Kidney health depends on many factors, including nutrition. Here we offer you healthy and kidney-friendly foods, then we move on to comprehensive kidney health tips.
We’ll give you general nutritional advice for kidney health, but before making any changes to your diet, check with your doctor or dietitian to make sure your diet meets your nutritional needs.
Melissa Burst tells Health that dietary restrictions for kidney patients depend on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, a healthy, wholesome, low sodium diet is sufficient, especially if the patient has other diseases such type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. pressure. But as the disease progresses, “you’ll find that you need to start limiting protein, as well as foods high in potassium and phosphorus,” she says.
Here are eight foods that are good to include in your diet, regardless of the stage of your chronic kidney disease.
Spices:
All patients with chronic kidney disease should monitor their salt intake. “When your kidneys are damaged, they can’t control the amount of sodium in your body, which can lead to high blood pressure,” says Stacey Lisman, MD, a nephrologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. This, in turn, worsens kidney damage and increases the risk of heart disease.
Berries:
All berries are considered sources of food energy: they are rich in antioxidants and help lower blood pressure. It is low in potassium. “When people have very advanced kidney disease, certain nutritious foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can raise blood potassium to dangerous levels,” says Burst.
Eggs:
People with kidney disease should limit the amount of protein they eat. Because having too much protein can lead to a buildup of waste products in the blood, which puts a strain on the kidneys. But you need protein to maintain muscle mass and help your body fight infections.
Olive oil:
A kidney-friendly diet should be low in saturated fat. This makes healthy fats like olive oil a better choice for cooking. You can also use it in place of high fat salad dressings.
Cauliflower and Cruciferous Vegetables:
Avez-vous une envie de pommes de terre riches en potassium? Mangez plutôt de la purée de chou-fleur. Il est riche en fibres, mais pauvre en potassium et en phosphore, ce qui en fait un choix sain pour les patients insuffisants rénaux.
Water:
You may have heard that you should limit your fluid intake if you have kidney disease, but this is only true in the later stages of the disease when you need dialysis.
And water reduces the chances of developing kidney stones or urinary tract infections, both of which can damage the kidneys. Coffee and tea are also good and can be protective.
Refined grains:
Surprisingly, you don’t have to avoid white bread, pasta, rice, and other refined grains. Indeed, these foods can be beneficial for people with very advanced chronic kidney disease who must limit their phosphorus and potassium content.
garlic and onion:
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health lists garlic and onions, including leeks and chives. These are great options for seasoning foods if you have chronic kidney disease.
Apples:
It is a good source of pectin, a type of soluble dietary fiber that can lower cholesterol and glucose levels. Its skin is an important source of antioxidants that protect the body against free radical damage, and it is thought to play a role in protecting against cancer and heart disease.
Strawberry:
This delicious red fruit is a source of vitamins, antioxidants and fibre. The fiber and nutrients in strawberries help protect the heart, along with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Oily fish:
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential nutrients that our bodies cannot make, so we need to get them through the foods we eat.
These fatty acids have a role in reducing the risk of arrhythmias and triglyceride levels. Salmon is a prime source of omega-3 fatty acids and is also found in mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines.
For its part, the National Health Service in the United Kingdom offers the following advice to keep the kidneys healthy:
- Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids helps your kidneys work properly. Urine should be clear, and dark urine can indicate dehydration and lack of fluids.
- Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water a day, more in hot weather or during exercise, to replace fluids lost through sweating.
- Eat healthy as this ensures that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and grains such as wholemeal pasta, bread and rice. On the other hand, do not eat a lot of salty or fatty foods.
- Monitor and check your blood pressure regularly, even if you don’t have symptoms. High blood pressure can increase your risk of kidney and heart disease.
- If your blood pressure is higher than it should be, it needs to be treated, with lifestyle changes, medication, or both. An ideal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg.
- do not smoke.
- Maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight increases blood pressure, which damages the kidneys. Try to maintain a healthy weight by staying active and not overeating.
- Do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as walking, cycling, or swimming.
Source: Al Jazeera + websites