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Dietary Restrictions With Renal Failure

Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure, is a progressive deterioration of kidney function that eventually may require dialysis or transplantation, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. If you or a loved one suffers from chronic renal failure, your doctor will impose a number of dietary restrictions to minimize the symptoms of the disease.

  1. Why the Restrictions?

    • Your kidneys are responsible for processing roughly 200 quarts of blood each day to filter out roughly two quarts of excess water and waste products, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). The dietary restrictions that are imposed on patients with chronic renal failure are designed to reduce the workload of the kidneys and to eliminate substances that may exacerbate your condition. Generally restricted are your daily intake of protein, sodium, phosphorus and potassium, according to the NKUDIC.

    Cutting Back Protein

    • The typical diet for chronic kidney disease involves a reduction in protein intake, although the degree of that reduction is still a matter of debate among medical professionals. The Merck Manuals suggests that a limit of 0.8 gram of protein for every kilogram (roughly 2.2 pounds) of body weight is a safe level that most patients can tolerate. This means that you should have no more than 54.5 grams of protein daily if you weigh 150 pounds or 65.5 grams if you weigh 180 pounds. The rationale for a cutback in protein is the difficulty that impaired kidneys have in separating protein from waste products.

    Sodium, Potassium & Phosphorus

    • Excess sodium causes your body to retain fluid, thus increasing blood pressure. To reduce the workload on your kidneys and avoid hypertension, consume no more than 2,000 mg of sodium daily, according to the Merck Manuals. This is less than a teaspoon of table salt. Avoid foods with high levels of potassium and phosphate, although specific limitations are generally not required until the patient enters end-stage renal failure. Your doctor will monitor levels of these nutrients to ensure that your intake is within a range that poses no additional burden on your kidneys.

    Supplements

    • Depending on the degree of restrictions in your diet, it may be necessary to obtain some of the nutrients your body needs from dietary supplements. Most patients with chronic renal failure take a water-soluble vitamin/mineral pill each day. According to MedlinePlus, your doctor is likely to refer you to a registered dietician to work out specifics on both dietary restrictions and nutritive supplements that are tailored to your specific needs.

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