According to a health survey conducted in India, over 7.8 million people are suffering from kidney disease. Kidney disease is also known as renal disease. It is a health condition in which the kidneys are damaged and unable to perform their normal functions. The kidneys are two important bean-shaped organs in the human body. Kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and removing them from our bodies through urine. It helps to regulate the levels of electrolytes in the blood, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. It also produces hormones that regulate blood pressure and promote red blood cell production.
When the kidneys are damaged, they can no longer perform these important functions effectively. As a result, it builds waste products in the body. Kidney disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including uncontrolled diabetes, and high blood pressure. Sometimes it also leads to complete kidney failure and the person affected by it will need dialysis.
Early detection and treatment of kidney disease are important to slow its progression. This is why joining the best treatment for chronic kidney disease might help you to recover soon and also improves your overall health. It may involve lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet and performing physical activities.
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The Different Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease
The progression of kidney disease is based on the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). It is the measurement of kidney functioning. The GFR rate shows how much blood your kidney can filter in one minute. Based on this measurement, kidney disease is divided into five stages which are as follows:
Stage 1: Normal to high kidney functioning (eGFR greater than 90 mL/min)
Stage 2: Mildly decreased kidney function (eGFR 60-89 mL/min)
Stage 3A: Mild to moderately decreased kidney function (eGFR 45-59 mL/min)
Stage 3B: Mild to moderately decreased kidney function (eGFR 30-44 mL/min)
Stage 4: Severely decreased kidney function (eGFR 15-29 mL/min)
Stage 5: Kidney failure (eGFR less than 15 mL/min)
The earlier kidney disease is detected and treated, the better the chance of slowing its progression and getting back into a healthy life.
Symptoms Of Chronic Kidney Disease
The symptoms of chronic kidney disease may vary depending upon the type of stages. Some common symptoms of CKD include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dry, itchy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Changes in urine frequency
- High blood pressure
- Difficulty concentrating
Note – It's important to remember that these symptoms can also be a sign of any other health issue. So, you must always consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Why You Must Opt For A Kidney-Friendly Diet To Stay Healthy?
You might have heard of eating a healthy diet to improve your overall health. The same applies in the case of a person suffering from chronic kidney disease. Eating a kidney-friendly diet can be an important part of managing chronic kidney disease. A kidney-friendly diet is designed to help reduce the amount of waste and toxins in the body, which can help protect the kidneys from further damage. By eating a kidney-friendly diet, you can help keep your kidneys healthy and reduce your risk of developing chronic kidney disease. This diet involves limiting foods that are high in salt, potassium, and phosphorus, as these foods cause further damage to the kidneys. The chronic kidney disease diet food list includes foods that are high in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables.
But there are some fruits and vegetables that contain a high amount of minerals that are not good for kidney health. So, here we have curated a list of some foods to avoid with kidney disease. Continue reading to know more.
Food To Avoid In Kidney Disease
Bananas
Bananas are one of the high potassium foods to avoid with kidney disease. People with kidney disease may need to limit their potassium intake as the kidneys can't remove excess potassium from the blood. Hence, it is advisable to opt for some kidney-friendly foods instead of eating bananas.
Dairy Products
Dairy products are the top-most foods to avoid in kidney disease. These foods are a good source of protein, phosphorus, and potassium which can be harmful to kidney patients. Consuming large amounts of dairy can also increase the risk of bone breakage. Too much phosphorus in the blood can pull out calcium from bones making them weaker causing bone breakage.
Pickles
Pickles are another harmful food to avoid in chronic kidney disease. Pickles and any kind of fermented foods can be high in sodium. It can be harmful to people with kidney problems as their kidneys may not be able to remove excess sodium from the body.
Potatoes
Potatoes contain high levels of potassium and phosphorus, both of which can be harmful to people with kidney disease. Additionally, potatoes are high in carbohydrates, which can increase blood sugar levels. For these reasons, potatoes are considered as those foods that damage kidneys.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are included in the list of foods that cause kidney stones if eaten in a raw state. It is a high source of potassium which is not good for the kidneys. People with chronic kidney disease must avoid eating tomatoes. Tomatoes can give rise to acid build up in the body which results in bone and joint problems.
Processed Food
Eating processed foods can harm your kidney health. These foods contain high amounts of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats that can lead to a variety of health problems, including kidney damage. High salt intake can increase blood pressure, and sugar can contribute to the development of diabetes.
Spinach
Spinach is one of those foods that cause kidney stones as it contains oxalate. Oxalate is a compound that binds with calcium in the body and can form crystals in the kidneys. When these crystals become large enough, they can cause pain and decreased kidney function. Spinach is also not recommended in the kidney diet due to its high potassium content.
Cashew Nuts
Cashews are often considered healthy nuts because they contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. But you must limit the intake of cashews, as they are high in phosphorus, which can be harmful to the kidneys when consumed in excess. It is also one of those foods to avoid with kidney stones as it contains fairly high oxalate content.
Red Meat
Red meat is one of the most important foods to avoid if you have kidney stones. Consuming a large amount of red meat regularly has been linked to an increased risk of developing kidney disease. This is because red meat is high in animal protein, which can cause a buildup of waste products in the blood that the kidneys must filter. Additionally, red meat is also a source of purines, which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
Final Thoughts –
Making lifestyle changes and choosing a kidney-friendly diet can help reverse kidney disease. Foods that contain high amounts of potassium, phosphorus, and sugar can increase the risk of kidney disease. It's important to remember that everyone's nutritional needs are different. Thus, you must consult a healthcare expert to get proper advice on your health status. Adopting a healthy, balanced diet can play an important role in promoting your kidney health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Patient Diet
What Foods Must Be Avoided In Kidney Disease?
Avoid foods that are high in sodium, potassium, protein, and phosphorus to improve your kidney health.
What Foods Are Good To Eat For Kidney Disease?
Red grapes, bell pepper, apples, garlic, and onions are some kidney-friendly foods that you must include in your diet.
Which Fruit Is Good For Kidney Patients?
A kidney patient must include apples, grapes, and pineapple in their daily diet to stay healthy.
Which Dry Fruit Is Good For Kidney Patients?
Almonds are the best nuts to eat for kidney disease as they contain less phosphorus. As Almonds are full of vitamins such as vitamin E, K, and A, all of which play a protective role in the body which will protect the kidney from cellular damage. According to a new study, eating nuts 1-6 times every week can lower the risk of chronic kidney disease.
Is Sugar Bad For Bad Kidneys?
High sugar intake can contribute to diabetes, and high blood pressure, all of which can harm kidney health.
Is Papaya Good For Kidneys?
Papaya is a healthy and nutritious fruit that can be a good option for people with kidney disease if consumed in moderate amounts.
Which Vegetable Is Good For Kidneys?
Cabbage, turnips, carrots, capsicum, and radish are the best vegetables to include in a renal diet.
Can Kidney Patients Eat Rice?
Yes. Eating rice is a nutritious and safest option to maintain your kidney health as it is low in minerals.
What Breakfast Foods Are Good For the Kidneys?
You can eat fresh fruits like apples or ripe papaya for breakfast.
How Can I Improve My Kidney Health Faster?
To improve your kidney health you have to make some lifestyle changes. Start eating healthy foods, stay hydrated, reduce your salt intake, and exercise regularly.
What Protein Is Best For Kidney Disease?
Plant-based proteins can be a good option for people with kidney disease. These foods are low in phosphorus and can help reduce the strain on the kidneys. You can eat plant-based foods like lentils, chickpeas, and almonds to get healthy protein.
