Can Diet Regulate Kidney Health?
Kidney disease in any form is a global cause of increased mortality rates and one of the common systemic ailments that can affect individuals of any age group, especially individuals who follow a risky lifestyle without proper exercise, diet, and so on. Also because diabetes and hypertension are two common lifestyle diseases that are affecting millions of people globally, it is important to avoid the acquisition of these disorders lest the kidney diseases exacerbate in affected individuals. A kidney-friendly eating or dietary plan always excludes these listed common foods that are consumed regularly and are often overlooked by some individuals. However, the nutritionist or dietician can help plan a kidney-friendly diet that can reduce renal stress as a result of dietary intake (by reducing the intake of the following listed kidney-stressing causative factors).
How to Reduce Harmful Elements for Kidney Health in Diet?
Here are the elements one needs to reduce through the diet :
1. Salt:
Sodium overload is one of the main reasons related to a high sodium diet in a routine lifestyle that is related directly to an increase in blood pressure that can stress the kidneys. The typical American diet is estimated to approximately contain 0.116 ounces of sodium in a single day, which is much higher than the daily maximum intake of 0.081 ounces per day (around a full teaspoon of salt). Exceeding the daily upper limit of sodium is not recommended by nutrition experts for healthy adults as it is a common predisposing factor for hypertension on a global scale.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 percent of the sodium Americans may intake or consume is only through processed diet food or other processed, fried, or junk foods consumed in restaurants. It is important to note that canned soups, processed meats, hot dogs, sausages, cheesy pizzas, snack chips, crackers, pretzels, condiments like ketchup, soy sauce, or other barbeque-based sauces, and pickled foods, canned vegetables are all common examples of where added sodium content impedes sustaining general health, especially when individuals tend to binge eat the listed products. These are detrimental to the regularized levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure limits (120/80 mm Hg) because of higher salt content interfering with sodium metabolism.
2. Sugar:
Added sugar is found in most foods be they natural or processed which means that people as consumers should be nutritionally aware of the added sugar content that can be found on the back label of the products one purchases or consumes. Added sugars may be the most common abundantly used source that is added to commercial products be it any processed food that can hinder health in the long term. Fruits are sources of natural sugar, however, they also contain fiber that boosts immunity, and most fruits equipped with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential micronutrients or minerals are more beneficial to systemic health than harmful (except fruits high in the glycemic index that are not recommended for diabetics or prediabetics). Foods with added sugars lower the nutritional value of the product and are surprisingly found in common condiments, white bread, snack foods, and sweets.
3. Sodas:
According to the American Kidney Fund Association, recent research studies conducted in the last decade are suggestive of the fact that drinking two or more carbonated beverages be it sodas whether diet or regular per day can increase the chances of acquiring chronic kidney diseases. Sugar-sweetened sodas are even worse in the elimination of the urinary calcium, oxalate, and uric acid metabolites increasing the risk of kidney stone formation. Whether the drink is carbonated, a sports drink, or an energy drink (even like vitamin waters), these drinks are high in calories and cannot satiate the appetite. Instead, they can be additionally harmful (due to the risk of carbonation or presence of carbon dioxide alongside the sweetened or sugary diet soda) by increasing the risk of tooth enamel erosion, acid reflux, osteoporosis, and spikes in blood insulins.
4. Meat and Dairy Products:
Diets that are usually high in animal protein from meats or dairy products can harm systemic health. It is surprising indeed to know this fact that while proteins are functionally important for human body metabolism, an excess of dietary protein intake can stress kidney metabolism certainly. Meat and dairy products are not metabolized as easily as plant-based sources of protein and when meat products are a part of regular diet regimens, the elimination of protein metabolites would exacerbate existing kidney issues in individuals with lifestyle risk factors (such as smokers, alcoholics, or substance abusers).
The last decade of nutrition research has seen the advent of various studies and randomized controlled trials globally which highlight why plant-based vegan diets can not only be nutritious and colorful, but more importantly, plant-based diets that comprise vegetables, fruits, leafy herbs, nuts, seeds, and legumes aid in easy digestion (directly impacting the renal system in easily metabolite elimination) and can be useful in preventing chronic systemic diseases (which are increased due to only animal-based foods).
5. Caffeine:
Caffeine is the most common element people consume be it through daily coffee, tea, soda, desserts, or other beverages or drinks. Caffeine is a stimulant that not only increases the blood flow and even blood pressure but an overdose of caffeine (more than eight ounces per day) can exert kidney cell stress. Excessive caffeine intake has frequently according to global case reports linked to kidney stone formation This is because one of the main sources of oxalates in the diet is regular coffee or other drinks like black tea. Individuals who are already suffering from kidney stones (especially calcium oxalate stones) should ideally refrain from coffee consumption as it would worsen renal health potentially.
Though research studies have typically indicated reduced risks of renal or kidney cell cancer with coffee consumption, this may hold only based on the dose of caffeine a person consumes in a day (or at least only for caffeinated coffee). It is interesting to note that decaffeinated coffee consumption seems worse at increasing the risk of developing the clear cell renal cell carcinoma subtype. This is a specific subtype of kidney cancer. Further research is ongoing by medical experts and researchers to understand the link between a caffeinated or decaffeinated drink and its role or pathogenesis in kidney cancers.
Conclusion:
While it is not feasible to eliminate the above-listed dietary elements that are part of worldwide diets, they can certainly be curbed or limited to an extent to protect by preventing the stress or exacerbation of kidney stress through the diet. Consulting the dietician or nutritionist about a kidney-friendly eating plan that incorporates whole grains, cardioprotective fats, and plant-based protein sources in even measure can certainly help sustain systemic health.
