Kidney disease is a common problem among adults, especially those over 65 years. Those who have the disease usually have to follow a strict diet that helps with the treatment. So is a plant-based diet good for kidney disease, and can it completely cure it?
Diet plays an important role in both prevention and treatment when it comes to kidney disease. The condition becomes chronic if it lasts over three months. Growing scientific evidence shows that certain plant-based diets are indeed good for diseased kidneys.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 37 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Many of these are undiagnosed, which means that their cases are likely to get even worse.
What is Kidney Disease?
The kidney disease or CKD leads to failure of kidney function, which is filtering blood. Kidneys are responsible for removing waste and extra fluids from the blood and pass it out as urine. Due to damage to the kidneys, either physical or chemical, the waste still remains in the body.
It’s a slowly progressing disease that may not show any signs or symptoms in the early stages. In advanced stages, the disease can get dangerous and even cause death.
What are the Kidney Disease Symptoms?
Many of the signs and symptoms of kidney disease are also caused by other conditions, so it can be hard to diagnose until you have a test for kidney disease.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in urine volume and frequency
- Sleep issues
- Harder to focus
- Muscle twitches and cramps
- Itching
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Kidney Disease Five Stages
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has divided the severity of the kidney disease into five stages. This helps doctors with medications and treatment, in general. Different stages require different levels of care.
The stages are divided by the range of Glomerular Function Rate (GFR). The GFR is a measure of the kidney’s function and is measured through a blood test. This blood test measures the creatinine level in the blood (the higher the level of creatinine, the lower the kidney function or GFR).
| Stage 1 | 90% or above (GFR) | Normal |
| Stage 2 | 60 to 89 % | Mild |
| Stage 3 | 30 to 59 % | Mild to Moderate |
| Stage 4 | 15 to 29% | Severe |
| Stage 5 | Less than 15% | Failure |
Source: Nephcure Foundation
Kidney Disease Causes and Risk Factors
Kidney disease is a result of three conditions: nephritis, nephrosis, and nephrotic syndrome.
Nephritis refers to kidney inflammation resulting from an infection, autoimmune disorder, or a side-effect of some medication.
Nephrosis refers to physical or chemical damage to the structure of the kidneys. This condition results in kidney failure.
Nephrotic syndrome is the condition where the kidneys produce unusually high amounts of protein in the urine due to internal damage.
Each of the above conditions can be caused by unique risk factors, ultimately resulting in CKD. The known risk factors for this disease are:
Diabetes
Kidney disease from diabetes is very common. One of the diabetes complications include damage to the kidneys, so those with either type I or type II diabetes are at a higher risk of kidney disease.
The high blood sugar level in the bloodstream can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. According to NKF, 10 o 40% of type II diabetes patients end up getting kidney disease.
Hypertension
High blood pressure or hypertension is also responsible for damaging the blood vessels around kidneys. Those who have hypertension are at risk, but those with both hypertension and diabetes are at even higher risk of kidney failure.
Much like kidney disease, hypertension shows no symptoms until the damage has been done. That’s why it’s the second leading cause for kidney disease, as most people are simply unaware of one causing the other.
Obesity
Obesity is also considered a risk factor, given that it’s a risk factor for both diabetes and high blood pressure. People who are obese have a higher chance of getting kidney disease than those in the normal weight range.
Heart Disease
Both kidney disease and heart disease are linked, as one can cause the other. If you have heart disease, you’re at risk of developing CKD. Such a combination can be deadly, as two of the main organs in your body get damaged.
If you have CKD, you have to manage the levels of certain electrolytes in your body, such as potassium and phosphorus. If those get too high, you will likely develop coronary artery disease (CAD).
Family History
If your family has a history of kidney disease, that also increases the chances of you developing kidney disease. That also means that you have to be extra careful when it comes to prevention.
Those who have an immediate family member with kidney disease or heart disease should regularly get their kidney function checked.
Is a Plant-based Diet Good For Kidney Disease?
A plant-based diet checks out on all the requirements of a diet feasible for someone with kidney disease. Why? It helps with weight management, reduces blood sugar levels and cholesterol, while also preventing cell damage with antioxidants.
The NKF also recommends a plant-based diet for kidney disease. They recommend switching your protein source from red meat to plant-based proteins like tofu.
A plant-based diet is not just good for those who already have the disease, but also those who are at high risks, such as people with type II diabetes.
As more research comes to light, we are learning even more about the benefits of vegetarian diets for kidneys. However, the view was not always favorable, as traditionally people with kidney disease were recommended to avoid vegetables and fruits.
A paper published in Nutrients analyzed and challenged the long-held view about a plant-based diet and kidney disease. It notes that a plant-based diet offers a balanced nutrient profile and controls the risk factors, ultimately reducing the disease’s progress.
As indicated in the paper, meat and meat products increase the acid load in the body, which is already higher due to lower kidney function. On the other hand, vegetables and fruits can balance out these acids in the body.
