Bad Foods or foods bad for kidneys
It is quite imperative to know the list of foods bad for kidneys because the information will help manage kidney failure and also help in preventing crisis relating to scanty urine production, nephritis, kidney failure and other kidney diseases.
When kidneys lose the capacity to produce urine and expel the materials produced within the body, kidney failure occurs. In essence, there are two types of kidney failure. They are:
- Acute kidney failure
- Chronic kidney failure
Acute kidney is a type of kidney failure that requires hospitalization while chronic one is that which typically progress throughout life.
In this case, especially when it seems serious, kidney dialysis is necessary so as to remove toxins from the blood which the kidneys have failed and no longer have the capacity to eliminate through urine.
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In this post, if you consider the list of foods bad for kidneys, you will understand that a vegetarian diet is much more preferable and advantageous over any other sort of diet.
In cases of kidney failure and other type of kidney diseases, it is advisable to stick to vegetarian diet because it contains less phosphorus and sodium as well as proteins and other nutrients or substances that seem to overload the kidneys.
In order to improve the course of kidney failure, here are the foods bad for kidneys below. It is important to recognize the foods bad for kidneys as the ones whose intake should be reduced or eliminated.
List of foods bad for kidneys
The following are the foods bad for kidneys and these foods should be eliminated from diet plan.
- Shellfish
- Meat
- Vitamins and supplements
Other nutrients whose intake should be reduced are:
- Proteins
- Sodium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Shellfish
Shellfish contains different toxins which if they cannot be gotten rid of, in cases of kidney failure can produce serious intoxication. I wrote a detailed article on shellfish, click on the link to see more information regarding shellfish disease.
Meat
Proteins found in meat readily overload the kidney and just like shellfish, meat contains nitrogenated non-protein substances such as urea, creatinine and certain variety of purines. All these substances must be flushed from the body by the kidneys.
As a matter of, when the organs, i.e. the kidneys cannot perform in order to eliminate the unwanted substances, meat consumption becomes poisonous to the body and the course of kidney failure deteriorates.
As it is, meat here is considered as one of the foods bad for kidneys.
Vitamins and Supplements
When kidney failure occurs, kidney’s capacity to eliminate excess vitamins and minerals will be reduced and this will lead their high levels in the blood which can emanate to toxic levels.
In essence, vitamin A supplement should be done away with because it presents the highest risk of toxicity.
However, the vitamin A supplement risk or toxicity is not the same and does not exist in the case of provitamin A and beta-carotene which are derived from vegetable sources and other plant based foods.
Other nutrients and substances
Proteins
Uric acid, urea, creatinine and certain acids and also the products left after the body must have metabolized pose greater risks if not eliminated from the body by the kidneys.
Individuals should ensure proper checkups are carried out periodically so as to know health conditions. When the organs failed to eliminate these products, toxins accumulate in the body and this is quite dangerous.
As a matter of fact, it is important to consume proteins that are vital to keep the nitrogen balance going. For individuals battling kidney failure or other kidney diseases, protein restriction improves the course of the ailment. People suffering from kidney failure should consider protein as one of the foods bad for kidneys.
Sodium
When kidneys become weak, they lose the capacity to eliminate sodium properly. The retention of sodium within the body produces edemas in the tissues. Therefore, daily intake of this substance should not exceed 500 mg. As one of the foods bad for kidneys, it is advisable to not consume processed foods and animal based foods since they are the highest in sodium.
Phosphorus
Blood phosphorus levels increase when they kidneys are unable to function properly and this results in decalcification (loss of calcium) and metabolic acidosis. Nuts, grains and animal products make up the highest levels of phosphorus.
A specialist help is needed to establish a diet that does not exceed the recommended dietary allowance of 2 grams on a daily.
Potassium
It is only serious cases of kidney failure or diseases that require potassium restriction. However, mild or moderate cases of kidney failure does not require restriction of potassium.
In essence, when the organs are not able to eliminate or excrete the wastes through urine, cardiac function may be affected.
This nutrient is primarily found in plant based foods. Therefore, a specialist should also do what is described under the heading above (phosphorus heading).
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A graduate of Computer Science and Information Management Technology. Diploma – Caregiving, Certificates – Dementia and Diabetes Awareness and Management. A researcher, blogger, songwriter, singer and acoustic guitarist. Born in an environment where natural talents such as healing are imparted at our natural birth. This natural talents of healing is the result of our genetic inheritance and the training from family environment.