#067 How Nutrition Impacts Your Kidney Health

This week, we're talking about how nutrition impacts your kidneys. Our guest is dietitian Jen Hernandez, who will tell us about her experience working with CKD patients, what a renal diet is, and how you can make healthy choices that support your kidney health.

• Kidney disease is a silent killer. Many people don't realize that they have kidney disease until it's too late because there are no symptoms until the kidneys fail completely. 
• Our kidneys do so many things apart from being the filtration system of our body. They also help manage electrolytes, produce red blood cells, keep our bones healthy, balance our pH, and regulate our blood pressure control.
• Early-stage kidney disease doesn't show many signs, but it's important to be aware of the potential symptoms. Some potential signs of kidney disease include a lower energy level, changes in blood pressure, nausea, and fatigue.
• Some people with kidney disease experience either decreased or increased urination. This can be caused by the fact that the kidneys are not filtering properly.
• Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD has no roadmap or set timeline. It is incredibly individual for every person, and the condition can progress at different rates depending on the individual.
• End-stage kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys have ceased to function. Patients with this condition must receive dialysis, which involves replacing the functions of their kidneys.
• In the past, patients had to go to a clinic for dialysis treatments. However, this is changing as more patients opt for home-based dialysis. Home-based dialysis allows them to stay at home and still receive treatment from a medical professional.
• Chronic Kidney Disease is a lifelong condition that can progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It is not something you can cure completely; you can only manage it. 
• CKD is categorized based on a glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a measure of how much toxin is filtered through the kidneys.
• Early detection of CKD is a crucial opportunity to prevent the progression of the disease and improve patient outcomes.
• The old renal diet was harsh, requiring patients to consume only specific types of food. This meant that they were limited to bland and unappetizing meals.
• Make sure to check that your handouts from clinics are up-to-date. Research is constantly evolving, and it's important to stay on top of the latest developments.
• Be your own advocate. Whether you think you are healthy or suspect that you have a medical condition, it's important to stay on top of your health history.

About Our Guest

Jen Hernandez is an award-winning and nationally recognized renal dietitian, motivated by the tens of thousands of people she connects with every month in her virtual private practice. As the founder of Plant-Powered Kidneys, Jen teaches people across the world how they can eat better food (and enjoy food!) to protect their kidney health. Learn more about her work in the following channels:

 

www.plantpoweredkidneys.com 

www.facebook.com/plantpoweredkidneys 

www.instagram.com/plantpoweredkidneys 

www.pinterest.com/plantpoweredkidneys

 

Additional Resources

• Renal Diet Grocery List
• 14 Clues That You May Have Adrenal Fatigue