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How To Improve Kidney Health Through Diet?

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Posted on Tue, 11 Nov 2014
Question: Since food has so much to do with lab work- won't you please tell me, how can I improve these results, what to eat more of'??
what to eat less of ???
what to add to diet or omit from diet
***** lab results by attachment**********************
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern.

I have read your reports carefully and want to emphasize on the following points.

Diet does play a role in altering lab results.

Your creatinine level is high and the GFR is quite low which signifies a poorly functioning kidney. The BUN is raised , too, but not as high as the creatinine.

Reading your previous queries, I found out that the diagnosis is CKD ( Chronic Kidney Disease ) also known previously as CRF ( Chronic Renal Failure ), based on the GFR it can be categorized as ESRD ( end stage renal disease ).

The potassium, Sodium , Calcium , Glucose and Albumin are well within range, which shows that not much alteration is needed in terms of these three, though potassium is very important in terms of Chronic kidney disease and should be regularly monitored.

In early CKD a low sodium diet is preferred especially if there is associated hypertension. Protein content should be reduced but not avoided completely.The five stages of CKD are defined by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of how well your kidneys are functioning.

In stage 1 of CKD, GFR is 90 or above. However, abnormal levels of protein are detected in the urine.
In Stage 5, the last stage of kidney disease known as end stage renal disease or ESRD, occurs when GFR drops below 15 and the kidneys have little function left.

Although stage 4 indicates a severe decrease in kidney function, you’re still able to live without dialysis. Because there’s no cure for kidney disease, the primary focus is keeping you nourished and reducing protein waste build up. Excess protein waste can cause nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, taste changes and itching.

In stage 4 of CKD, your dietitian may advise you to reduce protein to 10 percent of daily calorie intake For patients who are in stage 5 and have kidneys that work at less than 10 percent, dialysis is needed to take over for the failed kidneys or until a kidney transplant is possible.

Dialysis removes protein waste from the blood and a low protein diet is no longer needed. Unfortunately, some amino acids are removed during dialysis. A higher protein intake is needed to replace lost protein.

You also need to have a diet low in phosphate or be on phosphate binders preferably as kidneys are quite poor at excreting phosphate in CKD. the following foods should be avoided as they are high in phosphate in consult with your dietitian.
Soft drinks, soda drinks, especially cola or coke and fizzy lemonade
Cordials/fruit syrup beverages
Chocolate, lollies, sweets, candy

You have a relatively low HB, HCT, RBCs causing anemia most likely due to lack of erythropoietin. erythropoietin injections subcutaneously are available to counter anemia in CRF.

Diet changes will make incremental changes only at present, please consult with your doctor about dialysis and transplant options.


Let me know if you have any query

wishing you best of health

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (17 hours later)
I wish my nephrologist had been so thorough & kept me as informed
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
thanks for your comments.

Detailed Answer:
i am glad , i was of some assistance. i am here to help you with any clarification that you might need.

thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (22 hours later)
"You have a relatively low HB, HCT, RBCs causing anemia" what foods can I eat or avoid to make this better? What percent am I now??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
explained

Detailed Answer:
hello again,

The Hb being 10 and hematocrit (30), you are anemic but wont require any transfusion till the HB is lower than 7.5 or if there are hypoxia symptoms.

The best way to improve upon anemia in CRF in both long and short term is via Erythropoetin subcutaneous injections as that improves the hemoglobin and the quality of life immensely in a CRF patient.

Foods rich in Iron B12 and Folic acid or their supplements can help , too. A few are described below.
◾Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.
◾Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots.
◾Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.
◾Asparagus. ...
◾Broccoli. ...
◾Citrus Fruits
◾Avocado. ...
◾Okra. ...
◾Brussels Sprout.


Poultry and red meat also helps but they adversely affect the BUN so its a double edge sword and they need to be taken moderately or avoided for the time being.

hope this helps

thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)
What percent am I now??

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
percent ??

Detailed Answer:
hi.

Please state what percentage/ percent are you precizely referring to ?

thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (22 minutes later)
kidney function- I was 8 last month
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
hello again,

ok.

Percent kidney function is an estimate of remaining kidney function. Because a GFR of 100 milliliters per minute (mL/min) is in the normal range, translation is 100 mL/min is about equal to 100% kidney function. So a creatinine clearance or GFR of 8 mL/min would be called "8 percent kidney function."

You have a eGFR of 8 ml/min/1.73m2 so you are at 8 percent kidney function according to the labs that you have attached.

Furthermore, to clear things a little more

Kidney function for healthy kidneys is greater than 90%.

Mild kidney disease is considered stage 2- between 60% and 89%

Moderate kidney disease is considered stage 3- between 30% and 59%

Severe kidney disease is considered stage 4- between 15% and 29%

Stage 5- under 15% requiring dialysis and/or transplant

I am at your service, madam.

I am here to help. Let me know if there is any other clarification that you may seek.

Thanks


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 2906 Questions

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How To Improve Kidney Health Through Diet?

Brief Answer: Explained Detailed Answer: Hello and Welcome I appreciate your concern. I have read your reports carefully and want to emphasize on the following points. Diet does play a role in altering lab results. Your creatinine level is high and the GFR is quite low which signifies a poorly functioning kidney. The BUN is raised , too, but not as high as the creatinine. Reading your previous queries, I found out that the diagnosis is CKD ( Chronic Kidney Disease ) also known previously as CRF ( Chronic Renal Failure ), based on the GFR it can be categorized as ESRD ( end stage renal disease ). The potassium, Sodium , Calcium , Glucose and Albumin are well within range, which shows that not much alteration is needed in terms of these three, though potassium is very important in terms of Chronic kidney disease and should be regularly monitored. In early CKD a low sodium diet is preferred especially if there is associated hypertension. Protein content should be reduced but not avoided completely.The five stages of CKD are defined by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of how well your kidneys are functioning. In stage 1 of CKD, GFR is 90 or above. However, abnormal levels of protein are detected in the urine. In Stage 5, the last stage of kidney disease known as end stage renal disease or ESRD, occurs when GFR drops below 15 and the kidneys have little function left. Although stage 4 indicates a severe decrease in kidney function, you’re still able to live without dialysis. Because there’s no cure for kidney disease, the primary focus is keeping you nourished and reducing protein waste build up. Excess protein waste can cause nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, taste changes and itching. In stage 4 of CKD, your dietitian may advise you to reduce protein to 10 percent of daily calorie intake For patients who are in stage 5 and have kidneys that work at less than 10 percent, dialysis is needed to take over for the failed kidneys or until a kidney transplant is possible. Dialysis removes protein waste from the blood and a low protein diet is no longer needed. Unfortunately, some amino acids are removed during dialysis. A higher protein intake is needed to replace lost protein. You also need to have a diet low in phosphate or be on phosphate binders preferably as kidneys are quite poor at excreting phosphate in CKD. the following foods should be avoided as they are high in phosphate in consult with your dietitian. Soft drinks, soda drinks, especially cola or coke and fizzy lemonade Cordials/fruit syrup beverages Chocolate, lollies, sweets, candy You have a relatively low HB, HCT, RBCs causing anemia most likely due to lack of erythropoietin. erythropoietin injections subcutaneously are available to counter anemia in CRF. Diet changes will make incremental changes only at present, please consult with your doctor about dialysis and transplant options. Let me know if you have any query wishing you best of health Thanks