Which Foods Specifically Help To Repair Weak Kidneys?
by Rahul Kumar Health and MedicalKidney disease is a common problem affecting millions of people yearly. The kidneys are a small organ powerful enough to keep you healthy like any other organ. The kidneys are associated with the filtration process to keep the waste out of the blood in the form of urine. Not only this, they help balance the fluid levels in the body and produce variants of hormones to regulate blood pressure and generate RBCs. But like any other organ, they are prone to get damaged by certain conditions. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two dominating factors responsible for the development of kidney disease. Other less common but important factors responsible for the damage to the kidneys include obesity, smoking, gender, age, smoking, and alcohol, etc.
Uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension cause damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their capacity to function properly. When the kidneys are damaged, the waste from the food may buildup in the blood. Therefore, it is vital to keep up the kidney function with the help of a special diet.
A renal friendly diet or kidney diet is composed of nutrients that are easily processed by the kidneys. Some foods that are healthy for the normal person may not be good for those with kidney disease, so it is important to know what foods can help repair kidneys and what may not.
Components
of the kidney-friendly diet
Dietary restrictions for people with kidney disease may vary; it is recommended that all people with CKD may adhere to the following nutritional rules:
- Sodium. Almost all packaged foods contain sodium. Salt is a good source of sodium. Damaged kidneys may not filter out excess sodium, which can possibly result in sodium retention. If you have been health-conscious, you might know that sodium retention can result in hypertension level to rise even more during kidney disease. It is recommended that one should not consume more than 2,000 gm per day.
- Potassium. Potassium is another electrolyte that has a critical role to play in CKD. Those with CKD need to limit their potassium level to avoid possible complications such as palpitations or irregular heartbeats. Make sure you are consuming less than 2,000 potassium per day at this time.
- Phosphorus. Likewise, damaged kidneys may not remove excess phosphorus, a mineral in the body. So dietary restrictions are levied on CKD patients. Averagely, you should have less than 800 mg per day during CKD or as recommended by your dietician.
- Protein. Protein is yet another nutrient that people with kidney disease may need to look after. Too much protein in your diet can put your kidneys at work, so regulation is needed.
Foods
that can help mend kidney function
Apples
Let’s start with this tasty and yet healthy fruit. An apple a day keeps the doctor at bay; this is common but yet one of the powerful statements. An apple is healthy because it has an important fiber called pectin. Pectin work on reducing the risk factors associated with high blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Blueberries
Blueberries let you bloom even during kidney disease. They are one of the good sources of antioxidants you can have in your diet. These sweet fruits bed in them an antioxidant called anthocyanins, which protect the heart against disease, keeps blood sugar under control, and slow down the risk of cancers. Additionally, they are a healthy food to be added to a kidney-friendly diet as they are low in electrolytes called sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Red
grapes
Red grapes are good for a sweet tooth. They not only delicious but are a complete package of nutrition to the consumer. They are rich in vitamin C and contain antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoids are compounds found in many fruits and vegetables while they are also linked to reduced inflammation. Red grapes are too much in resveratrol, flavonoids that have been known to improve heart health and control blood sugar.
Garlic
Garlic is added to vegetables for its many health benefits. It is closely linked to the onion as it belongs to the Allium family. People with chronic kidney disease need to cut down excess sodium from their diet as this leads to sodium retention. In that case, using garlic can be thought of as a substitute. It is a good source of manganese, vitamin C, B6, and sulfur that offers many anti-inflammatory properties.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a nutritious vegetable being a good source of various nutrients, including vitamin C, K, etc. It can be a good replacement for mashed potatoes, rice, etc. They are rich in a range of nutrients but do not load the body with sodium, potassium, or phosphorus. It is also rich in fiber that is good for turning down the burden on the kidneys.
Cabbage
A vegetable that is packed full of
phytochemicals (a type of chemical compound) that help break up free radicals
before they can do damage the body. These phytochemicals are known to protect
the body against cancer and to promote heart health. Cabbages are also high in
vitamin B6, K, C, folic acid, and fiber. It can be added to a kidney diet
because they are low in potassium.
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Created on Jan 12th 2021 06:02. Viewed 236 times.