Kidney Failure: Avoid High Potassium Foods

Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to eliminate all of the waste from the blood. When failure occurs, people receive dialysis treatments. Dialysis removes the excess waste by filtering the blood through a machine. Following a renal diet can help decrease the amount of waste made by the body, thereby improving kidney function.
Potassium is a mineral that controls nerve and muscle function. Most important, it affects how steadily the heart beats. It is also responsible for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance. Healthy kidneys promote a healthy potassium level within the blood. In renal failure, potassium can rise to a dangerous level because the kidneys are not able to regulate it. The best way to control potassium levels in the blood is to avoid high potassium foods.
Potassium is found in many foods, but it is most abundant in fruits and vegetables.
Fruits high in potassium include bananas, oranges, papayas, prunes and cantaloupe.
Vegetables such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes and avocados are also high in potassium.
Other high potassium foods include milk, yogurt, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, dried peas and beans, turkey and salmon. While these foods do not have to be completely avoided, smaller portions and moderation are recommended.
A renal patient should consume a variety of foods, but in moderation. Several low potassium foods can be used in place of high potassium foods. For example, a patient may eat apples instead of cantaloupe or cucumbers in place of broccoli.
If you would like to know more about kidney failure management, please email to khkpcn@hotmail.com.

Low Protein Diet for Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

In Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), patients are generally suggested to eat a low protein diet. In this article, we will talk about this issue in details.

Protein serves to maintain muscle mass and support your immune system. Urea is a by-product of protein breakdown by the liver. Your kidneys take the urea and produce urine for excretion of waste products. Reducing your protein intake reduces the amount of urea produced and, thus, the workload of the kidneys. However, for stage 3, a dietitian will usually recommend eating a healthy diet with protein at the level of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, the same level recommended for all healthy people. One kilogram of body weight is equivalent to 2.2 lb.

Because your protein intake is more limited, your physician will recommend choosing the very best protein sources, meaning those that are low in fat and eaten with minimal waste produced in the body. Examples of protein sources that meet these criteria include fish and eggs. You also can add protein powders to oatmeal or cereal to increase your protein intake.

Phosphorus
Stage 3 CKD can affect your bones, so your physician may recommend limiting your phosphorus intake because excess phosphorus can rob the bones of calcium. Foods that are high in phosphorus include dairy products, dried beans, nuts, peanut butter and beer. Your physician also may recommend taking a medication called a phosphate binder that helps to reduce the amount of phosphorus your body absorbs.

Sodium
Sodium is another factor that must be monitored when you have stage 3 CKD because you may be beginning to experience some effects related to poor fluid regulation. Excess sodium in your diet can attract fluids in the body. To reduce your sodium intake, avoid processed foods like hot dogs and frozen foods, in which sodium is used as a preservative.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K may have to be taken in water-soluble form. Switching to water-soluble forms prevents buildup of these fat-soluble vitamins. Increasing the availability of vitamin D in water-soluble form is helpful as your kidneys may not be able to convert UV light into the active form of vitamin D.

Fluid Restrictions
Fluid isn't restricted on the stage 3 diet for chronic kidney disease. Stage 3 chronic kidney disease doesn't warrant a change in how much fluid and water you drink per day. For more information, please Email us at khkpcn@hotmail.com.

Recommended Foods for Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Specific dietary arrangements depends on patient's personalized illness condition. Proper diet can help slow down the progression of kidney disease and even reverse the problem. What diet should a Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patient follow?

Protein
Eating more protein than you need is taxing on your kidneys because they help remove excess protein from your body. Try to reduce the amount you eat by limiting your portion sizes and choosing lower-protein options such as chicken drumsticks, egg substitute or tofu instead of chicken breast, tuna or ground beef.

Sodium, Potassium and Phosphorus
Too much sodium can cause swelling and raise your blood pressure, which can further damage your kidneys. You should limit your sodium intake by reducing the amount of processed salty foods you eat such as fast food, frozen meals, canned soups and vegetables, lunch meats and cheese.

Additionally, when your kidneys are damaged, your potassium level may be too high or low. Too much or too little potassium can cause muscle weakness and cramps, and irregular heartbeat. Reduce your potassium intake by selecting low-potassium produce, such as apples, carrots, green beans and berries, instead of high-potassium foods such as bananas and potatoes.

When your kidneys are not working well, phosphorus can build up in your blood, causing weak bones that can break easily. You should reduce your phosphorus intake by limiting dairy, cola, beans, nuts and processed meats.

Your tastes may change when you develop kidney disease and as such, you may need to work with a nutritionist to find ways to get the calories you need to maintain your weight. As your kidneys have more difficulty removing extra water from your body, you may need to reduce your fluid intake. For more information about the best diet for your disease, please email us at khkpcn@hotmail.com.

