Reliable dietary research to improve/keep kidney function in ESRF?

[kristina]

Hello,
Does anyone know if there is any reliable data, that is sound research over a period of time,
on diet and nutrition which has shown a positive effect, or even a suggestion,
to help, improve, keep or lengthen kidney function in ESRF?
Even in dialysis patients who have a very limited kidney function?
Many thanks from Kristina. 

[Michael Murphy]

Please be careful there are studies that say a lower protein intake will slow down esrd, however studies show a lower protein level while on Dialysis is indicative of a patient with a higher mortality risk.  If you have foaming urine that is a sign of the kidneys passing protein.  This is one of the reasons dialysis patients loose weight.  The renal dietician at your center is there to help you choose diet options that will maximize the quality of your life and to help prolong your life. 

[Alex C.]

Dr. Walser's book was pretty complete, although the diets offered were pretty severe. I would like to add that there is some evidence that drinking a good amount of fluid will help keep what remaining function you have active longer.

[Deanne]

I think everyone is unique and there isn't a one-size-fits-all diet. There are too many variables. One person might have problems with their phosphorus level, but no problems with potassium. The next person might be the opposite. Someone else might struggle with diabetes. One person might be very athletic, while the next is rather sedate. One person might be 30 years old with many other medical issues. Another might be 70 and otherwise healthy. There's more than just the kidney function, or lack of it, to consider.

Personally, during the short time I was on dialysis (six months), I still urinated a lot, so I didn't have fluid restrictions. I followed a reduced phosphorus diet, but had no problems with potassium. I took iron supplements, but that was enough to keep me from becoming anemic. My albumin level was almost always good, other than the time I caught a cold and I didn't eat well. So my only real restriction was on limiting dairy. That's waaaay more freedom than a lot of people on dialysis have. I'm sure this would have changed over time, but I would have balked at having unnecessary restrictions forced on me, while you might welcome them in case they *might* help.

We're all different.

[MooseMom]

I agree with Deanne.

I know how much you care about your diet and how important good nutrition is to you.  I'm sure that's why you are as healthy as you are despite your various health woes and your dialysis treatments.  But being on dialysis moves the goalposts a bit.  Your dietary needs may well be different now.  I don't know.  Like Deanne says, it's a matter of assessing your current nutritional needs and planning how to meet them.

But you already know all of this.

I personally don't think there is a way of eating that IMPROVES kidney function.  Rather, it is a matter of creating a diet to protect yourself from the effects of CKD/ESRD/dialysis.  Avoiding high phosphorous foods won't improve your kidney function, but it WILL help protect you from the effects of too high serum phosphorus.

Avoiding high potassium foods won't improve your kidney function, but it will protect you from erratic electric pulses to the heart that can result from too high serum potassium.

My mother was on dialysis for 5 years, and she became undernourished.  She was encouraged to eat more protein in the form of lean meat.  I know this may not be an option for you, but I would like to encourage you to keep an open mind.  Dialysis is an entirely different proposition. 

I guess the bottom line is that it's not a matter of eating to improve kidney function, rather, it's a matter of eating to improve your general health.

I hope this makes sense!

[noahvale]

**

[Michael Murphy]

  Moosemom, that answer was concise, well written, informative, simply brilliant.  It was as usual for your posts a gem.

[talker]

I agree with Deanne.

I know how much you care about your diet and how important good nutrition is to you.  I'm sure that's why you are as healthy as you are despite your various health woes and your dialysis treatments.  But being on dialysis moves the goalposts a bit.  Your dietary needs may well be different now.  I don't know.  Like Deanne says, it's a matter of assessing your current nutritional needs and planning how to meet them.

But you already know all of this.

I personally don't think there is a way of eating that IMPROVES kidney function.  Rather, it is a matter of creating a diet to protect yourself from the effects of CKD/ESRD/dialysis.  Avoiding high phosphorous foods won't improve your kidney function, but it WILL help protect you from the effects of too high serum phosphorus.

Avoiding high potassium foods won't improve your kidney function, but it will protect you from erratic electric pulses to the heart that can result from too high serum potassium.

