A Kidney Disease Diet that WORKS!

A kidney disease diet is becoming far more popular nowadays as a treatment for kidney disease patients and in a large number of cases this particular diet is reversing the symptoms of kidney disease.

Why would your kidneys need help?

Well, your kidneys have three main tasks. As part of the filtering system for your blood, they remove waste materials from the blood and dispose of them in the form of urine. They also control the salt and water in your body and finally they produce hormones that help red blood cells and keep your bones healthy.

If your kidneys have a disease all the work that they have to do becomes affected and they do not remove waste materials out of the body which in turn allows these wastes to build up.

If you’re wondering where the waste comes from then here is a rough guild without using technical terms. Waste comes from the food we eat. Our food is made up of proteins, fats and starches. When we eat food, the body digests it. The blood absorbs the digested food and takes it to all the cells to be used.

After each cell uses the food it needs, it puts the waste back in the blood. The blood then takes the waste to the kidneys. The kidneys filter the waste into the urine. When you have kidney disease, the waste is not filtered and builds up in your body instead.

How does the build-up of wastes affect you?

You will more than likely experience some symptoms like loss of appetite, loss of weight, less energy and feel tired easily and you may hold extra salt and water in your body causing swelling.

How can a specific kidney disease diet help?

If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease then you will need to make some adjustments to your diet. The main items you will need to take stock of are Protein, Potassium and Phosphorus. You will also need to regulate the amount of sodium which is the main ingredient of salt.

Below is some information that may help with your kidney disease diet. You will probably have your own dietician who will work closely with you but this stuff will give you a start.

Protein in you Kidney Disease Diet

Proteins are responsible for growth and they build and repair muscles and other tissue. There are various foods that contain protein such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese and milk. These are classed as quality proteins. Some low quality proteins would be bread, pasta, cereal, rice and vegetables.

Protein when used by your body produces a waste product called urea. This can build up in your body and make you feel unwell, loss of appetite and itchy skin. A kidney disease diet will moderate the amount of protein you have allowing your kidney filters to work more efficiently in removing the urea.

The Kidney Disease Diet and Potassium.

Potassium is a mineral found in food, it helps your nerves and muscles work better. Your heart needs potassium for a strong beat. Your kidneys once again filter the excess potassium into your urine. If your kidneys aren’t functioning properly then potassium will build up in your body and cause your heart to beat erratically and a worst case scenario, your heart would stop!

A sign of high potassium in your body would be that your legs feel weak and like rubber. Sometimes there are no symptoms. Foods that are high in potassium:

All fruit, vegetables and their juices contain potassium. Some have more potassium than others. Milk and milk products such as yogurt, pudding, ice cream and buttermilk are also high in potassium. Potatoes are very high in potassium. Avoid baked potatoes or potatoes cooked in a microwave because all of the potassium stays inside the potatoes. Avoid scalloped and instant mashed potatoes as well as French fries.

All is not lost you still can have potatoes, you just have to prepare and cook them differently.

Resources: Kidney Diet Foods and the Kidney Diet Secrets Review

To find out what other foods you may need to think about as part of your kidney disease diet take a look at Kidney Diet Secrets