Multitasking Machines
Tucked neatly on either side of our spine, are two bean-shaped organs working 24/7 to keep our bodies balanced and free of excess waste. Those bean-shaped heroes? Your kidneys! These multitasking machines filter our blood and produce urine to flush out any unwanted waste.
Think of your kidneys as your body's washing machines, working hard to detoxify your body. Your blood is like a pile of dirty clothes, and your kidneys are high-speed washing machines. The blood goes into the machine for a thorough cleaning and out goes the waste, and we are left with clean blood that keeps us feeling our best. (So no need for those popular detox teas and supplements!)
But wait, that is not all the kidneys do! The kidneys also act as master chefs to ensure that our bodies have just the right amount of nutrients. Too much of something? The kidneys step in to discard the extras and keep everything working in perfect harmony.
The Chronic Conundrum
In most people, kidneys function as well-oiled machines, carefully completing their tasks without any hiccups. But in some people, the kidneys start to lose their function slowly and can’t keep up with the body’s demands. This is known as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and can happen for many different reasons including uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, medication and supplement toxicity, and even genetics.
CKD unfolds in five stages, each describing how well the kidneys can keep up with their responsibilities. In the early stages (1 and 2), the kidneys are still functioning but experiencing some difficulties. As the disease progresses into stages 3 and 4, the kidneys continue to decrease in function, and by stage 5, there are serious interventions needed like dialysis or even a transplant to restore function.
How do we stop the disease from occurring or progressing into the later stages? One of the most impactful things we can do is make lifestyle changes to help slow down the damage.
A Renal Recipe
Remember how we talked about the role our kidneys play in nutrient balance? Usually, our kidneys don’t need to be told when to get rid of the excess nutrients in our body, but when they’re worn out, excess nutrients and waste pile up and cause problems. When this happens, our diet becomes a toolkit that we can use to lighten the kidney’s load. It is very important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all diet for chronic kidney disease—your nutrition recommendations will depend on what stage you are in and your other health needs. But the good news, is you don’t have to figure this all out on your own!
A Registered Dietitian who specializes in kidney disease can help you navigate your personalized recommendations in a way that works for you. Typically, the nutrition recommendations for CKD focus on consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. In the later stages of CKD, the recommendations become more specific and focus more on keeping phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and protein in check to avoid overwhelming your kidneys.
Ready to dive into why each of these nutrients is important and which foods may need to be avoided? Let’s break each one down:
The Great Sodium Swap
You can think of sodium as the unwanted guest at a party—too much salt and your body struggles to get rid of extra fluid, leading to swelling and high blood pressure. Cutting back on sodium intake is like politely showing the party crasher the door.
Instead of relying solely on salt for flavor in food, try spicing things up by adding some of these flavorful alternatives:
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Marinating meats in vinegar, citrus, or even yogurt
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Throwing in a sprig of your favorite fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
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Zesting or juicing a lime or lemon to brighten up the dish
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Sprinkling in a salt-free spice blend
When you’re shopping at the grocery store, inspect the nutrition label:
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Be on the hunt for ‘low sodium’ options especially when looking for deli meats, canned soups, beans, and veggies
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Pro tip: rinse your canned foods under water to wash away any excess salt
Pass on the Potassium
Potassium is the spark our bodies need to keep our bones strong, heart pumping, muscles flexing, and nerves firing. Too much potassium when our kidneys aren’t functioning properly can throw everything off, cause potassium to build up in our bodies, and negatively affect our hearts. High-potassium foods like dried fruits, milk, bananas, orange juice, potatoes, and salt substitutes using “potassium chloride” may need to take a backseat in our diet to give our kidneys a much-needed break.
The Protein Problem
Protein has the important responsibility of building up our body’s strength and defense system. Protein helps us build muscle and fight off infections to keep us feeling strong and healthy.
- With CKD, too much protein can overwork the already tired kidneys: you may need to avoid consuming a diet rich in high-protein foods like meat, dairy, beans, and nuts.
- If you are on dialysis, getting more protein is recommended to make up for the protein lost during treatment.
Your Dietitian can work with you to determine how much protein is the right amount to keep you feeling strong while also keeping your kidney health in mind.
Phos-tastrophe Ahead!
Phosphorous is an essential mineral with many functions, but the most important job it has is helping to form and keep our teeth and bones strong. When kidney function is decreased, phosphorous can build up in our blood. When there is too much phosphorous in the blood, it can start to weaken our bones. Your Dietitian or healthcare provider can tell you if phosphorous restriction is something you need to focus on. If phosphorous restriction is needed, focus on cutting back on the usual suspects: dairy, deli meats, and those tempting processed snacks.
Final Take
Remember that our kidneys are essential multitaskers that work hard to detoxify the body by filtering out waste. When they aren’t functioning at their best due to chronic kidney disease, it is important to focus on consuming a well-balanced diet and even adjusting our nutrient intake to lighten their workload. By managing nutrients like sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and protein, we can slow the progression of CKD and support our kidneys. A Registered Dietitian can work with you to create a personalized plan that meets all your nutrient needs so your kidneys and your body can feel as healthy and strong as possible!
