THE BEST FOODS TO INCREASE KIDNEY FUNCTION

May 15, 2011 | By Joe King, M.S. Joe King began writing fitness and nutrition articles in 2001 for the "Journal of Hyperplasia Research" and Champion Nutrition. As a personal trainer, he has been helping clients reach their fitness goals for more than a decade. King holds a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from California State University, Hayward, and a Master of Science in exercise physiology from California State University, East Bay. Your kidneys are a major part of your urinary system and are essential for the removal of waste products from your body. The kidneys also play a role in the regulation of blood pressure, hormone secretion, and acid-base balance. Your kidneys may not function optimally when you eat foods that contain high levels of minerals, such as sodium and potassium, which can place excess stress on your kidneys. Maintaining healthy kidneys is necessary for normal body functioning.

Rice
Rice is a carbohydrate that can provide your body with adequate amounts of energy with very low potassium. Although your body requires potassium for many essential functions, excess potassium will be filtered out of your body by your kidneys. If there is too much potassium in your blood stream, your kidneys may become overwhelmed. Rice can be included in your diet as an alternative to starchy carbohydrates that naturally contain large amounts of potassium. 5 Foods That Burn Belly Fat The Ultimate Healthy Living Toolbar Get Daily Fitness Tips & More. Free www.dailyfitnesscenter.com
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Soy Protein
Dairy products, as well as most animal products, contain a mineral called phosphorous. Phosphorous is a nutrient that helps promote bone health. However, excess phosphorus can have the opposite effect and weaken your bones. Your kidneys will naturally attempt to filter out any excess phosphorus in your blood stream, but too much phosphorus can overload your kidneys, resulting in damage to the sensitive tissues that remove toxins from your body. To help

keep phosphorus levels in check, try substituting some dairy products with soy-based alternatives. Soy contains many of the same nutrients as dairy, but much less phosphorus. This can help protect your kidneys from damage due to excess phosphorous intake.

Fruits and Vegetables

High protein diets can place stress on your kidneys by producing a compound called urea. Urea is a naturally occurring byproduct of protein metabolism. If your diet contains high levels of protein, high levels of urea are forced through your kidneys, potentially damaging them and limiting their ability to remove other harmful toxins from your blood. Cutting back on protein in favor of more fruits and vegetables can help control the amount of urea your kidneys have to filter.

Low Sodium Foods

Sodium, or salt, plays a role in the regulation of your blood pressure and kidney health. Too much sodium can cause your kidneys to have difficulty functioning, which can lead to even more sodium buildup in your body. Excess sodium intake can be dangerous for your kidneys and blood pressure, and can cause abnormal swelling throughout your body. By removing high sodium foods in your diet and replacing them with lower sodium foods, you can greatly improve kidney health. Foods that are high in sodium include canned or processed foods, lunch meats, and many sauces. Low or no sodium foods include different kinds of breads and beans.

Low-phosphorus diet: Best for kidney disease? Why is a low-phosphorus diet useful in managing kidney disease? What foods contain phosphorus? Answer
from Erik P. Castle, M.D. The kidneys help regulate the level of phosphorus in your blood. If your kidney function is impaired, eventually you'll likely have elevated phosphorus levels (hyperphosphatemia). In turn, the elevated phosphorus decreases the level of calcium in your blood, which can lead to bone disease. Often, 800 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) of phosphorus a day is the limit for someone who has kidney disease. Most healthy adults may eat double this amount.

Nearly every food contains some phosphorus, so you can't eliminate all phosphorus from your diet. Generally foods high in protein (some meats, dairy products, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds) are higher in phosphorus. Therefore, unless you're receiving kidney dialysis, you'll be asked to eat smaller quantities of them. Whole grains also are higher in phosphorus, so choose refined ones. The following list may help you identify which foods to select.

