Wave: College of Naturopathic Medicine on Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Dear Jacquie,
I’ve just had a blood test at the doctor’s that says I have stage 1 kidney disease. He hasn’t yet given me medication, but says I should change my diet and keep my blood pressure down. How?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means that your kidneys are not working as well as they once did. The kidneys have many functions but in particular they filter out waste products from the bloodstream, to be passed out in the urine and help control blood pressure – partly by the amount of water passed out of the body as urine, and partly by making hormones which are involved in blood pressure control. This is why the two are linked.
Food wise, you should limit salt intake by avoiding pre-packed highly salted foods, e.g. biscuits, chips, processed meats, ‘fast’ foods, pizza, packet soups, instant pastas, pre-packaged sauces, canned vegetables.
Avoid highly processed and refined foods, such as cakes, white bread, pastas, cereals and sugar. Avoid alcohol, saturated fat, trans-fatty acids, sugar, caffeine, and tobacco.
Eat foods that naturally have a diuretic action: asparagus, garlic, pineapple, celery, onion, leeks, parsley, leafy greens, green beans and pumpkin. Plus foods that are high in antioxidants to improve circulation: blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, cherries, squash and peppers.
Eat a high-fibre diet, including plenty of fresh whole foods such as vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and raw nuts and seeds. Eat deep sea cold water fish e.g. salmon and mackerel.
Drink fluids such as water, herbal teas (nettle, dandelion leaf, ginger, green tea, Echinacea) and freshly squeezed vegetable/fruit juices, such as cucumber, parsley, celery and pineapple.
Avoid coffee, tea, artificially sweetened “sugar-free” drinks, alcohol, cordial, colas and sweetened drinks.
Studies are showing that Isoflavones and lignans, which are extracts from soya, flaxseed and sesame seeds, have the ability to reduce protein in the urine, preserve renal function, and slow down the progression of chronic kidney failure. So increase your intake of organic soya milk, tofu, tahini, and flax seeds ground up and sprinkled on porridge and salads.
See a nutritional therapist for individualised guidance and recommended supplements.
See your health professional
for advice.
Free open evening
6th March 6.30pm-8.30pm
Free Brighton Open Evening – find out about CNM training in Brighton to become a nutritional therapist.
22nd-23rd March
Open Weekend at CNM London. Talks to inspire you about natural health.
www.naturopathy-uk.com
Jacquie Lane is both a lecturer and the Director of Studies at CNM, (College of Naturopathic Medicine) in Brighton. Jacquie also runs her own nutrition clinic and manages a biological testing lab specialising in digestive issues. Email Jacquie at: sunshinenutrition@hotmail.co.uk
