MAy, 2019 | The Health
Nutrition
29
Sticking
to a
kidney
friendly
diet
Don’t let your eating habits
eat into your health
By Reenassri Sekaran
T
here are so many reasons to love and
take care of your kidneys. After all – they
are in charge of filtering the blood,
removing waste through urine, producing
hormones, balancing minerals and main-
taining fluid balance. However if you have
chronic kidney disease (CKD), it’s time to re-evaluate
what goes in your diet. Kher Pui Ling, a dietician at the
National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia explains on
the nutritional needs of a CKD patient.
Uncontrolled blood
sugar level and
blood pressure can
damage the tiny
blood vessels and
filters within the
kidneys.”
Connection between CKD and diet
“An individual will be advised to make changes to their
diet when they are diagnosed with CKD. These changes
may include limiting fluids, eating a low-protein diet,
limiting salt, potassium, phosphorus and other elec-
trolytes and getting enough calories, if the patient is
losing weight.”
“This diet is aimed at keeping the patient’s level of
electrolytes, minerals and fluid balanced while limiting
the buildup of waste products in the body which will
eventually delay the disease from progressing to end
stage kidney failure (ESRF).”
Keep an eye out on your sugar intake
Most common causes of kidney failure? Diabetes and
high blood pressure. Why?
“Uncontrolled blood sugar level and blood pressure
can damage the tiny blood vessels and filters within the
kidneys,” explains Kher.
She tells that in Malaysia, diabetes mellitus is listed
as the primary cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD),
despite it being a preventable and treatable risk factor.
The condition accounts for 65 percent of the total
incidence. So keep an eye out for those sugar levels!
So how will a better diet help CKD? “It is an irrevers-
ible disease. But we can slow down the progression to
kidney failure.”
Plant based or meat based diet?
There’s always a constant debate on the internet on
which diet if better, a plant based diet or a meat based
diet. Dr Kher explains that there is no one right diet
for everyone with kidney disease.
“When your kidney progresses, your dietary needs
may change as well. Again, depending on how much
kidney function you have and other health factors,”
she explains.
The one star to stay away from
“Averrhoa carambola or commonly known as starfruit
is a tropical fruit which naturally contains neurotoxins
capable of causing neurological disorders in CKD
patients. It could involve symptoms such as hiccups,
mental confusion, seizures and even death,” warns
Kher.
6 golden rules to a happy kidney
With such an abundance of good food all around us,
sometimes it is hard to realise the toll they take on
Supplements being sold nowadays often
promises instant weight loss or instant beauty.
our kidneys. Here are a few ways to give thanks to the
bean shaped organs that are working so hard to take
care of our body.
1
Maintain body weight in a healthy range - Obesity
is one of the risk factors for CKD. Your body mass
index (BMI) is a helpful measure of whether you are
having a healthy weight.
2
Be physically active every day - Exercise not only
can help you to maintain a healthy weight, but also
helps control blood pressure and cholesterol. At least
30 minutes of moderate intense physical activity for at
least five to six days a week are preferable.
3
Eat healthily - CKD risk factors such as obesity,
diabetes and high blood pressure are strongly
influenced by dietary choice. Proper diet tips includes:
1) low in sodium; 2) increase fruits and vegetables
intake; 3) cut down on processed foods and 4) lower
intake of sugar.
4
5
Drink plenty of water - Drink six to eight glasses of
plain water every day.
Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis
- Your kidneys could be damaged if you take large
amounts of over-the-counter medications, especially
when the drug is not taken in accordance to your
healthcare provider’s instructions or if it is an illegal
substance.
6
Get regular health checks - Most people with early
kidney disease do not have symptoms. If kidney
disease is discovered found and treated early, regular
blood and urine tests can check as to whether your
kidneys are help slow or even stop it from getting
worse. — The Health
Deadly products
which can harm
your kidney
A variety of fitness and beauty supplements are
being sold online now spreading claims of health
benefits and instant beauty cures. Unfortunately,
more and more cases in Malaysia are popping up
where people consume these supplements and in
return, cause serious health issues. Certain beauty
products in the market contain mercury – which
is used as a bleaching agent to white the skin and
when accumulated in the organs can lead to kidney
failure.
“It is undeniable that the recent trend of
supplement consumption without doctor’s
prescription in Malaysia is concerning,” Kher Pui Ling
worries.
According to Dr Fadhlina Zakaria, Lecturer and
Consultant of Nephrology from Universiti Putra
Malaysia, “Although supplement factors are still
minimal in contributing to kidney failure, it has great
potential to be amongst the major contributors if not
controlled.”
The trend of supplement consumption for beauty
and fitness purposes is not something new as it is
easily accessible on the market. It is a clear choice
for the consumers as instant results are usually
promised, even though they are not fully aware of
the ingredients used and whether it is appropriate
for their bodies. Some of the products even contain
chemicals such as mercury, preservatives, colour and
artificial flavours which can potentially damage the
kidneys. — The Health