Can Diet Regulate Renal or Kidney Health?
Kidney disease, in any form, is a global cause of increased mortality rates and is a common systemic ailment that can affect individuals of all age groups. This is particularly true for individuals who follow a risky lifestyle lacking proper exercise and a balanced diet. Considering the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension as common lifestyle diseases affecting millions worldwide, it is crucial to prevent the development of these disorders to avoid exacerbating kidney diseases. A kidney-friendly eating or dietary plan involves avoiding commonly consumed foods that often go overlooked. Consulting with a nutritionist or dietician can help create a kidney-friendly diet, reducing renal stress by minimizing the intake of factors known to stress the kidneys.
Which Elements Should Be Avoided in a Kidney-Friendly Diet?
The elements which can be reduced in the diet are:
1. Salt: Sodium overload is a major consequence of a high-sodium diet in a routine lifestyle, directly contributing to increased blood pressure and stress on the kidneys. The typical American diet is estimated to contain approximately 3,300 milligrams of sodium per day, exceeding the recommended daily maximum intake of 2,300 milligrams (equivalent to a full teaspoon of salt). Nutrition experts worldwide advise against surpassing this upper limit, as it is a common risk factor for hypertension.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 75 percent of the sodium intake among Americans comes from processed foods, fried items, or junk food consumed in restaurants. It is important to recognize that canned soups, processed meats, hot dogs, sausages, cheesy pizzas, snack chips, crackers, pretzels, condiments like ketchup, soy sauce, barbecue sauces, and pickled foods are all examples where excessive sodium content hinders overall health, particularly when individuals consume them in large quantities. These foods negatively impact regular blood pressure levels (120/80 millimeters of mercury) due to their high salt content, which interferes with sodium metabolism.
2. Sugar: Added sugar is present in a wide range of foods, whether they are natural or processed. As consumers, it is important to be nutritionally aware of the added sugar content, which can be found on the back labels of the products purchased or consumed. Added sugars are commonly used in commercial products and various processed foods, and their excessive consumption can have long-term health implications. While fruits naturally contain sugars, they also provide fiber that enhances the immune system. Most fruits are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential micronutrients, making them beneficial for systemic health (with the exception of high glycemic index fruits, which are not recommended for diabetics or prediabetics). However, foods with added sugars diminish the nutritional value of the product. Surprisingly, added sugars can be found in common condiments, white bread, snack foods, and sweets.
3. Sodas: According to the American Kidney Fund (AKF) association, recent research studies conducted in the past decade suggest that consuming two or more carbonated beverages, including both diet and regular sodas, per day can increase the likelihood of developing chronic kidney diseases. Sugar-sweetened sodas are even more detrimental as they can lead to the elimination of urinary calcium, oxalate, and uric acid metabolites, thereby increasing the risk of kidney stone formation. Carbonated breverage, a sports drink, or an energy drink (even vitamin water), are high in calories and do not provide satiety. Additionally, they can pose additional risks such as tooth enamel erosion, acid reflux, osteoporosis (a bone disorder in which the quality of bone is reduced), and blood insulin spikes, especially in the case of carbonated or sweetened diet sodas.
4. Meat and Dairy Products: Diets that are high in animal protein from meats or dairy products can have detrimental effects on systemic health. It is surprising to learn that while proteins are essential for human body metabolism, excessive intake of dietary protein can place stress on kidney function. Unlike plant-based sources of protein, meat, and dairy products are not easily metabolized. When meat products are regularly consumed, the elimination of protein metabolites can worsen existing kidney issues in individuals with lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, or substance abuse. Over the past decade, nutrition research has emphasized the benefits of plant-based vegan diets. These diets, consisting of vegetables, fruits, leafy herbs, nuts, seeds, and legumes, promote easy digestion (directly impacting the renal system) and can be helpful in preventing chronic systemic diseases that are associated with the consumption of animal-based foods.
5. Caffeine: Caffeine is a commonly consumed element through daily coffee, tea, soda, desserts, and other beverages. As a stimulant, caffeine increases blood flow and can raise blood pressure. However, an excessive intake of caffeine (more than 8 ounces or 200 milligrams per day) can stress kidney cells. Numerous case reports globally have linked excessive caffeine consumption to the formation of kidney stones. This is because regular coffee and black teas, which are common sources of oxalates in the diet, contribute to the risk. Patients already suffering from kidney stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones, should ideally avoid consuming coffee as it may worsen renal health.
While research studies have generally indicated a reduced risk of renal or kidney cell carcinoma with coffee consumption, this effect may be dependent on the dose of caffeine consumed per day or specifically limited to caffeinated coffee. Interestingly, decaffeinated coffee consumption appears to have a higher risk of developing the clear cell renal cell carcinoma subtype, which is a specific subtype of kidney cancer. Further research is being conducted by medical experts and researchers to better understand the relationship between caffeinated or decaffeinated drinks and their role in the pathogenesis of kidney cancers.
Conclusion
While it may not be possible to completely eliminate the aforementioned dietary elements that are commonly included in diets worldwide, their consumption can certainly be controlled or limited to protect individuals from exacerbating kidney stress. Consulting a dietician or nutritionist can help create a kidney-friendly eating plan that includes whole grains, cardioprotective fats, and plant-based protein sources in appropriate proportions, thereby promoting overall systemic health.
