Kidney Disease Nutrition - Eating Right for Chronic Kidney Disease

Bottle gourd, also known as lauki, is considered a healthy vegetable for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) because it's low in sodium and potassium. Bottle gourd juice can also help with kidney health in other ways, including: 

Reducing inflammation: Bottle gourd juice can help reduce inflammation in the kidneys. 

Treating urinary tract infections: Bottle gourd juice can help treat urinary tract infections, especially when mixed with fresh lime juice. 

Breaking calculus: Regular consumption of bottle gourd can help break up kidney stones. 

Alkaline mixture: Bottle gourd can act as an alkaline mixture to treat kidney infections. 

Bottle gourd is also rich in antioxidants and may help treat liver inflammation. 

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Snake gourd (Tricosanthes cucumerina) is a fruit that is eaten as a vegetable and is considered protective for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It can help detoxify the kidneys, remove waste, and prevent kidney stones. Some say that drinking snake gourd juice is the best way to support kidney and bladder function. 

Other vegetables that may be protective for people with CKD include: eggplant, ridge gourd, tomato, cucumber, and drumsticks. 

Other foods that may be protective for people with CKD include: 

Pulses and products like lentils, soy protein, green vegetables, and chickpeas 

Fruits like apples, guavas, pears, papayas, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and red grapes 

Nuts and seeds like almonds and walnuts 

Milk and milk products like low fat milk, low fat curd, and low fat paneer 

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Bitter gourd (karela) is generally safe to eat in moderate amounts if you have kidney disease, but you should consult a healthcare provider before adding it to your diet. Some say that bitter gourd can help regulate creatinine levels in the blood, which is a waste product produced by muscles that the kidneys filter. High creatinine levels can be a sign of kidney disease. Other vegetables that may help with kidney disease include red bell pepper, cucumber, and onions. 

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Yes, ridge gourd, also known as torai, can be part of a healthy diet for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Other vegetables that can be included in a CKD diet include: 

Bottle gourd, Apple gourd (tinda), Coccinia (kundru), Onion, Capsicum, Snake gourd, Eggplant, Cucumber, and Drumsticks. 

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https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/eating-nutrition

https://www.associatesinnephrologypc.com/2020/10/15/the-best-and-worst-foods-for-your-kidneys/

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002442.htm

https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/advice/diet-and-nutrition-goals-for-people-with-stage-3-chronic-kidney-disease

https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/potassium-your-ckd-diet

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15641-renal-diet-basics

https://www.kidneyfund.org/living-kidney-disease/healthy-eating-activity/kidney-friendly-eating-plan

https://www.kidneytransplantdoc.com/terms/diet-in-chronic-kidney-disease/5243

https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/advice/what-to-eat-when-you-have-stage-1-or-2-kidney-disease

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/diet-and-chronic-kidney-disease

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lower-frequency-of-vegetable-and-fruit-intake-linked-to-higher-risk-of-death-regardless-of-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd-status#More-nuanced-recommendations

https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/root-vegetables

https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/advice/top-15-healthy-foods-for-people-with-kidney-disease

Chronic Kidney Disease - Tests and Treatment Information

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease

https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd

Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease
November 2008

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), is  defined by a reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). It is increasing because of the greater prevalence of obesity and hypertension but in greater part because of improved longevity. Because GFR declines 1% per year for every year of life after the third decade, living longer means that it is possible to outlive one’s renal function and to require renal replacement therapy to stay alive. Longevity increases the risk of developing diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerotic vascular disease, that have direct adverse effects on kidney function.

http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/articles/communique/2008/11.html

Ud. 29.8.2024

Pub 30.12.2016

Arteries in Gluteals, Thighs, Knee, Leg, Ankle and Foot

 

Arteries of the legs

Leg arteries include:

Femoral. Derived from the external iliac artery, this artery supplies blood to the thigh and divides into the various smaller arteries that supply the legs.

Genicular. This supplies blood to the knee region.

Popliteal. This is the name given to the femoral artery as it passes below the knee.

Anterior and posterior tibial. Derived from the popliteal artery, these arteries supply blood to the lower portion of the leg. When they reach the ankle, they divide further to supply the ankle and foot region.

https://www.healthline.com/health/arteries-of-the-body 

https://teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/vessels/arterial-supply/

https://www.orthobullets.com/foot-and-ankle/12114/blood-supply-to-the-foot

Reversing Prediabetes

 Am J Prev Med. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2023 Aug 11.Published in final edited form as:Am J Prev Med. 2022 Apr; 62(4): 614–625. Published online 2022 Feb 10. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.10.020

PMCID: PMC10420389NIHMSID: NIHMS1921272PMID: 35151523

Interventions for Reversing Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10420389/

Prediabetes

Shantal Alvarez; Ryan Coffey; Priyanka M. Mathias; Amit M. Algotar.

