Diet Restrictions for Kidney Disease

People with kidney disease (also called renal disease) need to limit their intake of protein, sodium, potassium and phosphorous, to reduce strain on the kidneys and preserve heart, lung, bone and general health. People with moderate kidney disease have different nutritional and vitamin requirements than those on dialysis, however. Patients with diabetes and obesity may have special requirements as well.

Background

Kidney disease is defined as the kidneys' inability to filter waste products and fluids from the blood. A carefully calibrated diet can help reduce the amount of these substances you eat and help ensure that your kidneys continue to maintain your body's bones and red blood cells, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients. The diet you follow depends on the severity of your kidney disease and other conditions you may have.

Suggested Nutrient Levels

People with chronic kidney disease need a diet low in protein, sodium (salt) and potassium to reduce stress on the kidneys, The condition can lead to a build-up of phosphorous in the blood, decreasing blood levels of calcium, which may cause bone disease. (Vitamin D supplements can help strengthen bones.) The Mayo Clinic recommends that people with kidney disease limit phosphorous intake to 800 to 1,000 mg. per day.

Some calcium supplements will also bind phosphorous in the stomach to prevent it from entering the blood stream.

People on dialysis may become folic-acid deficient. A low-cholesterol and low-saturated-fat diet may counteract this. This may not be an option for those who are seriously underweight. People with advanced kidney failure are often severely anemic and probably need iron supplements.

Sodium/Fluid Intake

Because kidney failure can reduce the amount of urine the body produces--which, along with salt intake, can cause fluid retention--fluid and salt intake must be monitored.

Protein

Many kidney disease patients may need a registered dietician's expertise, because the your diet hinges on the progression of the disease . For example, someone not on dialysis should eat a diet low in protein, which contains high amounts of potassium and phosphorous (the breakdown of which produces the wastes in the blood the damaged kidneys can't eject). Patients on dialysis need to eat more protein and calories than those with a less serious stage of the disease, but the amounts of both must still be controlled.

Kidney disease patients should eat high-quality protein--found in soy, lean meat, poultry and fish--in small amounts throughout the day.

Carbohydrates

People with kidney disease who are trying not to lose weight--which can happen due to poor appetite during the early stages of dialysis treatment--should eat carbohydrates but avoid salty snacks. They can also eat oils and can eat honey or sugar as well if they are not diabetic, to gain or maintain weight. Overweight patients should limit the number of calories they eat, limit sugar intake and get enough exercise.

The types of carbohydrates you eat may depend on the stage of your disease. People with kidney disease should eat high-fiber foods to avoid constipation, but these may also contain high amounts of potassium and phosphorous.

Fats

Although essential, the amount of fat kidney disease patients may eat depends on their weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A diet low in saturated fats is best.