Let's learn about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - should we eat properly to protect our kidneys?

Has the doctor told you that you have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? Then it is time to be a little more careful about what you eat and drink. Because in this condition, our kidneys are not able to properly remove waste and unnecessary fluids from the body. But don't worry, if we get used to a diet that is beneficial for the kidneys, we can stay healthy for a long time. Let's talk about this in detail.

What is a kidney-friendly meal?

Simply put, our kidneys are like a filter in our body. One of their main functions is to remove unnecessary waste products and excess fluids from the body through urine. Not only that, the kidneys perform several other important functions.

• It maintains a balance of minerals like salt (sodium) and potassium in our body.
• Balances the amount of fluid in the body.
• Produces hormones that affect the function of other organs.

A kidney-friendly diet is about eating foods that help protect your kidneys from further damage. This involves limiting certain foods and fluids. This is done to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary fluids and minerals in the body. At the same time, we need to make sure that you are getting the right amount of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals.

If you are in the early stages of CKD, you may not have any major dietary restrictions. But as your condition progresses, you will need to be more careful about what you put into your body. Your doctor will talk to you about this. They may also recommend that you see a dietitian to help you choose foods that are easy on your kidneys.

How to control sodium?

Sodium is a mineral found naturally in many foods. As we know, it is most commonly found in the salt we use for cooking.

Sodium directly affects your blood pressure. It also helps balance the amount of water in your body. A person with healthy kidneys has a controlled sodium level. But with CKD, extra sodium and fluid accumulate in the body. This can cause a number of problems, including swollen ankles, high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and fluid buildup around the heart and lungs.

You can control sodium by following these simple steps.

Let's be careful about Phosphorus and Calcium.

Both of these minerals are essential for keeping our bones healthy and strong. If your kidneys are healthy, they remove excess phosphorus from the body. But in CKD, your phosphorus levels can become dangerously high. This is a major risk factor for heart disease. At the same time, your body's calcium levels drop. To make up for the loss, the body pulls calcium from your bones. This weakens your bones and makes them more likely to break easily.

If you are in the advanced stages of CKD, your doctor may advise you not to take more than 1,000 milligrams of phosphorus per day. You can do the following to help:

• Choose foods low in phosphorus (look for "PHOS" on the labels).
• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Choose cereals made from corn and rice.
• Drink light-colored sodas instead of dark-colored ones.
• Limit your intake of meat, poultry, and fish.
• Limit dairy and processed foods.

Foods high in calcium are usually high in phosphorus. Therefore, your doctor may recommend that you reduce your intake of calcium-rich foods. Some dairy foods that are low in phosphorus include:

• Brie or Swiss cheese
• Regular or low-fat cream cheese or sour cream
• Sherbet

Also, your doctor may advise you to stop taking the calcium pills you buy from the pharmacy and start taking a type of medication called a phosphorus binder, which controls phosphorus levels.

How to reduce potassium intake?

Potassium is a mineral that helps our nerves and muscles work properly. But when you have CKD, your body can't filter out the extra potassium. If your blood potassium levels get too high, it can cause serious heart problems.

Potassium is found in many fruits and vegetables. Your doctor will tell you whether you need to limit your potassium intake. If so, you can choose foods low in potassium, as shown in the tables below.

As your CKD gets worse, you may need to make more changes to your diet. For example, you may need to cut down on high-protein foods, especially animal protein (meat, seafood, dairy products). You may also need extra iron. Talk to your doctor about iron-rich foods you can eat if you have CKD.

What is the DASH Diet?

DASH is an acronym for ``Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension''. Simply put, it is a diet that helps stop high blood pressure. It is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts. It is low in sodium, sugar, fat, and red meat.

If you have CKD, talk to your doctor about the DASH diet. He or she will tell you if this diet is right for you. If you are on dialysis, the DASH diet is not right for you.

Do you also need to think about fluids?

If you are in the early stages of CKD, you may not need to restrict fluids. However, if your condition becomes severe, your doctor will ask if you need to restrict fluids. These things can help you manage your fluids:

• Avoid foods high in salt. These increase thirst.
• When your mouth feels dry, try something like sugar-free hard candy, ice cubes, or frozen grapes.
• Write down the amount of fluid you drink daily in a notebook, or use a bottle with measuring marks.

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