Last Update: July 17, 2023.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459332/

HbA1c - Test and Interpretation

 

HbA1c  - 5.7

What does an A1c level of 5.7 mean? 

An A1c level of 5.7 means that 5.7% of the hemoglobin in your blood is saturated with sugar. 

An A1c of 5.7 is considered elevated and means your blood sugar levels have been raised over the last few months. 

Elevated A1c levels of 5.7-6.4 percent are considered prediabetes. There is risk for developing diabetes. 

Diet and lifestyle changes may be effective for getting your levels back into the optimal range without the need for medications. You can lowering your A1c back into the optimal range (4-5.6%). 

One possible sign of prediabetes is a darkening of the skin and sometimes skin tags on certain parts of the body including the neck, armpits, elbows, knuckles, and knees.  Common symptoms of diabetes that are important to be aware of include increased thirst, frequent urination, excess hunger, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and/or blurred vision.

Factors that could contribute to an A1c level of 5.7: 

Diet, particularly those high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars, and low in fiber.

Overweight/ obesity

Sedentary lifestyle 

Age

Race (people of Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent are at greater risk for prediabetes/ diabetes.)

Stress

Use of certain medications, including glucocorticoids

Genetics (family history of pre-diabetes or diabetes)

Pregnancy

Chronic disease/ inflammation 

What to do if your A1c level is 5.7?

Making changes to your diet. 

Be active every day: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (about 30 minutes 5 days per week). 

Fill half of your plate with non-starchy veggies at every meal, and incorporate a source of lean protein and plant-based fat to assist with blood sugar control. 

Limit refined carbohydrates and added sugar, and choose whole-grain carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread/ pasta, quinoa, farro, and steel-cut oats, instead. 

Lose excess weight if you are overweight or obese

Manage stress and get adequate sleep to help balance hormone levels that can impact blood sugar

Medications used to improve A1c results

Although the American Diabetes Association and the Endocrine Society recommend a medication called metformin for the treatment of prediabetes, medications are typically not prescribed for an A1c level of 5.7. 

https://www.elo.health/biomarkers/hba1c-overview/57/

Interesting information on prediabetes

https://sweetlife.org.za/how-to-reverse-type-2-diabetes/

High Uric Acid in Blood - Test, Complications and Treatment

 Uric Acid (Blood)  Test

Other name - Serum uric acid

What is this test?

This test measures the amount of uric acid in your blood.

When is the test done? 

 Symptoms of gout include:

Joint pain or soreness

Swelling and pain in a joint, such as the big toe, ankle, or knee, or red skin around a joint

Joints that are hot to the touch

Swelling and pain that affects only 1 joint in the body

Skin that looks shiny and is red or purple

Test results - Interpretation 

Results are given in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). 

Uric acid in high in  blood (hyperuricemia) if  results are:

Higher than 6 mg/dL for females

Higher than 7 mg/dL for males

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=uric_acid_blood

Hyperuricemia (High Uric Acid Level)

Hyperuricemia is very common. Following a diet low in purines is the best way to prevent hyperuricemia (and lower uric acid levels).

Hyperuricemia is very treatable. You might need to change some aspects of your daily routine (like tweaking your diet or drinking more water). 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17808-hyperuricemia-high-uric-acid-level

What foods make gout worse?

The vegetarian foods and drinks that trigger gout are:

Sugary drinks and sweets. Standard table sugar is half fructose, which breaks down into uric acid. Any food or drink with higher sugar content can trigger gout.

High fructose corn syrup. This is a concentrated form of fructose. If you start looking at labels, you’ll find high fructose corn syrup in all kinds of packaged food products that you wouldn’t necessarily expect.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22548-gout-low-purine-diet

High Ratio of Triglycerides to HDL-Cholesterol - Association With Coronary Disease

 

High Ratio of Triglycerides to HDL-Cholesterol Predicts Extensive Coronary Disease

High Ratio of Triglycerides to HDL-Cholesterol Predicts Extensive Coronary Disease

Protasio Lemos da Luz,I Desiderio Favarato,I Jose Rocha Faria-Neto Junior,II Pedro Lemos,I and Antonio Carlos Palandri ChagasI

