DIET FOR THE KIDNEY

One of the roles of healthy kidneys is to flush waste products from the body through urination. The kidneys also control the blood pressure and sodium balance in the body. When the kidneys are not functioning to their optimal ability, a variety of metabolic processes begin to occur and eventually, the body’s systems begin to break down. Maintaining good kidney function is an important part of retaining your good health. If you have had blood tests and a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), or see the early indications of kidney dysfunction in the blood test results, you can do something to help your kidneys function more efficiently by adjusting your diet and avoiding specific foods. 1-Dairy, Nuts and Chocolate Since kidney function is so intimately involved in the body’s electrolyte balance, when the kidneys are not able to fully do their job, foods containing electrolytes must be reduced. Too much phosphorus blocks calcium absorption so reduce your intake of the following high-phosphorus foods: nuts, chocolate, cocoa, carbonated vegetables and dairy products which are the main source of phosphorus, says the American Association of Kidney Patients. This means reducing these foods to no more than one portion a day, especially for milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, hard cheeses, soy cheese and soy yogurt. 2-Fruits, Vegetables and Legumes Most people only need to reduce their potassium intake if their kidney function decreases to less than 20 percent, says the Association of Kidney Patients. In this case, the best way to reduce potassium is to reduce the intake of fruits and vegetables, the highest sources of potassium. Minimize fruit and vegetable choices to no more than five servings per day. This also includes limiting your intake of textured vegetable protein and legumes (beans). 3-Processed and Fast Foods High blood pressure is one of the causes, and also one of the side effects, of kidney disease. The kidneys' role in controlling blood pressure is intricately involved with sodium balance in the body. Too much sodium, and kidney function goes hay wire, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). Eliminate and reduce all foods that have a high sodium content, including but not limited to all canned foods unless they are labeled low sodium, chips, fast foods, convenience foods, canned and dried soups, vegetable broths, bouillon, soy based cheese, processed cheese slices, frozen meals, hot dogs, processed meats, pickled foods, ketchup, salt, soy sauce, tamari, marinades and anything that has the words "added sodium" on the label. 4-High Oxalate Foods To avoid developing certain kinds of kidney stones, especially when your kidney function is compromised, limit foods high in oxalic acid, as recommended by the National Kidney Foundation. These foods are all berries, peanuts, instant coffee, tea, beets, beans, chocolate, dark leafy green vegetables, Concord grapes, tofu, oranges, sweet potatoes and draft beer. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/39928-foods-avoid-bad-kidneys/#ixzz2drMRIWI9