Protein intake is very important for patients with chronic kidney disease,
and the amount of protein patients take every day should be strictly in
accordance with their illness condition. Generally speaking, patients with early
stage chronic kidney disease should somehow restrict protein intake and patients
with massive protein loss should correspondingly increase protein intake.
The five stages of CKD are defined by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a
measure of how much blood the kidneys are able to filter. This rate tells you
and your doctor how well your kidneys are functioning.
In Stage 1 of CKD, glomerular filtration rate is 90 or above, which is
normal. However, abnormal levels of protein are detected in the urine. In Stage
2 of CKD, GFR is 60-89, a mild decrease from normal. In Stage 3, there is a
moderate decrease in GFR to 30-59. In Stage 4, GFR is severely decreased to
15-29.
Stage 5 of CKD occurs when GFR drops below 15, and the kidneys have very
little function left, this is end stage renal disease.
Although Stage 4 indicates a severe decrease in kidney function, you are
still able to live without dialysis. Kidneys are damaged, but are able to filter
some waste and excess fluid from the blood. Since there is no cure for kidney
disease, the primary focus is keeping you well nourished and reducing protein
waste build up in the blood. Excess protein waste can cause nausea, loss of
appetite, vomiting, weakness, taste changes and itching.
The most important treatments to prolong renal function are blood pressure
control and attention to protein in the diet. If you have diabetes, blood sugar
control is also important. By regulating the amount of protein you eat, your
kidneys process less protein waste, which reduces waste build up in the blood.
It also reduces the workload on the kidneys, and may slow down the progression
of kidney failure. Your diet will include a prescribed amount of high quality
protein foods. This is to be sure you are getting enough essential amino acids
each day.
If you are in stages 1, 2, or 3 of CKD, your protein intake may be limited to
12-15% of your calorie intake each day. This is the same level recommended by
the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for a healthy diet for normal adults. It
may seem like a restriction because the average American eats a high protein
diet. If you are in stage 4 of CKD, you may be advised to reduce protein to 10%
of calorie intake each day. Your dietitian will assess your nutritional status
and calorie intake to help determine if a lower protein diet is beneficial.
In shijiazhuang Kidney Disease Hospital. All in all, five stages of chronic kidney disease determine the taking of
protein amount. And we should neither be afraid of protein nor taking protein
excessively. Protein intake should be in accordance with chronic kidney disease
stage.
