How Do I Protect My Kidneys On A Keto Diet?
High-fat, low-carbohydrate diets are gaining popularity for reasons like weight loss, blood sugar management, and enhanced energy. But can eating meals like these hurt your kidneys or worsen pre-existing kidney disease? This tutorial will look at the latest research on low-carbohydrate diets and how to improve kidney function.
Let's review what our kidneys do and how they can be harmed.
Then we'll talk about the low-carbohydrate diet for the average healthy renal eater. We'll examine two of the most common concerns of potential low-carbs:
- Can a high-protein, low-carb diet harm renal function?
- Can a low-carb diet cause kidney stones?
A low-carbohydrate diet is beneficial for those with mild or severe renal illness, as stated in the last section.
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What are the functions of the kidneys?
Fist-shaped organs in the back of the belly are the kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped nodules. On a 24-hour basis, each kidney produces urine that is expelled from the bladder. On a daily basis, your kidneys process a large volume of blood:
- A person's body should be rid of excess fluid and acid.
- It's critical to maintain a proper fluid, mineral, and electrolyte equilibrium.
- Maintain a healthy blood pressure level.
- It is necessary to get rid of all harmful substances and medications.
As well as producing hormones that support bone and blood health, the kidneys also produce calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D.
To put it another way, the kidneys are like the city's waterworks department. As a result, it is imperative that we take good care of our kidneys by eating and living sensibly.
How the kidneys have been harmed.
It is possible for kidney damage to be caused by a variety of medical illnesses and medications as well as genetics.
However, the most prevalent causes of kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension, which can damage the kidney's delicate blood vessels and tissues.
Chronic renal disease and, ultimately, kidney failure might develop if the underlying causes of these two diseases are not addressed.
What is causing kidneys to damage?
Glucose in the bloodstream can attach to key proteins in diabetes if levels of blood sugar remain high for an extended time. To characterize the process that leads in the production of advanced glycation and its derivatives, the word "glycation" is frequently used (called AGEs). Anti-aging effects can lead to abnormal protein and receptor modifications in the body that can cause long-term kidney damage. As more tissue is damaged, the progression of diabetic nephropathy develops, which is also known as the progression of glycation.
Pressure is the root cause of high blood pressure. Blood that is traveling too quickly or with too much force can cause scarring in the kidneys, which can lead to renal failure and death. Chronic renal disease or kidney failure may arise as a result of this decline in kidney function.
Preventing and treating diabetes and high blood pressure are two of the most important things you can do to keep your kidneys healthy.
By adopting a low-carbohydrate lifestyle, diabetes and high blood pressure can be greatly improved, if not fully reversed.
Keto diet for people with healthy kidneys
Symptoms of diabetes and high blood pressure can be improved by a low-carbohydrate diet, and kidney damage can be prevented by this diet. Is it possible, however, that the diet itself could have an impact on kidney health?
Ketogenic diets, low-carbohydrate diets, and kidney health have been the subject of debate throughout the years.
Kidneys and proteins function normally.
When it comes to one's kidney health, why should one be concerned about protein consumption? When the kidneys are injured, protein leaks out into the urine. Proteinuria is an indication of a problem with the kidney's filtering system.
So, some people feel that eating too much protein can lead to proteinuria and kidney impairment. Some people wonder if a low-carb diet causes proteinuria because they think of it as a high-protein diet, which can cause proteinuria.
As a general, the protein content of a well prepared low-carb diet is minimal. Reduced carbohydrate intake does not immediately correlate to reduced protein intake, as many people assume. Protein consumption for healthy adults should be between 1.2 and 2 grams per kilogramme of body weight per day.
Keto diet and kidney stone risk
A diet low in carbohydrates may increase the chance of developing kidney stones. It's a big deal, and you need to take it seriously.
Kidney stones are composed of a concentrated type of mineral salts. It's caused by the crystallization of urine's highly concentrated chemical components. A golf ball-sized clump of diseased tissue can be seen in certain patients during their earliest stages.
When it comes to kidney stones, oxalate and phosphate are the two most common substances found in them (80 percent ). About 9% of the total is caused by steatite stones and uric acid. The presence of cysteine in the stone is extremely unusual (less than 1%), and it usually only happens in families who are predisposed to the condition.
Conclusion
A ketogenic diet can be safely consumed by people with normal renal function. An extremely low-carb or ketogenic diet is an excellent way to avoid developing diabetes or hypertension. This diet is not only healthy for people with normal renal function; rather, it can actually help prevent them from getting kidney disease. The disease may also be at an early stage
In order to avoid further renal calcification as a result of kidney stones, people with a history of kidney stones or those who have already had kidney stones should consume oxalate before starting a low-carbohydrate diet. Add moderate protein intake and moderate hydration to your diet. Taking these steps can help prevent the formation of more kidney stones.
A nephrologist should be consulted before a low-carbohydrate diet is used by patients with advanced renal disease. Your doctor can help you.