7 WAYS TO LOWER CREATININE LEVEL NATURALLY.

I get asked a lot about creatinine; what is it, what causes high creatinine levels, and how to lower
it naturally? It’s understandable, creatinine levels are looked upon as the best determining factor
of the health of your kidneys, and is routinely tested for and discussed by your doctor.

But I must warn you, lowering creatinine levels SHOULD NOT be your ultimate goal, it is only
secondary to the bigger picture… (keep reading to find out why).

So What is Creatinine?
•    Creatinine is a waste product of the major energy metabolite creatine.
•    Normal creatinine serum blood levels are:
-    0.6 to 1.2 mg/dl in males (53 to 106 umol/L)
-    0.5 to 1.1 mg/dl in females (44 to 97 umol/L)
•    Creatinine is usually found in higher quantities (within the blood) in young adults, and lesser
quantities in the elderly.
•    Those with one kidney will have higher than “normal” levels of creatinine circulating in their
blood (roughly 1.8 mg/dl or 160 umol/L).
•    Creatinine can be tested for via a blood sample or via a urine sample. On its own a blood
sample is more accurate than a urine sample, though combining them together to form what is
called a creatinine clearance test (both blood and urine) is the most accurate test.
•    High creatinine levels occur due to any number of diseases that cause the kidneys to shut
down, including dehydration, shock, congestive heart failure, and bladder outlet obstruction.
•    There are no definitive symptoms that are caused by high creatinine levels, though the
following could be possibly linked: fatigued, shortness of breath, feeling dehydrated, and
confusion.

Interesting stuff? Great! I hope you won’t be disappointed then when I say you let’s move on to
the next section because you have learnt all these is (worth) to know about creatinine. I would like
to tell you more about creatinine, but really that is all you need to know. That’s the crux of it.

What I would really like to discuss next is the substance that creatinine is a by-product of…
creatine.

If you are a gym junkie, or know someone that is, you probably have come across creatine
before. Creatine is touted by many body builders as the best natural substance for increasing
energy reserves – especially for the explosive sports (because of its role in ATP production).

Creatine is naturally produced by the body and the majority of it is stored within the muscles (up
to 95%). The body does this through the synthesis of the amino acids L-arginine, glycine, and L-
methionine via the liver, and because the body can make its own, creatine itself is not essential in
the diet. The dietary source of creatine however is any animal meat, such as beef, chicken, and
fish. Providing up to 1 gram a day of creatine for the typical “meat-eater”.

As previously mentioned, creatine has a key role to play in the production of ATP. This occurs in
the most important energy pathway of the body, known as the Kreb’s Cycle, or the Citric Acid
Cycle.  The average human body uses over 2000mg of creatinine a day to fuel this important
biochemical pathway, for the purposes of producing the most vital energy source of the body.

… OK, so now that we understand a little more about creatine, and that creatine is a necessary
molecule, we can now delve a little deeper into creatinine levels and how to lower them.
The Importance of Creatinine Levels
After many years study, and lengthy clinical trials, creatinine was found to be the best indicator of
kidney function. Why? Well, there are a few reasons for this, and they are as follows:
1.    Creatinine is produced in a relatively constant rate – (expect during strenuous exercise
where it increases*)
2.    Creatinine is mainly eliminated from the body via the kidneys
3.    Creatinine has virtually no reabsorption within the kidneys – meaning there no recycling of
creatinine back into the blood stream. Reabsorption would cause a skew in the results, making
this molecule a poorer choice for assessing kidney function.

* Here’s a tip, next time you have your renal function checked make sure you abstain for any
strenuous exercise beforehand as this will give you false decrease in renal function.

As you can see the very nature of this molecule and the way the body handles it makes it a
perfect choice to assess kidney function, but more importantly, I hope this demonstrates one
important factor that I have been eluding to: Lowering creatinine levels should not be your end
goal, because it is just a measure of kidney function, it is not the problem/cause of your kidney
disease.

For example if there was a treatment to lower creatinine levels but it did nothing else, it wouldn’t
be very beneficial treatment, right? Right. This is because you would still have under functioning
kidneys, and as an example, possibly have high potassium, low vitamin d levels, and low
haemoglobin levels.

