Impactful lifestyle changes for kidney health
Kidneys play a huge role in our bodies; they are responsible for four major functions: excretory, acid-base balance, endocrine and fluid-electrolyte balance.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when there is a gradual loss of kidney function over time (usually over three months), along with damage to the kidney’s functional units and reduced prescence of proteinuria. The impact of kidney disease on your body is vast. From progressive uremia (toxic build-up), anemia, blood pressure issues, electrolyte abnormalities, mineral and bone disorders, impaired gut health, increased cardiovascular risk and hormonal disorders to name a few.
Traditionally recommended changes are centered around reducing the intake of single nutrients, including salt, potassium, phosphorus and protein – the aim being to prevent specific side effects. However, there are questions around actual phosphorus absorption levels, the impact of dietary potassium intake alone and the effectiveness of reducing salt at home when >70% of intake comes from processed foods or restaurants.
These recommendations can also be very confusing and limiting – should you eat less fruit and vegetables? Less meat? Less grains, nuts and seeds? But eat more fat and as a result of all the recommended limitations, more processed food and refined sugar?
This might leave you asking the question of what impactful lifestyle changes can you actually take? Well, a meta analysis of approximately just over 15000 people with follow-up, including 3983 mortality events, showed that dietary patterns rich in vegetables and fruits, legumes, whole grains, and fiber together with lower consumption of red meat, sodium, and refined sugars were consistently associated with lower mortality in people with CKD.
In summary: a balanced diet, a focus on total diet quality and holistic body health, coupled with physical exercise, mindfulness and breath work are positive lifestyle changes to support your kidney’s health.
Sources:
Kelly JT, Palmer SC, Wai SN, et al. Healthy Dietary Patterns and Risk of Mortality and ESRD in CKD: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017;12(2):272-279. doi:10.2215/CJN.06190616) ,Clinical Guide to Nutrition Care in Kidney Disease (Third Edition)