Monday, December 3, 2012

A Healthy Diet for Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease

At present, no specific diet is known to prevent the progression from developing Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) into renal failure. Low protein diets have not proved helpful to PKD patients with advanced kidney disease. Nevertheless, it is not wise to eat excessive amounts of protein. Reducing salt in the diet helps control blood pressure in PKD patients who have high blood pressure. A diet low in fat and moderate in calories is recommended to maintain a healthy weight. According to dietitian, patients with PKD should abide by the following tips:
Limit the intake of protein

A lot of protein can increase the load on the kidneys, so it is essential to limit or control protein intake. Protein is found in two kinds of food. Food products in which they are found in large quantities (from animal sources) include eggs, milk, cheese, meat, seafood and other dairy products. The second type comprises food products that contain protein in smaller amounts (from plant sources) such as cereals, bread, vegetables, fruits and other starches and grains. Eating the right amount of protein is essential for a healthy body; too much or too little can cause problems, therefore it is best to pay heed to the dietitian's advice.

Lower sodium intake
High blood pressure, kidney disease, and salt are related, therefore, reducing the sodium intake is essential for people with a kidney disease including Polycystic Kidney Disease.
Reduce the intake of potassium and phosphorus
Patients with PKD usually have high-potassium and high-phosphorus symptoms. If you have these symptoms, you must choose the healthier food. Low-potassium food include mushrooms, onions and green peppers, while high-potassium foods include acorn squash, potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, orange juice, lentils and other legumes. High-phosphorus foods such as milk, organ meats, beer, chocolate and cola drinks should also be avoided if your phosphorus level is high.
Are you a patient with PKD? Are you eager to have a healthier diet? If you are, you should follow the dietitian’s suggestion.

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