Kidney Disease
Preventing & healing from kidney disease
A diet rich in whole plant foods can prevent and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, while offering protection from related conditions that can impact kidney health like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
HOW DO I KNOW if I have healthy kidneys?
When our kidneys are healthy, they remove extra water and waste from the body, regulate our blood pressure, maintain a balance of body chemicals, support strong bones, and signal the creation of red blood cells.
They’re like little factories that work hard! Yet 37 million American adults have chronic kidney disease, and millions of others are at increased risk. What’s wearing down our kidneys?
Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to clean toxins and waste products from the blood and fully perform all of their critical functions. This can happen suddenly or over time. Early detection and early action can help prevent the shift from kidney problems to kidney disease — end even kidney failure.
The standard American diet contributes to high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) that set the stage for kidney disease. Recent studies suggest that a plant-based diet can support kidney health before problems happen and also improve kidney function even after a diagnosis. If your doctor has told you to reduce dietary sources of phosphorus, the science now shows that you may not need to worry: plant-based phosphorus sources are less absorbed by the body than meat, and dietary fiber helps to remove excess amounts.
How To Heal From Kidney Disease
What can I do to prevent chronic kidney disease?
- Replace animal foods with plant-based sources of protein like beans and whole grains, as animal proteins increase the pressure on the kidneys and animal fats clog them up just like arteries.
- Minimize the amount of salt you add to food, and avoid foods high in sodium, like salted nuts, processed foods, cheese, and meats. Too much sodium contributes to high blood pressure which in turn puts strain on the kidneys.
- Eat more alkaline foods to reduce the acid loads on the kidneys. Fruits, vegetables, and beans rebalance toward alkalinity, while meat, dairy and eggs contribute to acidosis.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to increase the antioxidants in your bloodstream which protect your cells from damage, fighting inflammation.
- Increase your fiber intake from whole plant foods!
Facts & figures about kidney disease:
- Kidney disease has no symptoms for early detection.
- African Americans are nearly 4 times as likely as white people to go on dialysis.
- Each year kidney disease kills more people than breast or prostate cancer.
Source: Sean Hashmi, MD
-
What is Chronic Kidney Disease and How Do I Avoid It?
Forks Over Knives -
Plant-Based Diet And Kidney Health
National Kidney Foundation -
Plant-Based Diets Help Prevent and Manage Kidney Disease
Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine
PPMNY Support for Kidney Disease
- Watch our livestream interview of two plant-based nephrologists in Kidney Nutrition Q&A: Why Beans and Bananas Beat Beef.
- Enroll in a Plant Powered Jumpstart to make dietary changes that can reduce your blood pressure, weight, and insulin levels and potentially improve kidney function.
- Sign up for a peer mentor to help you make lifestyle changes.
