Can Kidney Function Be Improved with Diet

Diet changes are needed when kidney function is impaired, so many patients are curious and wonder if kidney function can be improved with diet. If yes, so what is the diet to improve kidney function?

Can kidney function be improved with diet?

When our kidney function is affected for some reasons, we will be asked to make some diet changes like regulate protein intake and reduce salt intake to help with kidney. (Consult online doctor for individual diet advice).

For kidney disease patients, diet changes are needed not because foods recommended for patients can help to improve kidney function, but because proper diet plan helps to reduce kidney burden, so as to avoid worsening kidney condition. For instance, for kidney disease patients with high blood pressure, high-salt diet will cause further elevation of blood pressure which is very harmful for kidneys. Therefore, to protect residual kidney tissues, low-salt diet is needed. For another instance, kidney is always accompanied with proteinuria which is the presence of excess protein in urine. For kidney disease patients, high protein diet not only increase kidney burden, but also worsen proteinuria problem, so limiting protein intake is necessary for kidney disease patients.

What is the diet for people with impaired kidney function?

Although kidney function can not be improved simply with diet and not medical condition, it is necessary for kidney disease patients to have a scientific diet, so as to avoid accelerating illness progression. Well, what is the diet for people with impaired kidney function?

1. Low-salt diet

For kidney disease patients, high-salt diet not only increases kidney burden, but also triggers elevation of blood pressure which can cause further kidney damages. Therefore, staying far away from salted foods, processed foods and various sauces is necessary.

2. Low-protein diet

Low-protein diet is also recommended for kidney disease patients who are not on dialysis. Exact daily protein intake is usually measured according to kidney condition. Besides, high quality protein which can be found in lean meat, fish, milk and egg white are recommended as they can provide our body with necessary nutrient and meanwhile add less burden on kidney.

3. Potassium intake and phosphorus intake

Kidney disease causes electrolyte disturbance easily. High potassium level in blood and high phosphorus level in blood are the most commonly one. For people with high potassium and phosphorus level in blood, they should avoid eating foods high in potassium like banana as well as foods high in phosphorus like almonds.

Lastly, to protect residual kidney condition, diet changes are needed and also the exact diet plan should be made on the basis of specific kidney condition. You can send the test report to kidneycares@hotmail.com. Our nephrologist will help to analyze illness condition and help to make personalized diet plan.