Nutrition In Case Of Renal Insufficiency

Proper nutrition is particularly important in case of renal insufficiency in order to avoid a lack of nutrients and to prevent the disease from progressing as far as possible. You can learn more about this topic in today’s article. 

Patients with renal insufficiency, especially if it is chronic, need to adjust their diet accordingly to ensure that the body receives all the necessary nutrients and to reduce the accumulation of toxins that the kidney cannot excrete. Learn more about proper nutrition for kidney failure today  .

Nutrition in case of renal insufficiency

Patients with chronic kidney failure often suffer from malnutrition, which is lacking in calories and proteins. This also enables an excellent prognosis for mortality and morbidity to be made. It is therefore important to know all the dietary needs that exist in kidney failure in the various stages of development. This is the only way to counteract a lack of nutrients.

There are  different degrees of severity of this disease:  the acute or chronic condition, or the extensive or complete failure of the kidney functions, which makes renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) necessary. In today’s post you will find various nutrition tips that are generally recommended for people with kidney failure. But it is always important to consider the individual situation and to adhere to the recommendations of the attending physician.

Nutrition in case of renal insufficiency

In the case of renal insufficiency, the diet must be very strict,  as several food groups must be limited or eliminated entirely. If it’s a dialysis patient, the nutritional plan isn’t quite as limited.

Reduce protein intake

Protein restriction can slow the progression of the disease in moderate renal impairment. Proteins force the kidneys to work excessively,  but they are important nutrients. Experts therefore usually recommend moderate hypoprotective diets of 0.8 g / kg / day (with a 60% share of biologically valuable proteins) if the patient is not on dialysis. Dialysis patients can take in more proteins.

Reduce potassium and phosphorus

Too high a level of potassium in the blood increases the risk of heart problems. Therefore, the potassium levels need to be checked. Too much phosphorus in the blood adversely affects the bones. For this reason, too, it is important to reduce protein intake, as this can also lower phosphorus levels.

Take sufficient calcium and vitamin D.

A lower vitamin D level means that  less calcium is absorbed in the intestine. It is therefore important to supplement vitamin D, as a deficit could trigger atherosclerosis, endothelial disorders, or ventricular hypertrophy. A study published in the journal Nephrology found that supplementing with vitamin D may have vascular benefits.

Control salt consumption

It must also be taken into account that salt can lead to fluid retention, especially in the case of renal insufficiency , because the kidneys cannot properly drain the fluids. In the absence of high blood pressure, the daily consumption is usually reduced to 1000 to 2000 mg.

Limit fluid intake

If the  patient is on dialysis, the fluid intake must be controlled,  because in this case the urine production is low. If dialysis patients drink a lot and the fluid cannot be excreted in the urine, it will accumulate in the ankles and sometimes in the lungs or heart.

It is therefore advisable to always weigh yourself with the same scale to check that the weight does not increase during dialysis.

How do I eat if I have kidney failure?

In order to put the declared measures into practice, it is necessary to consider the following recommendations. The best thing, of course, is to consult a nutritionist who can create an individual nutrition plan. 

• The amount of protein is specially tailored to each patient,  which means that the consumption of meat, fish, dairy products and eggs is restricted.
• In addition, you need to control your consumption of legumes, vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, and cocoa, as these are high in potassium. The point is to avoid hyperkalemia. 
• If you eat vegetables, legumes, or potatoes, you should put them in water for three hours before cooking them. Then you cook these products twice, pouring off the cooking water each time. It is also advisable to sear the vegetables briefly afterwards to reduce the liquid content. 
• Another option is to eat frozen vegetables. You should eat canned or cooked fruit, but no more than two servings a day.
• Toast the bread before eating to reduce the water content.

• Limit your consumption of whole grains as they are high in phosphorus and potassium. 
• Avoid sweetened soft drinks (with sugar or other sweeteners) as they cannot quench thirst properly.
• Avoid industrially manufactured products  such as soups or puree, sausage products, meat, smoked fish or packaged snacks in order to reduce salt consumption.
• Only consume whole milk products in moderation as they are high in phosphorus.

As you can see, when you have kidney failure, nutrition is complex. You should definitely seek help from your doctor and a nutritionist!