My mother was on dialysis for 5 years, and she became undernourished.  She was encouraged to eat more protein in the form of lean meat.  I know this may not be an option for you, but I would like to encourage you to keep an open mind.  Dialysis is an entirely different proposition. 

I guess the bottom line is that it's not a matter of eating to improve kidney function, rather, it's a matter of eating to improve your general health.

I hope this makes sense!

Ah, you hit the nail smack dab on the head. While I do listen to medical advice regards my kidney condition,
No one knows how I am feeling better then I do.
Were I to totally follow certain medical advice, I would be a true basket case.
When it's suggested to change or follow given advice, I ask 'what do my numbers show!'.
On the machine my numbers all reflect 'good' with one exception.
How can any argue with that!
Even with that 'one exception' I found what can change it toward a more favorable number.
Heck, only 11 more years and I hit the 100 years old mark, so do feel I know a whole bunch of 'is it good for my body' things.
What ever, When I do finally kick the bucket, it won't be from any kidney problem.
So the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, Be seeing ya.

[kristina]

Many thanks to you all for sharing your experiences and your kind thoughts,
it is very much appreciated!... And there are also quite a few inspirational thoughts as well ! Thanks again!
MooseMom mentioned "that the bottom line is that it's not a matter of eating to improve kidney function,
rather, it's a matter of eating to improve your general health. "
How very true and how very well observed !
Perhaps that is what I really meant, because, being on dialysis now,
I do notice some patients in "my" dialysis-centre not being mobile any longer and that makes me wonder ...
Thanks again from Kristina.

[Athena]

I very much agree with Deanne and Moosemum about it being horses for courses. I've also asked the same question in recent times about how to best eat to preserve kidney function and there was no clear answer according to scientific evidence. As MM said, we all need to tailor our diets to protect ourselves against various electrolyte imbalances but that in itself is not a magic formula for kidney preservation. I wish there was a way of eating that could do that!

A renal dietician did suggest to me that not overdoing it with animal protein and dietary sodium so as to put 'less pressure' on the kidneys, but I think you've got that pretty well covered Kristina.

I have also heard that many people on dialysis need to greatly increase their protein intake compared to before. I hope your medical team is giving you some good advice in what must be a very confusing time. All the very best & prays to you.

[Athena]

I agree with Deanne.

I know how much you care about your diet and how important good nutrition is to you.  I'm sure that's why you are as healthy as you are despite your various health woes and your dialysis treatments.  But being on dialysis moves the goalposts a bit.  Your dietary needs may well be different now.  I don't know.  Like Deanne says, it's a matter of assessing your current nutritional needs and planning how to meet them.

But you already know all of this.

I personally don't think there is a way of eating that IMPROVES kidney function.  Rather, it is a matter of creating a diet to protect yourself from the effects of CKD/ESRD/dialysis.  Avoiding high phosphorous foods won't improve your kidney function, but it WILL help protect you from the effects of too high serum phosphorus.

Avoiding high potassium foods won't improve your kidney function, but it will protect you from erratic electric pulses to the heart that can result from too high serum potassium.

My mother was on dialysis for 5 years, and she became undernourished.  She was encouraged to eat more protein in the form of lean meat.  I know this may not be an option for you, but I would like to encourage you to keep an open mind.  Dialysis is an entirely different proposition. 

I guess the bottom line is that it's not a matter of eating to improve kidney function, rather, it's a matter of eating to improve your general health.

I hope this makes sense!

Ah, you hit the nail smack dab on the head. While I do listen to medical advice regards my kidney condition,
No one knows how I am feeling better then I do.
Were I to totally follow certain medical advice, I would be a true basket case.
When it's suggested to change or follow given advice, I ask 'what do my numbers show!'.
On the machine my numbers all reflect 'good' with one exception.
How can any argue with that!
Even with that 'one exception' I found what can change it toward a more favorable number.
Heck, only 11 more years and I hit the 100 years old mark, so do feel I know a whole bunch of 'is it good for my body' things.
What ever, When I do finally kick the bucket, it won't be from any kidney problem.
So the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, Be seeing ya.

Dear Talker, I had no idea of your age and just wanted to let you know that it's a blessing to hear from long term thriving survivors like you.