Dietary Fiber in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

In recently years, the health benefits of dietary fiber are increasingly recognized in the general population, as well as in end stage renal disease. Does this mean all patients with ESRD can consume dietary fiber without limitation. What are the benefits of dietary fiber in end stage renal disease?

Dietary fiber is found only in plant foods: fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. According to the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, the daily needs of dietary fiber changes with people’s age and gender:

· Age 50 and younger: 25 grams for women, and 38 grams for men

· Age 51 and older: 21 grams for women, and 30 grams for men

Normalize bowel movements: For people with end stage renal disease, constipation is a common symptom. Dietary fiber is able to prompt intestinal peristalsis and reduce the time of food retention in the intestinal tract, so it increase the weight and size of patients’ stool and softens it. Then, patients’ constipation can be remitted.

Prompt the absorption of calcium: Through improving the lack of calcium, calcium balance and bone mineral density, the body can get enough calcium and avoid some healthy problems.

Help control high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels: At present, high blood pressure and diabetes have become two leading cause of end stage renal disease. Foods rich in dietary fiber can help reduce the risk of diabetes and lower high blood pressure.

Increase the body’s ability to absorb nutrition: Through prompting the proliferation of the intestinal bacteria, patients’ poor appetite and lower absorbing ability can be improved. With enough nutrition, patients can fight against their disease better.

However, these patients are usually suggested to take lower amount of dietary fiber than the general population. What’s more, some vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts are harmful for these people. Therefore, the key to consume dietary fiber healthily is to follow doctor’s guideline.