Content
The kidneys are called the paired bean-shaped organ, which belongs to the urinary system. The main function is to cleanse the blood. Kidney diseases are caused by congenital pathologies, lifestyle features, untimely visits to the doctor at the first signs of illness. The functioning of the organ is influenced by nutrition. It is important to include kidney-friendly foods in your diet. This allows you to prevent the appearance of signs of illness.
Effects of foods on kidney health
Every year, doctors record an increase in the number of various pathologies of the organs of the urinary system. Serious violations can significantly impair general well-being.
Kidney health depends in part on dietary patterns. The inclusion of healthy foods in the diet helps to strengthen the immune system, which reduces the risk of developing infectious abnormalities.
The kidneys are a blood-purifying filter. The paired organ has a complex structure. It contains 160 km of vessels. Every day, more than 180 liters of blood passes through each kidney in order to cleanse it of toxic substances.
The organ of the urinary system helps maintain water balance and blood pressure. The kidneys are involved in the synthesis of vitamin D. Their diseases are often associated with genetic predisposition and inflammatory lesions.
Kidney dysfunction causes:
- intoxication of the body;
- violation of water exchange.
With a pathological change in the work of the paired organ, edema appears, and increased fatigue is also observed. These signs indicate depression of the nervous system.
Adherence to a certain diet should not only be with a history of kidney disease. Factors are essential:
- genetic predisposition;
- dangerous somatic pathologies (atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus).
What human kidneys love from food
A carefully thought-out diet helps to maintain the health of the urinary system and prevent the development of diseases. Foods for good kidney function include various names.
Water and drinks
Nephrologists recommend drinking fluids in moderation:
- women - 8 glasses;
- men - 13 glasses.
Compliance with the drinking regime is important for good kidney health. However, the amount of water consumed should not exceed the permissible values.
Oat broth contains vitamin B6 and iron. These substances are useful for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the urinary system organ. The broth strengthens blood vessels and stimulates the excretion of salts from the body.
Birch sap (without added sugar) is considered a good diuretic. The drink helps to remove toxins from the body.
With kidney pathologies, you can drink jelly, including agar-agar. The specified component cleanses tissues from toxins.
Vegetables and greens
Top kidney foods include plant sources:
- Cauliflower... The vegetable contains vitamins that improve metabolic processes in nephrocytes, for example, B, K, retinol and ascorbic acid. Beneficial nutrients have a beneficial effect on the rate of urine (primary) formation. The antioxidants present help to neutralize free radicals, which reduces the risk of malignant tumors and destructive tubular diseases. Cauliflower is also characterized by an abundance of fiber and anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Bell pepper... The vegetable contains valuable substances that minimize the risk of aseptic inflammation. Pathology is often observed against the background of diabetes mellitus or atherosclerosis. Bell peppers are classified as kidney-enhancing foods with high doses of retinol and ascorbic acid.
- Garlic... The product is considered as a drug for various diseases. Its use is the prevention of diabetic kidney nephropathy. Combination with lemon juice helps to stabilize
Greens are a source of retinol. It is used for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. For example, dill contains essential oils that can dissolve stones and reduce kidney colic. Celery and fennel are also valuable greens.
Berries and fruits
The following healthy foods for the kidneys are called:
- Blueberry... Berries prevent the occurrence of kidney stone pathology due to the dissolution and subsequent removal of sand. The contained antioxidants protect the tubules from atrophic and destructive changes that often accompany diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Blueberries contain trace amounts of potassium, sodium and phosphorus, which are especially important for kidney disease.
- Grapes (red). The product is distinguished by a significant amount of flavonoids, which reduce the severity of the inflammatory process. The use of berries is recommended for chronic pyelonephritis by strengthening kidney cells, normalizing metabolic processes, preventing diabetes and hypertension.
- A pineapple... The tropical fruit is low in potassium. The product is rich in manganese and B vitamins.
- Cranberries... The berries have antiseptic properties. The advantage is the presence of flavonoids. Substances prevent the occurrence of urethritis and cystitis.
Nuts and dried fruits
Dried fruits contain significant amounts of valuable substances. The best kidney foods include dried apples and plums. To maintain the health of the organ of the urinary system, it is recommended to eat pine nuts.
Meat and fish
Seafood is a source of Omega-3. Fatty acids help to reduce the severity of the inflammatory process. Reducing cholesterol levels and cleansing tissues from free radicals is essential.
