20-35 mg |
Fruit cocktail |
1/2 cup |
17 mg |
Fruit candies |
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Gummy or chews |
0 mg | |
Cherries |
1/2 cup |
15 mg |
Celery |
1 stalk |
10 mg |
Blueberries |
1/2 cup |
9 mg |
Baby carrots |
9 pieces |
25 mg |
Applesauce |
1/2 cup |
6 mg |
Apple |
1 medium |
10 mg |
Cheese |
(Plus Serving Size) |
Phosphorus Content |
Blue cheese |
1 ounce |
110 mg |
Cottage cheese, |
1/4 cup |
92 mg |
Cream cheese |
2 tbsp |
20-40 mg |
Feta cheese |
1 ounce |
96 mg |
Neufchatel cheese |
1 ounce |
39 mg |
Grated Parmesan cheese |
2 tbsp |
72 mg |
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Food type |
Average sodium amount per serving |
Vegetables, frozen or fresh, no added salt (summer squash, eggplant, cucumbers, carrots , broccoli, asparagus) |
0-85 mg (1/2 cup) |
Vegetables, low- or no-salt, canned, (mushroom, corn, carrots, asparagus mixed vegetables) |
5-35 mg (1/2 cup) |
Fruit, fresh (watermelon, tangerines, pineapple, pears, lemon, peaches, cherries, berries ,apples ) –––––––– |
0 mg (whole or 1 cup) |
