Nutrition to Help Prevent Kidney Disease

An estimated 15% of adults in the United States have Chronic Kidney Disease. That's 1 in 7, approximately 37 million people.

Kidney Disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. It affects approximately 37 million people in the United States, and 9 in 10 don't even know they have it. There are many factors that contribute to the chance and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease - family medical history of kidney disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, old age, past kidney damage (trauma to them), smoking, unhealthy eating and exercise habits.

Some of these risk factors, like family history of kidney disease, cannot be controled or mitigated. Others can be. Smoking, eating habits, obesity, exercising habits are factors that we can control and change in an effort to better our health and prevent kidney disease. In particular, we will explore diet recommendations set forth by the National Kidney Foundation and a study published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease in 2013. 

9 in 10 people don't know that they have Chronic Kidney Disease, especially when it is in the early to mid stages.

A Dr. Alex Chang, MD, MS, from John Hopskins University lead a 

team of researchers in a study, in 2013, that found people with normal kidney function who had unhealthy eating habits were more likely to develop kidney disease than those with no unhealthy eating habits. In fact, they studied people with three unhealthy lifestyle factors - smoking, obesity and poor diet. These people were found to be 13% more likely to develop kidney disease than those people with normal kidney function and healthy lifestyles and eating. 

Unhealthy eating habits, for this study, meant regular consumption of a diet high in red meat or processed meats and sugary drinks like soda and low in foods like fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy etc. Researchers defined obesity as those who had a body mass index (BMI) of 30. It was found that obesity doubled the chance of developing kidney disease. In those that smoked regularly, it was found that people were 60% more likely to develop kidney disease.

Chronic Kidney disease affects about 15% of women and 12% of men.

These are sobering statistics. So what can we do to mitigate the chances of our developing kidney disease? Here are some tips:
- Get tested. Speak with your doctor and find out what your risk is and speak about next steps.
- If you smoke, quit. This can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Speak with your primary doctor for resources on how to start.
- Start exercising. 30 minutes of walking a few times a week can go a long way. Speak to your doctor for more information on the best way to get started.
- Transform your eating habits. Again, speak to your doctor, or a certified nutritionist about getting yourself set up with a good eating plan for your body.

Diabetes (38%) and high blood pressure (26%) are the two leading outside causes reported in end-stage Chronic Kidney Disease.

The National Kidney Foundation published some eating tips based on

Dr. Chang's study. Here are their tips for a healthier diet that can help prevent kidney disease: 
"

• Cut the sodium: Americans today consume 50% more than the recommended daily quantity of sodium -- 2,300 mg of sodium, about one teaspoon of salt, should be the daily limit.
• Reduce red meat: High protein diets, especially those containing large quantities of animal protein, may harm the kidneys. Red meat is also high in saturated fat—another no-no.
• Stop the soda: Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas are high calorie and contain no nutritious value. Colas also have phosphorus additives which can harm the kidneys.
• Pass on processed foods: Crackers, potato chips, deli meats, cheese spreads, and instant potato mix are all examples of processed foods that are high in sodium and phosphorus additives - both which can have negative effects on the kidneys.
• Slow down with sugar: An overdose of sugar can lead to diabetes and obesity, which are linked to kidney disease."

Kidneys play an imperative roll in our bodies, health and quality of life. Take care of them. Make good, healthy choices.

Sources
- "The Right Diet May Help Prevent Kidney Disease, New Study Finds", April 17, 2013, National Kidney Foundation
​- "The Correct Diet Can Help Avoid Kidney Disease", April 17, 2013, Kelly Fitzgerald, Medical News Today
​- "Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2019", Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- "One in Seven American Adults Estimated to Have Chronic Kidney Disease", June 6, 2017, National Kidney Foundation