Instead of these higher phosphorus foods:

Milk, pudding or yogurt (from animals and from many soy varieties)

Choose these lower phosphorus foods:

Rice milk (unfortified) or nondairy creamer

Hard cheeses or Neufchatel cheese

Cream cheese or cottage cheese

Ice cream or frozen yogurt

Sherbet or frozen fruit pops

Soups made with higher phosphorus ingredients (milk, peas, beans, lentils)

Soups made with lower phosphorus ingredients (broth- or water-based with other lower phosphorus ingredients)

Whole grains, including whole-grain breads, crackers, cereal, rice and pasta

Refined grains, including white bread, crackers, cereals, rice and pasta

Quick breads, biscuits, cornbread, muffins, pancakes or waffles

Refined (white) dinner rolls, bagels, English muffins or croissants

Peas (fresh green, split, black-eyed), beans (black, garbanzo, lima, kidney, navy, pinto) or lentils

Green peas (canned, frozen), green beans or wax beans

Starchy vegetables: corn, parsnips, pumpkin or sweet potato

Starchy vegetables: potato, rutabaga or winter squash

Other vegetables: artichokes, asparagus,

Other vegetables: cabbage, beets, carrots,

broccoli, mushrooms, peapods (cooked) or spinach

celery, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, onions, tomatoes or summer squash

Organ meats, walleye, pollock or sardines

Beef, pork, lamb, poultry or other fish

Fats: cream (including fat-free, half and half), sesame butter (tahini) or sour cream

Fats: butter, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, shortening or vegetable oils

Chocolate

Hard candy or gumdrops

Cola soft drinks

Lemon-lime soda, ginger ale or root beer

This chart is only a partial listing of suggestions for foods lower in phosphorus. Your needs may vary depending on your kidney function. Manufacturers may use phosphorus-containing ingredients when processing foods to thicken, improve taste or prevent discoloration. Look at the ingredients list to see if phosphorus has been added and choose a similar food item that doesn't have such additives. Look for any ingredient that contains "phos" in the term. Dozens of additives contain phosphorus. Here are some examples:

Calcium phosphate Disodium phosphate Phosphoric acid Tricalcium phosphate Monopotassium phosphate Pyrophosphate polyphosphates Food manufacturers aren't required to list the amount of phosphorus in foods on food labels. For help creating a meal plan that meets your needs, consult a registered dietitian. He or she can help you make sure that you're getting adequate nutrition while following the dietary guidelines provided by your doctor.

Because it's difficult to lower phosphorus in your diet, your doctor may recommend a phosphate binder medication that can help control the amount of phosphorus your body absorbs from foods you eat. Your doctor may also recommend calcium and other supplements depending on your nutritional needs. Also, be sure to avoid medications and supplements that contain phosphorus.

Water

Almost everyone can benefit from an increase water intake. Drinking a lot of water prevents dehydration and aids the kidneys in filtering the blood. The kidneys need water to produce urine. Without it, the waste forms solid kidney stones that are painful to pass through your urethra. Drinking water also prevents urinary tract infections. It is a well-known fact when urinary tract infections worsen, they can develop into kidney infections that can require hospitalization and cause irreversible damage to your kidneys.

Sodium Substitutes

If your diet contains a lot of salt, you are at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease. If you want to keep your kidneys healthy, stay away from high-sodium foods. You can reduce your sodium intake by as much as 30 percent by simply not adding salt at the table. Some people turn to salt substitutes to improve their kidney health. If you do use a sodium substitute, avoid one with potassium as ingredient. Elevated levels of potassium may be harmful to your kidney health. Sponsored Links
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Rice

You should also avoid potassium for proper kidney function. Your nerves and muscles need potassium to work, but high potassium levels can weaken your

muscles. Kidneys remove excess potassium from the blood when they are working properly. If you have too much potassium in your blood, your kidneys will be forced to work harder to remove it. One of the most versatile foods that is also low in potassium is rice. By substituting rice for potatoes, you can reduce your potassium intake and promote healthy kidney function.

Soy Milk and Cheese

Your bones need the mineral phosphorous to remain strong. Healthy kidneys will keep the levels of phosphorus in your blood from getting too high and having adverse effects on your health. Too much phosphorus may be more than your kidneys can handle and cause kidney failure. This causes the level of phosphorus in your blood to continue to rise, making your bones weak and brittle. Dairy products contain a lot of phosphorus. Substituting milk and cheese for versions made with soy will greatly reduce your phosphorous intake and may boost your overall kidney health.

Vegetables

As protein is metabolized, the waste product urea is produced. The kidneys remove the urea from the body. Protein is necessary part of your diet, but too much protein can overtax your kidneys. One of the ways to increase kidney health is to cut back on protein. You can replace large amounts of proteins in your diet with vegetables. Two or three times a week, try making vegetables the main component of your meal instead of meat. Vegetarian options will work wonders for your kidney health. For example, you can substitute a slice of pepperoni pizza for veggie pizza.

