Eating the appropriate amount of certain foods may help decrease the buildup of waste products in the blood and ease the strain on the kidneys. And as the disease progresses, a person may benefit from food adjustments. A dietician can provide guidance on whether a person needs to take further measures based on blood test results.
Individuals with kidney disease may benefit from adjusting and keeping track of how muchTrusted Source of the following they consume:
- Water and fluid intake: Keeping track of fluid consumption is essential to help prevent excessive fluid buildup, which can strain the kidneys. A person will need to balance fluid intake with fluid output.
- Sodium: Monitoring sodium and salt intake is important to help manage blood pressure and fluid retention, which can worsen kidney function.
- Protein: Tracking protein intake is necessary to avoid excessive waste production and strain on the kidneys. Managing protein consumption may help maintain kidney function and prevent complications.
- Phosphorus: Managing phosphorus intake is vital to help prevent mineral imbalances and bone health issues, as impaired kidneys may have difficulty regulating phosphorus.
- Potassium: A person should limit their potassium intake. This is because kidney failure leads to impaired excretion of potassium. High potassium can affect heart and muscle function.
- Supplements: Keeping track of any prescribed or recommended supplements is important to ensure a person takes them as directed and that the supplements do not interact negatively with kidney function.
- Calories: Monitoring calorie intake helps maintain a moderate weight, which can positively affect overall health and kidney function. Each person is different when it comes to how many calories they should consume in a day.
