Diet(Food)for Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD)

It is reported that GFR, which is short for glomerular filtration rate, can measure how well the kidneys filters wastes out of the blood. In normal condition, GFR level is 80 to 120 mL/min while in stage 3 of chronic kidney disease, it falls as low as 30 to 59 mL/min. What’s more, diet (food) or nutrition also plays an important role in preventing complications and stopping it from developing into stage 4. Generally, the principles are as follows:
1. lean meat
It is reported that stage 3 kidney disease patients should eat 0.6g of protein per kg of body weight each day. This means that someone who weighs 150 lbs. would need to eat 41g of protein on a daily basis. Chicken, pork, and other lean meat are all suitable. Fat is really forbidden especially for those who have nephrotic syndrome.
2. low sodium diet
When kidney is damaged, it will be difficult to maintain normal levels of sodium and fluid in blood. In this case, if we take in more sodium, the body will retains fluid, thus causing edema or swelling or dropsy in eyelids, ankles, feet, legs and even hands. Avoid high-sodium snacks like potato chips, salted pretzels, salted popcorn and fast foods. Replace them with low-sodium alternatives, such as unsalted popcorn, unsalted pretzels and unsalted crackers.
3. Low-Phosphorus
Kidney has function of adjusting electrolyte. When kidney is damaged, phosphorus levels increase. Increased phosphorus levels lead to low calcium levels. Replace high-phosphorus foods with lower-phosphorus alternatives, such as hard candy, frozen fruit pops, sherbet, cream cheese, rice milk, popcorn and clear soft drinks.
4. Low-Potassium
When the kidneys stop working properly, it becomes difficult for them to control the amount of potassium in the blood. Elevated potassium levels lead to fatigue, muscle paralysis, irregular heartbeat and other serious problems, so reducing the amount of potassium in the diet helps prevent complications. Avoid fruits and vegetables with high levels of potassium. These foods include bananas, oranges, kiwifruit, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Besides diet or food, treatment is also critical for food or diet can really be considered as natural treatments and assists the therapeutic measures.