The Importance of Renal Diet Meals

The Importance of Renal Diet Meals

Posted on 16 Jun 2023 in Health

The kidneys are organs that play several essential roles in the body. They remove toxins and excess water from the blood, which is taken out of the body through fluid. In addition, they help produce red blood cells and make Vitamin D usable, keeping the body happy and healthy.

When the kidneys start to lose function, it can have detrimental effects. An estimated one in seven American adults suffer from chronic kidney disease, the majority of whom are unaware they have the disease. Doctors treat the disease differently according to the stage of the disease and individual, but they agree that following a renal diet promotes kidney function and slows the progression of kidney failure.

What to Know About Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease, also known as CKD, is the gradual loss of kidney function. The disease has several stages with different symptoms and treatments. In the early stages of CKD, a person may have little to no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen and can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, frequent urination, hypertension, and more. The end-stage of CKD is kidney failure, which is fatal without dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Because the stages of CKD have various symptoms and medical needs, a doctor should always be consulted before beginning any treatment. In the early stages, most doctors recommend following a renal diet that lessens the burden on the kidneys. A renal diet often limits sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, which are all minerals that the kidney filters out.