The renal failure consists of a total or partial loss of the renal function. It can take the form of an acute or chronic disease. The main function kidney consists of “clarifying” the blood after metabolism and regulating the volume of corporal liquids. So, any malfunction of them is, mostly, an alteration in the regulation of internal functions, mainly with retention of liquids and minerals, and an accumulation of remainder products (urea, creatinine, uric acid, etc). The nitrogen products derive mainly from the metabolism of proteins. We will talk about the chronic renal failure diet, since the acute renal insufficiency is handled mainly in hospital facilities.

The chronic renal insufficiency indicates with the call uremic syndrome that is pronounced at all the levels of the organism.

How can a diet influence the chronic renal failure?
The dietetic treatment is a fundamental element in the preservative handling of the renal disease. Whereas the protein restriction can delay the evolution and diminish the uremic syndrome, a malnutrition state is going to be an important factor for the complications and mortality. Malnutrition can favor gustatory anorexia and related alterations: very restrictive monotonous diets, and presence of metabolic complications that accompany the chronic renal failure.

How much must be considered the diet in the chronic renal insufficiency?
The energetic needs are similar to those of the healthy people. They must be covered to avoid the power consumption from muscles.

Approximately, the requirements are 35 kcal/kg of corporal weight per day. For instance,   a man of 75 kg would have 75*35=2625 kcal, and a woman of 60 kg: 2100 kcal. In the obese patients, the caloric restriction must be moderate and prudent (of 250-500 kcal/day). In situations of undernourishment, stress, etc. it is permitted to reach 40-45 kcal by kg and day.

At the beginning of 20th century, it was observed that rich protein food consumption aggravated the clinical symptoms of patients with renal failure. Out of this, can be deduced that the protein restriction can improve the clinic of the uremic syndrome, and it has even seen that the inevitable progression of the chronic renal insufficiency can slow down towards the dialysis or renal transplants.

Other minerals and vitamins
The iron can be necessary thing to supplement, because it is present mainly in protein foods, but it is precise to individualize it, like calcium.

When the protein contribution is under (< 0.6 g/kg. of weight and day) the diet contributes to minor amount of certain types of water soluble vitamins: thiamin, riboflavin, niacina and folic acid reason why are advised to supplement them.

With all these simple tips a patient with a chronic renal failure can improve a condition that’s hard to maintain and deal with in the day by day basis. Watching proteins, minerals, cabs and additional vitamins, a diet for chronic renal failure can improve the quality of life for the people suffering of this extended disease.

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