What's Good for the Body… Like many health issues, kidney problems require very specific dietary considerations. An HSI member named Edgar writes, "I'm trying to get some information about chronic kidney disease diet. I am stage three and have not found much anywhere. Seems to be a secret that only a special dietician can deliver. Even my kidney doc says go to a dietician." Edgar's doctor has the right idea. A good dietician who has experience with dietary choices that affect kidney disease will be invaluable - especially if he has all the details about Edgar's specific condition and general health. That said, there are a few basic guidelines that anyone with serious kidney problems should be aware of. Good for the body…good for the kidneys Fortunately, we have a Nutrition Physician on call. So when I asked HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., about this question, he offered these points: "What's good for the kidneys is usually what's good for the body in general, which of course nixes the junk food right off. Just stopping refined sugar and avoiding the phosphoric acid in soft drinks can go a long way. "High protein diets tend to be avoided. However, protein is needed for structural repair, so there becomes an issue there. "Dr. Wright has found that BUN (a kidney function blood test) can be elevated when all that was needed was the correction of low levels of stomach acid (usually by adding betaine hydrochloride supplements). This is especially true if another kidney test, serum creatinine, is normal. "Flax meal tends to be particularly useful in helping weak kidneys (even more than flax oil or even fish oil). The American Journal of Kidney Diseases backs flax (oil, in that case) for serious kidney diseases such as lupus nephritis. Filtration can improve and proteinuria (high levels of protein in the urine - a common problem in serious renal disease) can be decreased. "A 'biggee' in terms of supplements, however, is the use of coenzyme Q-10. This antioxidant is efficient in protecting cell membranes from free radicals. When 11 patients were given 180 mg of CoQ10, only 36% ended up on dialysis, compared to 90% in the placebo group. "Magnesium, vitamin E, and vitamin C (staying under 3 grams/day if there have been any oxalate kidney stones) are the other big players that have been used by nutrient therapists for decades in cases of kidney disease. Obviously, all nutrients work better as a team, so a good (strong) multi-vitamin supplement is also recommended." Protective shells In a 2004 Health eTips e-letter, a reader whose mother had chronic kidney failure asked Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., about using a supplement called chitosan. Dr. Wright: "Chitosan is most popular for its effectiveness as a weight control supplement. It is extracted from the shells of crustaceans, such as shrimp and crab, which means that if your mother has an allergy to shellfish, it's not an option for her. If not, however, she may want to consider it. "A study published a few years ago clearly showed a benefit to dialysis patients who took chitosan. Half of the 80 study participants took 1,450 milligrams of chitosan, three times daily for 12 weeks; the other half didn't take any chitosan. After the study period, researchers reported that the patients who took chitosan reported less fatigue and shortness of breath, and improvements in appetite, sleep, and feelings of physical strength. Their kidney function also appeared better, and they suffered from less severe anemia - a common problem in those with chronic kidney failure. And there were no significant side effects reported." One word of caution, however - Dr. Spreen notes that chitosan may block absorption of fat in the intestines, so extended use may interfere with absorption of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. But before Edgar uses chitosan or follows any of Dr. Spreen's recommendations, he should talk about these issues with his doctor and nutritionist. | 