15 super foods for kidney health

Most of us know that eating a balanced diet is important for good health. Now scientists have pinpointed certain foods as super foods. In addition to promoting overall health, these are foods for kidney health as well. To understand why they're called super foods, we first have to understand oxidation and free radicals. Oxidation is a normal bodily process for producing energy and is part of many chemical changes in your body. However, it can sometimes lead to the production of molecules called free

radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that bounce wildly around inside your body, damaging proteins, genes and cell membranes. Free radicals are believed to contribute to aging and many chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. The good news is super foods contain antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals. Even in relatively low amounts, antioxidants can help slow or stop the rate of oxidation caused by free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include flavonoids, lycopene and vitamins C, E and betacarotene.
Super foods for your kidneys

If you are on dialysis or have chronic kidney disease (CKD), you'll be glad to know that there are lots of super foods, containing antioxidants and other health-supporting properties, included in the kidney diet. People with kidney disease experience more inflammation and have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without kidney problems. If you have kidney disease, it's important that you consult a renal dietitian and follow a kidney diet. Including super foods in your kidney diet eating plan can help you increase your intake of nutrients and antioxidants. Heres a list of the top 15 kidney-friendly super foods. These foods are good for everyone, not just people with kidney disease, so by using them in your family's meals, you'll be helping your loved ones enjoy good health too. 1. Red bell peppers Red bell peppers are a good choice for those concerned about kidney health, because they're low in potassium. In addition, they add color and taste to any dish, while packing a generous portion of vitamins A, C, B6, folic acid and fiber. They also contain the antioxidant lycopene, which protects against certain types of cancer. If you're following the kidney diet, it's easy to add red bell peppers to your food plan. Mix them into tuna or chicken salad or eat raw with dip. Roasted, they're great for topping sandwiches or green salads. Chop them up for use in egg dishes, such as omelets or scrambled eggs, add them to kabobs for grilling or stuff them with a ground beef or turkey mixture for a tasty baked entre. 2. Cabbage

Crunchy cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable filled with phytochemicals, chemical compounds found in certain fruits and vegetables. Phytochemicals work to break apart free radicals. Many phytochemicals are believed to combat cancer and support cardiovascular health. Inexpensive cabbage is a great addition to your eating plan, because it's also high in vitamins K and C, high in fiber and a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid, yet it's low in potassium, so it's especially kidney-friendly. If you're following the dialysis diet, add cabbage by turning it into coleslaw or use as a topping for fish tacos. Cabbage can be boiled, steamed or microwaved and then enjoyed with a touch of butter or cream cheese and a sprinkling of pepper or caraway seeds. Other nutritious meal options include cabbage rolls and stuffed cabbage. 3. Cauliflower Another kidney-friendly super food is cauliflower. This cruciferous vegetable brings lots of vitamin C to your plate, along with folate and fiber. In addition it contains compounds that help your liver neutralize toxic substances. Cauliflower can be eaten raw with dip or in salads. Steamed or boiled, it can be seasoned and turned into a great side dish. You can even mash cauliflower as a dialysis-friendly replacement for mashed potatoes. 4. Garlic Garlic is good for reducing inflammation and lowering cholesterol. It also has antioxidant and anti-clotting properties. (Cooking garlic will not affect its antioxidant properties, but it will reduce its anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory effects.) If you're following the dialysis diet, use garlic powder instead of garlic salt to add extra flavor to your meals without adding extra sodium. Garlic can be used in cooking many dishes: meat, vegetables or tomato sauce, for instance. Once you start cooking with garlic, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. 5. Onion