So why write an article on how to lower creatinine levels naturally? Good question.
Because I believe the real reason you typed in “creatinine levels” or “how to lower creatinine
levels naturally” into Google (or however you made your way here) is that you REALLY want to
improve and increase your kidney function. You probably don’t even really care about creatinine
per say, you just want it to lower because it will indicate that your kidney health and kidney
function is improving, and I right? I hope so.

7 Easy Ways to Lower Creatine Levels (and

Improve Kidney Function) Naturally
Alrighty here they are, what I have put together is some really easy tips you can put into practice
straight away to help boost your kidney function, while having a direct impact on your creatinine
levels.

1. Vegetarian diet: By consuming a largely plant based diet you will be helping your body
in a few distinct ways
-    Dietary sources of creatine and creatinine are only found within animal products, therefore you
will be reducing the burden of “extra” creatine and creatinine circulating through your blood by
eating a largely plant based diet.
-    Clinical studies show that the consumption of red meat is detrimental to the health of kidneys,
see my article here.
-    Plant based diets have show to reduce all the major risk factors of kidney disease. E.g.
diabetes,  and high blood pressure (hypertension).
-    Dairy products (milk, cheese, cream, yoghurt, ice cream, butter) have been shown in clinical
studies to exacerbate kidney disease.
-    Among many other reasons…
2. Avoid creatine supplements: not only do high doses of this large molecule cause
kidney problems (because of its large size it can cause the kidneys to swell), but by supplying the
body with extra creatine, you will cause more creatine to be spontaneously converted to the by-
product creatinine.

3. Avoid strenuous physical activity: thereby decreasing the breakdown of

creatine into creatinine.

4. Nettle leaf tea: drink 1 to 2 cups a day. Nettle leaf tea is a simple yet powerful kidney
tonic that can improve kidney function and reduce serum creatinine levels. (Tip: Double check
that it is the leaf and not the root, the leaf if for your kidneys, the root is for male prostate
disorders)

5. Avoid the over consumption of Vanadium: Although very beneficial for the
body, particularly for diabetes and blood sugar problems, over consumption of the mineral
vanadium has been linked to increased blood creatinine levels (stay under 100mcg a day).

6. Alpha lipoic acid: This is a fantastic nutrient! And one that I recommend every kidney
disease sufferer begin right away. It helps provide energy to the kidneys, it helps nutrialise toxins
to make them harmless to the body (so elimination does not damage the kidneys), it helps
improve kidney function, and of course helps lower creatinine levels. If you would like to know
more info on alpha lipoic acid, please check out my article here. I recommend a dosage of 300mg
a day.

7. Chitosan: Chitosan maybe be better known for weight management, but believe it or not it
has another trick up its sleeve. Chitosan supplementation in clinical studies reduced urea,
creatinine and cholesterol levels in the blood, and increased haemoglobin production in patients
with chronic kidney disease. I recommend a dosage of 1000-4000mg a day.

So there you have it, 7 great tips on how to lower creatinine levels naturally. I hope that these
really help you. If you would like further tools to increase your kidney function and lower
creatinine levels, then please check out my kidney healing program and book here:
www.beatkidneydisease.com

Once more I would love to hear from your thoughts and comments below, and please
make sure you click the “LIKE” button below!

KEDNEY FAILURE SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST :-

If you suspect kidney disease, or have kidney disease, this may be the most important
article you have read on the topic of kidney failure symptoms. I say this because unlike many
articles on the internet regarding kidney failure symptoms, this article will help you assess the
state of your kidney health via an online self-check list; rather than just listing a bunch of random
kidney failure symptoms, which will give you no guidance or direction.

But I before I go on any further, and this may seem counter-productive, I must state that any
method of non-laboratory diagnosis has its flaws. So whatever ever method you may be using,
whether it be my self-check list below, medical questionnaire assessments, iridology, TCM
analysis, computerised electro scanners, or psychics, nothing will accurately diagnose your
condition like proper blood work. If you suspect you have kidney disease, or are experiencing
any type of symptoms that you are unsure about, please see your doctor immediately – no matter
what these methods tell you.

…It is important to first note that many kidney failure symptoms could be easily confused with any
number of illnesses, and this is because many of the initial kidney disease symptoms are
superficial and wide-ranging. Therefore listing a bunch of symptoms in no order is pointless, you
may have some symptoms, but how can you be certain the symptoms you are experiencing are
caused by kidney disease?

