Crucial Diet in Treating Kidney Problems

Kidney disease may be either a primary condition, such as kidney stones, or a consequence of other disorders, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, or diabetes—all of which can severely damage the organ’s blood vessels. Older men are susceptible to kidney infections stemming from enlargement of the prostate. Pregnant women and people with diabetes are vulnerable to infections of the urinary tract. Side effects from drugs are common and preventable causes of serious kidney disorders.

Old School
People with kidney stones should cut down on calcium-rich foods.
New Wisdom
Adequate calcium intake actually reduces the risk of calcium oxalate stones.

Kidney stones form when crystalline minerals and acid salts stick together and form clumps in the kidneys. This common condition occurs when your urine contains more of these substances than the fluids in the urine can dilute. Symptoms include intense pain in the side and back, below the ribs; pain when urinating; pink, red, or brown urine; or urinating more than usual. Inflammation of the kidney—known medically as nephritis—may result from a bacterial infection or a number of other causes, including side effects of drugs. Kidney infections, like stones, require a doctor’s intervention and must be treated with antibiotics. 10% of people ages 20 and older in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease.

Kidney failure may be either a temporary response to acute shock or injury or a severe long-term state necessitating drastic treatment. Acute kidney failure may be caused by severe infection, burns, poisoning (including drug effects or interactions), surgery, or kidney injury. When the problem is resolved, function usually returns to normal. Chronic kidney failure may be caused by untreated hypertension, poorly controlled diabetes, or an inborn condition. Severe chronic, or end-stage, kidney failure requires regular dialysis—in which a machine removes waste products from the blood—or where possible, a kidney transplant.

Nutrition Connection
Diet is crucial in treating kidney problems. If you have a serious kidney disorder, your doctor will probably refer you to a clinical dietitian for advice concerning changes to your diet. The allowable types and portions of foods differ, depending upon the type and severity of the kidney disorder. Here are some basic guidelines:
-Drink lots of fluids to prevent kidney problems. Healthy people can prevent kidney disorders by drinking plenty of liquids to flush the urinary system and replace lost fluids. If you have had kidney stones, regardless of the type of stone, it’s essential to drink enough liquids to maintain fluid balance and flush away the minerals that accumulate to form stones. People who have had nephritis and are prone to urinary tract infections may benefit from a daily glass of cranberry juice, which helps prevent recurrences. Lemon juice, which contains citric acid, has been shown to decrease urinary calcium excretion.
-Limit foods high in oxalates but don’t reduce essential minerals if you have kidney stones. Most kidney stones contain calcium oxalate. Although it’s not entirely clear that reducing your intake of calcium-rich or oxalate-rich foods reduces the risk of forming stones, you may want to limit them somewhat. Oxalate-rich foods include berries, soybeans, dark green leafy vegetables like beet greens, whole grains like quinoa, chocolate, and tea. Protein is also known to play a role in the formation of stones, possibly by increasing the acidity of urine. However, eliminating all of these foods depletes the diet of essential vitamins and minerals, so don’t take a drastic approach.
-Follow these general recommendations, in case of kidney failure. Restrict phosphorus, potassium, protein, and salt. Fluids must be monitored: too little, and the electrolytes are out of balance; too much, fluid retention causes edema and electrolyte problems and contributes to high blood pressure and perhaps congestive heart failure. Protein consumption needs must be adjusted as kidney function, dialysis, or stress levels change. Studies show that if protein intake is limited to about 0.5 g per pound (1 g per kg) of body weight per day, the patient on dialysis will receive the essential amino acids but reduce the risk of further kidney damage. Proteins from fish, egg whites, and legume and grain combinations are preferable to those in meat because they contain less saturated fat.
-Seek specialized care. Kidney failure requires highly specialized medical care. No changes in diet should be made without a doctor’s approval.

Beyond the Diet
In addition to dietary changes, the following considerations may be part of preventing or managing kidney disease:
-Seek help sooner, rather than later. If you suspect you have kidney stones, see a doctor right away.
-Watch your medications. Acetaminophen, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the nonprescription drugs that can damage kidneys. Combining aspirin and acetaminophen is especially damaging.
-Recurrence of kidney stones can be prevented with medications that address the specific types of mineral stone your body is prone to making. Talk to your doctor.