PUFAs slow the progression of kidney disease. When choosing fish, you need to pay attention to the following types:
- herring;
- salmon;
- salmon.
Beef is good for the kidneys. It is permissible to include lamb and lean pork in the diet. Red meat is consumed in limited quantities.
Vegetable oils
Foods are a source of valuable nutrients. Nephrologists recommend paying attention to the following types of oils:
- Olive... The composition contains a small amount of protein and phosphorus. Inclusion in the diet is mandatory in the presence of obesity.
- Linseed... The product includes polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherol. The benefit lies in the elimination of harmful substances, the normalization of metabolic processes.
- Sesame... The product is good for the kidneys. It is recommended for use with concomitant diabetes mellitus.
Milk products
The diet is based on carbohydrates, not protein foods. For diseases of the urinary system, preference should be given to yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream with a low percentage of fat.
Foods that are good for the kidneys are shown in the table:
What foods facilitate kidney function during pregnancy
The physiological state provokes an exacerbation of diseases of the urinary system, which is associated with hormonal changes and weakening of the immune system. Craving for sweet and salty foods promotes the development of pathologies.
Pregnant women are advised to consume:
- boiled meat, fish or poultry;
- vegetable oils;
- eggs and dairy products;
- cabbage;
- apricots, pears, apples, grapes, peaches;
- dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots);
- melon, watermelon;
- jelly, rosehip compote.
Foods for Kidney Disease
Often, diseases of the urinary system are accompanied by other somatic disorders. The menu is made taking into account the existing diseases.
With diabetes mellitus
Proper nutrition can significantly improve well-being and stop the progression of diseases. The most useful foods for the kidneys in diabetic nephropathy are called:
- lean meat (chicken, rabbit, turkey) three times a week;
- fish (boiled, mashed, baked);
- egg (1 piece instead of fish or meat);
- buckwheat, rice, pearl barley;
- vegetables;
- cottage cheese;
- fermented milk drinks;
- soy;
- vegetable oils;
- berries and fruits (apples, blueberries, cranberries, currants).
With renal failure
The diet should be strict. The following factors are essential:
- diet;
- heat treatment;
- restriction of protein foods, salt and potassium.
The most useful foods for human kidney failure:
- fresh herbs, vegetables (pumpkin, beets, cucumbers, cabbage, eggplant, zucchini);
- fruits and berries (watermelon, strawberry, melon, apples);
- dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots);
- sweets (candy, jelly, marmalade, honey, marshmallows);
- dairy products (kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream, yogurt, yogurt);
- dietary meat (turkey, rabbit, chicken);
- eggs and vegetable oils.
With stone disease
Diet means drinking enough water (about 2 liters). You should eat fractionally and in small portions.
Healthy foods for kidney disease include:
- bran bread;
- dairy products;
- nuts;
- vegetables (peas, cabbage, potatoes);
- berries and fruits (apricots, watermelons, bananas, plums, grapes);
- lean fish and meat;
- cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal).
With pyelonephritis
The list of recommended products includes:
- lean meat, fish and poultry;
- dairy and vegetable soups;
- pasta;
- yesterday's bread (without salt);
- eggs;
- vegetables (zucchini, beets, carrots, potatoes) and greens;
- cereals;
- fresh fruits and compotes, mousses, jelly.
What foods kidneys dislike
In the presence of pathologies, the intake into the body should be limited:
- sodium (maximum dose per day - 2 g);
- potassium (daily intake - no more than 2 g);
- phosphorus (up to 1 g during the day).
Nephrologists point out that not all foods improve kidney function. To maintain the functions and anatomical integrity of the paired organ, it is recommended to limit the use of:
- Salt... The inclusion in the diet of a significant amount of smoked meats, semi-finished products causes fluid retention in the body. This increases the stress on the kidneys, which is accompanied by hypertension.
- Animal squirrel... By-products, beef, pork, increase substances in the blood that are toxins for the renal tubules.
- Carbonated drinks, coffee, spicy foods and vinegar... These products irritate the mucous membranes of the excretory system.
- Alcohol. The contained ethanol destroys the cellular elements of the kidneys through cytotoxic effects. Often, after drinking alcohol, dehydration is noted, which provokes disturbances in the functioning of the paired organ.
Conclusion
The functioning of the organ of the excretory system depends on proper nutrition. It is important to include kidney-friendly foods in your diet. They prevent the development of inflammatory processes and reduce the risk of atrophic changes by saturating the body with valuable nutrients.