|
![](images/education.jpg) |
How diet can affect your blood pressure
High
blood pressure is the second leading cause of chronic kidney disease
that leads to end stage renal disease. But a healthy diet is one of the
ways you can help control your blood pressure. A low-sodium,
reduced-fat diet can help keep blood pressure under control and may
prevent kidney failure and other health problems brought on by high
blood pressure.
What happens if I don’t keep a healthy blood pressure?
High
blood pressure is the second leading cause of chronic kidney disease
after diabetes. Over time, the pressure of the blood through the tiny
blood vessels of the kidneys can cause damage. By making lifestyle
changes such as modifying your diet, exercising, stopping smoking and
losing excess weight, you can help lower your blood pressure and avoid
the complications such as kidney disease, eye disease and heart disease.
Limit sodium to help lower blood pressure
Limit
your intake of sodium. Sodium is present in many processed foods, so be
sure to read nutrition labels carefully. Try to limit your sodium
intake to no more than 2,400 mg each day. Avoid cooking with salt
whenever possible. Take the salt shaker off the table and use other
seasonings and flavorings for salt. However, ask your doctor before
using salt substitutes if you have kidney disease. Not everyone with
high blood pressure is salt-sensitive. You can test yourself by
following a low-sodium diet for two or three weeks; then re-check your
blood pressure to see if it has improved.
Limit fat to help lower blood pressure
Limit
your intake of fat, especially saturated fat. Reducing the amount of
fat you consume may lower your blood pressure and promote weight loss,
which further reduces hypertension. Another reason to control the
amount and type of fat that you eat is that high blood pressure
increases the risk of arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
Limit saturated fats that are in animal products such as the fat in
meats, butter, cheese and whole milk products. Use monounsaturated fats
such as canola oil and olive oil, and polyunsaturated fats including
safflower oil, sunflower oil and soy oil in moderation.
The CKD non-dialysis diet
People
with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are not yet on dialysis may be
given a special diet to follow. The purpose of the diet is to help
prolong kidney function and to keep patients feeling their best by
preventing buildup of fluid and wastes.
Potassium and chronic kidney disease
Potassium
is a mineral found in many of the foods we eat. People with advanced
stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or are on dialysis need to limit
the amount of potassium in their diets. Learn about potassium, what it
does in the body and why it is important to keep potassium levels in a
safe range.
Calcium and chronic kidney disease
Calcium
is one of the well-known minerals; responsible for strong bones and
teeth along with other important body functions. For people with
chronic kidney disease (CKD) their calcium requirements are different
from the general population. Find out about calcium, how it affects
people with kidney disease and what to eat.
Phosphorus binders (or phosphate binders) and the dialysis diet
High
levels of phosphorus in the blood can be dangerous for people with end
stage renal disease (ESRD). The dialysis diet alone cannot control
phosphorus. That’s why your doctor and renal dietitian may recommend
following a low-phosphorus diet combined with taking phosphorus binders
(or phosphate binders) to help keep phosphorus in a safe range.
Phosphate binders prevent your body from absorbing phosphorus from the
food you eat.
|
![](images/call_usnow.jpg)
|
|
|