List of Foods and Drinks to Improve Kidney Function Naturally

As with all of your organs, your kidney health and function can be directly tied to your nutrition. Certain foods and nutrients may help to improve kidney function.
Calories and Protein
Severe loss of renal function may require you to limit the amount of protein you eat. If this is the case, you will need to adjust the amounts of other foods that you eat to replace the calories that you losing from minimizing protein intake. Generally, increased intake in fruits and vegetables are good replacement foods for loss of protein.
Low Salt and Phosphorous
By reducing the amount of sodium-cased salts that you eat, you can better control your blood pressure. Foods that are high in phosphorous may also overwhelm your kidneys and lead to a condition called hyperphosphatemia, which is excess blood phosphorous. People with kidney disease should limit themselves to no more than a 1,000 mg of phosphorous per day.
Fruits
Apples are high in antioxidants and relatively low in potassium and sodium. Apples are also high in fiber and help to reduce inflammation, which can improve kidney function. All types of berries are considered super-foods because they contain phytonutrients, nutrients from plants that contain protective compounds. Berries, such as blueberries, cranberries and strawberries, are also low in potassium and high in antioxidants, which can help to protect against free radicals, a group of highly reactive atoms that can cause damage to cells. Red grapes and cherries are also healthy fruits for kidney functions.
Vegetables
Many vegetables can help to improve kidney functions, as long as they are low in potassium. Red bell peppers, for example, are a good source of vitamins C, A and B-6, folic acid, fiber and the antioxidant lycopene. Cabbage contains phytonutrients that help break up free radicals and prevent certain diseases. Cauliflower is high in vitamin C and fiber and contains compounds that can help improve kidney functioning. Onions are another super-food that is high in antioxidants that can help prevent certain diseases, including diseases of the kidneys. All of these vegetables are low in potassium.
Generally, beverages and fluid intake should follow the same conditions as that applied to food requirements. However, total fluid intake may need to be reduced in the advanced stages of kidney disease. Management of kidney function should also be done under the consideration of other diseases an individual may be suffering from, including hypertension and diabetes. Adjustments to your nutritional intake should be done in accordance to your restrictions and schedules used to manage these other conditions, which include careful monitoring of your blood glucose and your blood pressure. For more information, please email to khkpcn@hotmail.com.

List of Foods to Avoid with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

If you know you have chronic kidney disease (CKD, you can help your kidneys function with greater efficiency by reworking your diet and avoiding specific foods.

High Potassium
If a patient's potassium level increases, the dietitian may reduce the amount of high-potassium containing foods in the diet. Oranges, melons, potatoes, sweet potatoes and bananas all are foods that should be eaten in moderation or avoided in patients with chronic kidney disease.

High Sodium
Patients with chronic kidney disease should eat low sodium or no-salt foods and avoid high-salt products. Canned vegetables and soup, hot dogs and snack foods like chips and crackers should be consumed in moderation as well.

Foods with High Phosphorus Levels
Decreasing the number of high phosphorus-containing foods that a person eats can help the kidneys by lowering the amount of the mineral that the kidneys have to eliminate from the body. Examples of these foods include milk, hard cheeses, ice cream, peas, lentils, starchy vegetables and chocolate.

Saturated Fats
People with chronic kidney disease should avoid unhealthy fats like saturated and trans fats that can increase cholesterol levels and lead to clogged arteries. Red meats, poultry, whole milk, cookies and cakes all contain saturated fats or trans fats and should be avoided. A dietician can work with the patient to find ways to increase intake of healthy fats like corn or olive oil.

If you would like to know more information, please email us at kidneyservice@hotmail.com.

Herbs Used to Reverse Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

When suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), the filtration of toxins is not performed fully, and some herbs that would regularly be beneficial to the kidneys, such as bayberry, parsley and dandelion, may worsen the condition. There are safe and effective herbs that can help restore kidney health by bringing tone back to the kidneys, stimulating blood flow and helping remove excess toxins without any harmful side effects.
Select organic herbs. This is specifically important for kidney disease, because non-organic herbs contain harmful chemicals that will be hard to filter out of the bloodstream.
Fill a medium pot with four cups of filtered water and bring to a boil.
Measure 1/2 oz. organic dry hydrangea root, 1/2 oz. organic dry gravel root and 1/2 oz. organic dry burdock root and bring to a boil. Cover the pot, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the herbs simmer for 15 to 20 minutes (a method known as decoction).
Strain the herbs into a thermos. Drain out as much water from the plant material as possible.
Pour a cup of this decoction and take three times a day.
Toss used plant material into a compost bin or throw in normal trash bin.
Repeat this process every day for a month and review your kidney health to make sure the herbs are helping.
For more information, please email to khkpcn@hotmail.com.

How to Reverse Chronic Kidney Disease Naturally

Can Chronic Kidney Disease be Reversed? The exact answer to this question depends on the kidney failure stages. Decreased kidney function is reversible. Removing the obstruction causing acute renal failure, treating diabetes and blood pressure can reverse kidney damage up to some extent. However, it should be noted that these methods help in prevention of further deterioration of the kidneys. However, if the kidneys have been damaged significantly, the doctor may suggest dialysis or transplant.
How to Reverse Chronic Kidney Disease Naturally
Firstly, as mentioned above, diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of this condition, it is essential to bring these conditions under control. Diabetes should be controlled by following the diet and taking medicines at proper time. Similar is the case with high blood pressure.
Secondly, you should have a healthy diet with fresh foods and avoid eating processed foods as they are high in sodium, which damages the kidneys. One should avoid salty, high sodium containing, high protein containing foods as they can exert pressure on the kidneys.
Thirdly, one should exercise regularly to bring the weight under control. At the same time, it is essential to cut down on smoking and alcohol consumption.
If the damage is in the initial stage, it can be reversed by following the above mentioned methods. Lastly, note that it is essential to undertake regular checkup to monitor the functioning of the kidneys. For more information, please email to khkpcn@hotmail.com.