Alcoholic and salty foods, a shortcut to kidney damage... Be sure to eat protein

Once the kidneys (renal organs) are damaged, it is difficult to recover.

 

However, if detected early and managed consistently through diet, the progression of kidney deterioration can be slowed down.

The kidneys are organs that filter waste products accumulated in the blood.

 

The kidneys contain a total of 2 million glomerular filters, with 1 million on each side. These glomerular filters continuously filter waste products from the blood 24 hours a day, and regulate water, electrolytes, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium.

 

It also has various hormonal functions that maintain and regulate blood pressure and anemia levels consistently, as well as activate vitamins.

 

The phrase "kidney deterioration" does not simply mean a decline in the ability to excrete waste products, but indicates that all functions performed by the kidneys are deteriorating.

 

Therefore, when kidney function declines, there are more items that need to be tested at the hospital.

 

You can check the extent of kidney deterioration through a health check-up.

 

Specifically, glomerular filtration rate can be checked through blood tests, but in stages 1 to 2 of chronic kidney disease, the kidney's filtering function is normal, although blood in the urine or protein in the urine accompanies it, indicating kidney damage.

 

Stages 1 to 2 are considered to be stages where kidney function is relatively maintained normally. From stage 3, the glomerular filtration rate decreases to between 30 and 59, indicating reduced kidney function, and stage 4 is when the glomerular filtration rate drops to between 15 and 29, indicating severely decreased kidney function.

 

Stage 5 occurs when the glomerular filtration rate drops below 15, requiring dialysis or transplantation.

 

A nephrologist explained, "The foods that need to be restricted vary by stage, but it is generally necessary to limit alcohol intake and avoid salty foods," adding, "It is also important to stay hydrated to prevent dehydration."

 

 

In particular, avoid foods and medicinal herbs with unclear ingredients, and try to limit processed foods and instant foods as much as possible. Most instant and processed foods contain a lot of salt, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.

 

Many people limit protein intake because of proteinuria in their urine, but experts emphasize that protein intake is essential.

 

If protein is not consumed consistently, the body's protein is lost, leading to weakened muscles and decreased energy, so it is generally agreed that consuming a steady amount is appropriate.

 

It is best to maintain at least one source of protein side dish, such as meat, fish, eggs, or tofu, at every meal.

 

The American Dietetic Association's "Chronic Kidney Disease Guidelines" recommend an appropriate protein intake of 0.6 to 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for patients with chronic kidney disease, and suggest that dialysis patients should consume a more generous amount of protein, with a daily intake of 1.2 grams per kilogram.

 

Choose pork or beef with some fat content, and if you eat chicken, it is recommended to select calorie-containing proteins such as chicken thighs or breast meat.

 

In the case of potassium, consuming more is more beneficial up to stage 1-2 of chronic kidney disease.

 

Potassium helps to excrete sodium from the body.

 

Kiwifruit, tomatoes, watermelon, bananas, and yogurt are high in potassium, so it is good to eat them as snacks to supplement your intake.

 

The most important thing to watch out for when the kidneys are deteriorating is salt regulation.

 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), patients with chronic kidney disease are recommended to follow a low-sodium diet of 5 grams of salt per day (equivalent to 2000 mg of sodium).

 

Therefore, if you have a habit of eating salty foods regularly, you should correct it through lifestyle changes.

 

Since it is difficult to change your taste all at once, it is recommended to gradually reduce habits such as not drinking the broth of soups or stews while eating normally, or not dipping meat or fish in salt or soy sauce. Reducing salt intake too much can also cause side effects.

 

If salt intake is regulated too strictly, the body's fluid volume decreases rapidly, leading to poor blood circulation and a reduction in blood flow to the kidneys.

 

Suddenly drastically reducing food intake leaves almost no edible options, causing rapid weight loss and potential nutritional deficiency.

 

Accordingly, it is recommended to gradually reduce salt intake. It is also advisable to consume enough protein, eat lightly, and maintain an appropriate calorie intake.