In people aged 65 or older, kidney disease can increase the risk of heart disease. That’s a double threat that can ultimately take their life. Another reason why a plant-based diet is good for kidney disease is that it’s also good for the heart.
That said, you have to very particular with the plant-based diet you follow. You can tweak the diet to include foods that are particularly good for kidneys and the heart. Similarly, you have to get the right amount of nutrients.
Recommended Nutrient Intake For Kidney Disease
People with kidney disease usually have to adhere to some dietary restrictions. Those restrictions vary depending on the stage of kidney disease you have. The good news is that a plant-based diet should cover most of these restrictions easily.
There are certain nutrients you’ll have to keep a check on. Mostly it’s minerals because your kidneys are not able to filter or process them. As a result, some nutrients can get dangerously high in such patients.
It’s best to work with your doctor to figure out exactly what dietary restrictions apply to you.
Protein
People with kidney disease have to keep protein lower in their diets. However, it may vary depending on the stage of the disease. For some patients undergoing dialysis, a high intake of protein may be necessary.
Sodium
Salt is the main source of sodium for your body, but it’s found in virtually all foods. Generally, you want to keep the sodium intake lower than 2000 mg in a day.
Potassium
Potassium is a highly beneficial mineral, but in people with lower kidney function, the levels of potassium can get dangerously high. This mineral should also be kept lower than 2000 mg per day (normally, you would need 2700 mg of it).
Phosphorus
Similar to sodium and potassium, it’s difficult for kidneys to remove phosphorus. Therefore, it’s intake should be kept lower than 1000 mg per day. Meat and animal products usually have higher levels of phosphorus than plant-based foods.
Foods That Help Repair Kidneys
So we know that a plant-based diet is beneficial for fighting kidney disease, but what foods should you be focusing on? Here’s a small list of foods that are great for treating kidney disease:
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is rich in Vitamins C, K, and B folate. It’s also incredibly fibrous and rich in antioxidants.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable with a similar nutrient profile as cauliflower. However, it’s low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Arugula
You’ll find that leafy greens are generally rich in potassium, but arugula is an expectation. It’s a lower level of potassium makes it ideal for kidney disease patients. Plus, the nitrates in arugula also lower high blood pressure.
Garlic
Garlic is great for preventing and treating a variety of diseases, including heart disease, which is a risk when your kidney function is bad. Adding more garlic will also help reduce salt in your food, as it will make up for the saltiness you’re used to.
More importantly, garlic is an anti-inflammatory food, which will reduce inflammation in your kidney if your kidney disease is a result of nephritis.
Radish
Radish is a great way to reduce sodium intake in your food. Their unique taste requires less salt in the dish. You can use them in salads or savory dishes.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat is one whole grain not rich in phosphorus, unlike whole wheat. In addition, it’s gluten-free, so ideal for those who gluten intolerance.
Blueberries
Blueberries are incredibly rich in antioxidants that will not only help with kidney function but also save your other organs from damage. More importantly, they will balance or neutralize the three minerals you need to control.
Cranberries
Cranberries have long been known for their benefits for preventing and treating urinary tract infections. These contain certain phytonutrients that clear out bacteria from the urinary tract.
With reduced kidney function, your constantly at risk of urinary infections. Therefore, adding more cranberries, whole or in juice, will benefit you immensely.
Pineapple
Since you have to watch what fruits you eat with kidney disease, pineapple is one fruit you can enjoy without any worries. It’s a tropical fruit with low potassium levels.
Olive Oil
If you’re losing weight because of kidney disease, olive oil is a healthy fat that can help you manage weight. Also, the oleic acid in olive oil has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Foods to Limit or Avoid
Is a plant-based diet good for kidney disease? Yes, but can you eat everything? You should keep in mind your dietary restrictions in terms of nutrients. Some plant-based foods are quite rich in potassium and phosphorus. Here’s what you should limit in your diet:
- Bananas
- Whole wheat bread
- Brown rice
- Oranges
- Apricot
- Potatoes
- Avocado
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Raisins
- Dates
Can Kidney Disease Be Reversed?
Kidney disease is a slowly progressing disease with life-threatening complications. However, you can slow it down and even cure it with lifestyle changes, like switching to a plant-based diet. There are examples of people beating kidney disease on a plant-based diet.
As Dr. Michael Greger of NutritionFacts.org explains in this video, the neutral and alkaline nature of plant-based foods heavily contributes to the treatment of kidney disease. Whatever the underlying cause may be, a plant-based diet can target that and gradually make improvements.
You may want to use medications as well that your doctor prescribes, but the natural ways will prove even more beneficial. At the very least, this diet will ensure the disease doesn’t exacerbate or cause heart disease.
Wrap Up
Kidney disease can turn to kidney failure and ultimately cause death. According to the CDC, 340 people get on dialysis every day in the US. Dialysis is a clinical treatment for filtering blood — that’s the last resort for survival when the kidneys fail. Many people over 65 don’t even make it to dialysis.
So is a plant-based diet good for kidney disease? Is it worth trying? Definitely, and you’ll start seeing results in just a few weeks.
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