The kidneys are fragile organs that don't repair and regenerate well. To take care of them, it's essential to understand how they work and how food affects them. The main causes of kidney damage are type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and kidney infections, which are often linked to sugar and insulin resistance.
There are five stages of kidney disease, and the foods recommended for each stage are different. Stage one is considered normal, stage two is early kidney disease, and stages three and four have moderate to severe damage. Stage five is kidney failure.
For stages three and four, it's recommended to limit sodium to below 2,000 mg per day, phosphorus to less than 1,000 mg, and protein to between 60 and 80 grams per day. Potassium should be limited to below 3,000 mg per day for stage 3B and below 2,000 mg for stage four.
Foods that are recommended for kidney health include:
* Low-carb, high-fat diets or whole food diets
* Foods low in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium, such as:
+ Apples (but beware of the sugar content)
+ Bell peppers
+ Berries (especially raspberries)
+ Cabbage
+ Cauliflower
+ Green leaf lettuce
+ Onion
+ Egg whites (but consider eating whole eggs for better protein utilization)
+ Meat and fish (in moderation)
+ Garlic, ginger, and turmeric (in small quantities)
It's essential to work with a medical doctor, especially in stage five, and to limit sodium, potassium, and phosphorus intake. Protein should be limited, but high-quality protein can help rebuild tissues.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The kidneys are fragile organs that do not repair and regenerate well.
2. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a common condition that affects about 1 in 7 people in the United States.
3. CKD is also known as stage 3 kidney disease, which is defined as a filtration rate below 60 milliliters per minute.
4. The number one cause of CKD is type 2 diabetes, followed by hypertension (high blood pressure).
5. Kidney damage can also be caused by kidney infections, over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and Tylenol, and other factors.
6. Sugar and insulin resistance are major contributors to kidney damage.
7. The stages of kidney disease are: stage 1 (normal filtration rate), stage 2 (mildly damaged kidneys), stage 3 (moderately damaged kidneys), stage 4 (severely damaged kidneys), and stage 5 (kidney failure).
8. Stage 5 kidney disease affects about 2 million people worldwide, with the United States accounting for almost half of these cases.
9. People with kidney disease need to limit certain foods, including sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, because their kidneys cannot filter these substances adequately.
10. Protein is essential for rebuilding tissue, but large amounts of protein can be toxic to the kidneys.
11. Exercise, stress reduction, and a low-carb, high-fat diet or whole food diet can help prevent kidney disease.
12. Certain foods, such as apples, bell peppers, berries, cabbage, cauliflower, green leaf lettuce, onions, egg whites, meat, fish, garlic, ginger, and turmeric, are beneficial for people with kidney disease.
13. The recommended daily intake of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus varies depending on the stage of kidney disease.
14. People with stage 3 and 4 kidney disease should limit their sodium intake to below 2,000 mg per day and their phosphorus intake to less than 1,000 mg per day.
15. Potassium intake should be limited to below 3,000 mg per day for people with stage 3B kidney disease and below 2,000 mg per day for those with stage 4 kidney disease.