Clinics. 2008 Aug; 63(4): 427–432.  doi: 10.1590/S1807-59322008000400003

PMCID: PMC2664115PMID: 18719750

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664115/

Research article

Open access

Published: 02 July 2019

High triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio is associated with silent brain infarcts in a healthy population

Ki-Woong Nam, Hyung-Min Kwon, Han-Yeong Jeong, Jin-Ho Park, Hyuktae Kwon & Su-Min Jeong 

BMC Neurology volume 19, Article number: 147 (2019) Cite this article

https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-019-1373-8

Meeting ReportPoster - PhysicianPharm

The triglyceride HDL cholesterol ratio: an independent predictor of obstructive coronary artery disease and myocardial ischemia in patients with chronic coronary syndrome

Danilo Neglia, Alberto Aimo, Chiara Caselli and Alessia Gimelli

Journal of Nuclear Medicine May 2021, 62 (supplement 1) 1671;

https://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/62/supplement_1/1671

About Vitamin B12

Cobalamin is the only water-soluble vitamin stored in the body. About 3 mg of cobalamin are stored, of which 1 mg is stored in the liver. Hence, it takes 3-5 years to develop a vitamin B12 deficiency after a total gastrectomy. In contrast, significant amounts of folate are not stored. Clinical evidence of folate deficiency can occur within a month after folate intake is stopped.

https://www.medscape.com/answers/204066-119195/what-is-the-role-of-cobalamin-and-folate-storage-in-the-pathogenesis-of-megaloblastic-anemia

https://www.b12-vitamin.com/body-store/

However, this impression is put into perspective if you consider the actual intake: from the 1000 µg, only a maximum of 12 µg is actually absorbed by the body with a single oral dose; only 480% of the daily requirement (2). 

https://www.b12-vitamin.com/high-dose/

One review recommended that those with vitamin B12 deficiency take 1 mg of vitamin B12 daily for a month, followed by a maintenance dose of 125–250 mcg per day (18Trusted Source).

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b12-dosage#suggested-dosages

Typically, about 56 percent of a 1-microgram dose of B-12 is absorbed, and that rate of absorption decreases drastically if you take more than 2 micrograms at a time, the Office of Dietary Supplements explains. For example, if you take a 500-microgram pill, your body absorbs only about 10 micrograms.

But a normal level of vitamin B12 in your bloodstream is generally between 190 and 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Between 200 to 300 pg/mL is considered borderline and your doctor may do more testing. Below 200 pg/mL is low and more testing is needed.

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/vitamin-b12-test

HealthVit Vitamin B12 500mcg Tablet

West-Coast Pharmaceutical Works Ltd

https://www.1mg.com/otc/healthvit-vitamin-b12-500mcg-tablet-otc340915

January 30, 2024

Analysis Says Excessive Vitamin B12 Concentration Can Increase Mortality Risk

Author(s):

Hayden E. Klein

Elevated serum vitamin B12 concentration was positively associated with all-cause mortality risk, particularly among older adults, with concentrations exceeding 400 pmol/L showing significantly higher mortality rates.

https://www.ajmc.com/view/analysis-says-excessive-vitamin-b12-concentration-can-increase-mortality-risk

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/

Recommended guidelines for  supplements

For normally healthy children and adults,  high-dose B12 supplements are a waste of money. 

Instead, take the recommended daily allowance (RDA) without dramatically overdoing it. In adults, the body needs only 2.4 mcg daily. Pregnant women need 2.6 mcg daily. Breastfeeding women need 2.8 mcg per day. 

Large doses and injections are only needed in people who have been diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency. 

The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements has a useful list of B12 food sources, including animal products, nutritional yeast, seafood, dairy products, breads, and breakfast cereals.

https://www.singlecare.com/conditions/too-much-B12-symptoms

Excess Vit B12 - Side Effects

Article

JOURNAL ARTICLE

The pathophysiology of elevated vitamin B12 in clinical practice 

E. Andrès, K. Serraj, J. Zhu, A.J.M. Vermorken

QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 106, Issue 6, June 2013, Pages 505–515, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hct051

Published: 27 February 2013

https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/106/6/505/1538806

(To  be read again)

https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/food-and-nutrition/some-side-effects-of-vitamin-b12-if-taken-excessively/

How to Get Rid of Excess Vitamin B12

By Naomi Parks

https://www.livestrong.com/article/407648-how-to-get-rid-of-excess-vitamin-b12/

Open access

Published: 25 June 2021

Persistent elevation of plasma vitamin B12 is strongly associated with solid cancer

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-92945-y

Ud. 5.8.2024

Pub. 25.4.2022