Low-protein diets may prevent or slow the progress of some kinds of kidney disease. The amount of protein you can eat is based on how well your kidneys are functioning and the amount of protein needed to maintain good health.
The amount of protein allowed in your diet is determined by checking the amount of protein (and protein waste byproducts) in your blood as well as some other laboratory tests. The suggested amount of protein in a low-protein diet is 0.6g/kg/day.
If you have a type of kidney disease (such as nephrotic syndrome) that leads to loss of large amounts of protein in your urine, your kidney specialist will recommend a moderate protein restriction of 0.8g/kg/day.
How sodium and potassium are restricted, and by how much, depends on the level of these electrolytes in your blood. Reducing sodium in your diet helps you control high blood pressure and avoid congestive heart failure.
In addition to sodium and potassium, the mineral phosphorus often needs to be controlled. To do this, you may be told to reduce intake of dairy products and other foods high in phosphorus. You may need to take supplements of calcium to prevent bone disease and vitamin D to control the balance of calcium and phosphorous in the body .
If dietary measures to lower phosphorus are not enough, "phosphorus binders" may be recommended by your doctor. These medications bind the phosphorus in your food and make them unavailable to your body.
When you have kidney failure, the amount of urine your body produces may decrease. The amount of fluids you can drink each day is based on the amount of urine you produce in a 24-hour period. Other considerations on whether fluid must be restricted are the amount of fluid you retain, the level of sodium in your diet, whether you use diuretics, and whether you have congestive heart failure.
Your daily calorie intake needs to be enough to keep you healthy and prevent the breakdown of body tissue. Your weight and protein status should be monitored regularly, sometimes even daily.
Vitamin supplementation is very individualized. It depends on your various dietary restrictions and the extent of kidney damage. Your requirements for vitamins A, E, and K are usually met by what you eat. Your intake of the B vitamins and vitamin C is usually adequate unless you begin dialysis.
The recommended supplementation of calcium is 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams per day. Magnesium supplementation is NOT recommended, as it can cause an increase in the magnesium levels in the blood if you have kidney disease. Iron is usually supplemented because most patients with advanced kidney failure also have severe anemia; the amount would be determined by your doctor.
