If you’re interested in learning about which foods can damage your kidneys, then this blog is for you! I’ll be discussing some of the most common culprits and explaining why they’re so harmful. Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll be more mindful of what you eat and how it could impact your health.
Acute Kidney Failure (AKF)
In this case, AKF is caused due to acute inflammation of your kidneys that leads to failure. This occurs due to either a high fever or excessive use of certain medicines.
In most cases, you can take treatment from your doctor and recover from this condition. However, if the cause cannot be identified, then there are chances that you might develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is a progressive type of disease that develops over time and is often irreversible.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
This is a long-term illness where the kidneys do not function properly. There are two types of CKD:
Glomerular Filtration Rate Reduction – This happens when the filtering units of the kidneys stop working and results in the blood passing through the bloodstream without being filtered.
Normally, the kidneys filter out toxins like urea and uric acid from the blood, but when they stop functioning, these waste products build up in the body.
As a result, you may experience problems like nausea dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and headaches. Also known as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), it is highly dangerous and requires dialysis therapy.
Tubulointerstitial Damage
When the tubules of the kidneys stop functioning, then it means that the waste products cannot get removed properly from the blood.
As a result, the kidneys become damaged over years; therefore, the urine becomes cloudy and the blood contains high levels of protein.
Your kidneys are two of the most important organs in your body. They filter your blood, remove waste and excess fluid, and regulate your electrolyte levels. Without healthy kidneys, your body would be unable to function properly.
Unfortunately, there are certain foods that can damage your kidneys and lead to serious health problems. Here are some of the most common offenders:
1. Processed meats
Processed meats are loaded with sodium and preservatives, which can be harmful to your kidneys. A high sodium diet can increase your blood pressure, which puts extra strain on your kidneys. In addition, the preservatives in processed meats can damage the delicate kidney cells.
2. Refined carbs
Refined carbs are found in foods like white bread, pasta, and pastries. They’re quickly digested and cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, both of which are major risk factors for kidney disease.
3. Trans fats
Trans fats are found in margarine, shortening, and some processed foods. They’re created when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil to make it solid at room temperature. Trans fats are particularly harmful to your kidneys because they increase inflammation and oxidative stress.
4. Sugar-sweetened beverages
Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, sports drinks, and fruit juice are loaded with sugar and calories. Drinking too many of these beverages can lead to weight gain, which can put extra strain on your kidneys. Additionally, the sugar in these drinks can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can damage kidney cells.
5. Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can damage your kidneys. Alcohol increases inflammation and oxidative stress, and it can also lead to dehydration. When your body is dehydrated, your kidneys have to work harder to filter your blood. This can lead to kidney damage over time.
If you have kidney disease, it’s important to avoid foods that could further damage your kidneys. Talk to your doctor about which foods you should limit or avoid altogether. By making some simple changes to your diet, you can help protect your kidneys and keep them healthy for years to come.
It’s not always obvious what foods can cause kidney damage. For instance, if you eat too much sugar (or fruit juice) and salt, your kidneys may have to work harder than normal to get rid of those substances from your body.
This extra effort can lead to increased stress and inflammation in your body, which could increase your risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and even cancer.
So how do you know if you are at risk of kidney damage? A few things to watch out for include: having frequent headaches, feeling tired after eating, excessive thirst, unexplained muscle cramps, and painful urination.
These symptoms may indicate that your body is having trouble getting rid of excess fluids. If your doctor thinks you may be suffering from kidney damage, he or she may recommend a diet change or medications that help flush the toxins from your system.