Another popular food used for seasoning is the onion. Onion is full of flavonoids, particularly quercetin. Flavonoids are natural chemicals that prevent the deposit of fatty material in blood vessels and add pigmentation (color) to plants. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to help reduce heart disease and protect against many forms of cancer. It also has antiinflammatory properties. Low in potassium, onions are not only kidney-friendly; they also contain chromium, a mineral that assists your body with the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Onions can be enjoyed raw or cooked in a variety dishes. 6. Apples An apple a day really does help keep the doctor away! High in fiber and anti-inflammatory properties, apples help reduce cholesterol, prevent constipation, protect against heart disease and decrease your risk of cancer. Renal-friendly apples can be eaten raw or cooked. Or get their health benefits by drinking apple juice or cider. 7. Cranberries Cranberries are great for preventing urinary tract infections, because they make urine more acidic and help keep bacteria from attaching to the inside of the bladder. They've also been shown to protect against cancer and heart disease. Although we think of cranberries as a holiday side dish, cranberry juice can be enjoyed daily for added nutrition. Or toss a handful of dried cranberries into your cereal or salad. 8. Blueberries These tasty berries get their blue color from antioxidant compounds called anthocyanidins. Blueberries get high marks for nutrition, thanks to natural compounds that reduce inflammation and lots of vitamin C and fiber. They also contain manganese, which contributes to healthy bones.

Use blueberries to top off your morning cereal, whip them up in a fruit smoothie or enjoy them in a baked treat, such as muffins or crisp. 9. Raspberries Raspberries contain a compound called ellagic acid, which helps neutralize free radicals. The berry's red color comes from antioxidants called anthocyanins. Raspberries are packed with fiber, vitamin C and manganese. They also have plenty of folate, a B vitamin. Raspberries have properties that help stop cancer cell growth and the formation of tumors. Sprinkle fresh raspberries on cereal, or whip them up in a kidney-friendly fruit smoothie. 10. Strawberries Strawberries are rich in two types of antioxidants, plus they contain lots of vitamin C, manganese and fiber. They have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties and also help keep your heart healthy. Like most berries, they're wonderful on cereal or in smoothies. Add whipped topping for a quick dessert, or puree them for a fresh addition to pound or angel food cake. 11. Cherries Cherries are filled with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect your heart. When eaten daily, they have been shown to reduce inflammation. Fresh cherries make a delicious snack. Of course, cherry pie is a popular dessert, but there's also cherry crisp, cherry cheesecake and even cherry coffee cake. Cherry sauce makes a nice accompaniment to lamb or pork. 12. Red grapes The color in red grapes comes from several flavonoids. These are good for your heart, because they prevent oxidation and reduce the chance of blood clots. One flavonoid in grapes, resveratrol, may boost production of nitric oxide, which increases muscle relaxation in blood

vessels for better blood flow. Flavonoids also help protect you from cancer and prevent inflammation. Choose those with red or purple skin grapes for the highest flavonoid content. Eat grapes as a snack. When frozen, they make a good thirst-quencher for those on a fluid-restricted diet. Add grapes to fruit or chicken salad. Or drink grape juice. 13. Egg whites Did you know that egg whites are pure protein? They provide the highest quality protein there is, along with all of the essential amino acids. If you're on the kidney diet, it's good to note that egg whites have less phosphorus than other protein sources, such as egg yolks or meats. Use egg whites for omelets or egg white sandwiches. You can also add them to smoothies or shakes. Hard boil eggs and use the whites to use in tuna or green salads. 14. Fish Another high-quality source of protein is fish. Both the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association recommend that you include fish in your meal plan two or three times a week. Besides being a great source of protein, fish contains anti-inflammatory fats called omega-3s. These healthy fats help prevent diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. They also help lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (the good cholesterol). The types of fish that have the most omega-3s are salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, herring and rainbow trout. 15. Olive oil Research has shown that people in countries where olive oil is used instead of other types of oils tend to have lower rates of cancer and heart disease. This is believed to be due to olive oil's many good components: oleic acid, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid which protects against oxidation and polyphenols and antioxidant compounds that prevent inflammation and oxidation. Use virgin or extra virgin olive oil they're higher in antioxidants. Olive oil can be used in cooking or to make salad dressing, as a dip for bread and as a marinade for vegetables.

Summary

If you're concerned about the health of your own kidneys or somebody else's these 15 super foods for kidney health should be on your grocery-shopping list. Ask a renal dietitian for help including them in your kidney-friendly meal plan if you have chronic kidney disease. When buying fruits and vegetables, get the freshest ones you can find and be sure to include a variety, since some are rich in one nutrient and others are rich in another. If you can only find fruits that are not at their peak, the flavor may be lessened, but you'll still get good nutritional value from them for your kidney health.