It is this vagueness that I hope to eradicate (to the best of my ability) by providing a self-
check list and a grading system, and, I hope by informing the wider public of the
symptoms of this disease I can The Kidney Failure Symptoms
Self-Check List
How to use the kidney symptoms checklist:

1. Scan the list of kidney failure symptoms below, and circle the corresponding
number (to the right) of each symptom you have experienced in the past 14 days.
2. Once completed, add up all the numbers you have circled.
3. Cross check the total number against the ‘Kidney Failure Symptoms Grading
Index’ to find out your likelihood of kidney disease.

help many people avert its ‘silent’ progression.

Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the last 14 days?

Symptoms Points
1. Fluid retention throughout the body 12
2. Skin ‘greyish’ in colour 12
3. Current or past history of kidney stones 8
4. Infrequent urination 8
5. Decreased urine output 6
6. Lower back pain, mild to moderate 3
7. Excessive urination 3
8. Difficult to pass urine 3
9. Dark yellow; brown; cloudy; or bloody urine 3
10. Foamy or bubbly urination 2
11. Increased urination at night 2
12. Dripping after urination 1
13. Inconsistent urine stream 1
14. Strong smelling urine 1
15. Increased urge to urinate (pressure on the bladder) 1
16. Burning during urination 1
17. Fatigue 1
18. Mental confusion and/or poor concentration 1
19. Itchy skin 1
20. Nausea and/or vomiting 1
21. Reduced skin elasticity, and dry 1
22. Shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing 1
23. Bruising easily 1
24. Low libido 1
25. Weakness
26. Muscle cramps and stiffness 1
27. Dizziness 1
28. Bad breath (halitosis) 1
29. Thirst, strong 1
30. High blood pressure 1
31. Anemia 1
1
Total Score =

Kidney Failure Symptoms Grading Index:

-  Low Likelihood of Kidney Disease = 0 to 5
-  Moderate Likelihood of Kidney Disease = 6 to 11
-  High Likelihood of Kidney Disease = 12+

How did you score with the kidney failure symptoms checklist? If you have scored a moderate or
high “likelihood” of kidney disease then I urge you to see your health care professional for further
testing.

But then again, if you scored a low likelihood of kidney disease and something tells you there is
something still not-quite-right, then trust your instinct, and do your due diligence and seek further
medical care and testing.

If you would like to know further information about how to properly get diagnosed, and what
methods are used, please see my article: Top 7 Kidney Tests To Measure Your Kidney
Function

Other Uses
This checklist also serves two other uses that you might find beneficial.

1. For those of you who are unsure whether or not you have kidney disease, or those of you
who are newly diagnosed, this maybe a valuable checklist to take in to your next
consultation. In this way your doctor or naturopath will know exactly what kidney failure
symptoms you are experiencing, which will enable them to better assess you and treat
you.
2. For those with long-standing diagnosed kidney disease, please note that this is a great
tool to assess your treatment progress. Numbers on a piece of paper (test results) will
only tell you half of your health picture, and therefore noting your kidney failure symptoms
regularly will give you a broader picture of your health and how well your treatment
program is working for you.

If I Have Kidney Disease, What Happens Next?

I guess the scariest part of finding out you have kidney disease is asking the question “what
next?” Many Most people assume that once diagnosed with kidney disease it is the “end of the
road” because of the bad outlook that the medical community paints – nothing but dialysis or
transplants to look forward to.

But I am here to tell you categorically, and honestly, that there is so much you can do for the
health of your kidneys using natural medicines, even to the point of complete reversal. I have
spent the past many years treating kidney disease with great success (when all hope was lost
for some of my clients), using nothing but natural medicines.
Natural medicines have not only been proven in a clinical setting, but also scientific research is
starting to show what the ancients knew long ago with regards to natural medicines ability to help
heal the kidneys.

So if you have kidney disease or suspect you have kidney disease, do not be concerned, there is
a growing encyclopaedia of tried and tested natural techniques here on this blog to help you
recover from kidney disease, and of course there is my complete kidney healing program
available too, for those of you who like extra support and a step-by-step program.

Well it has been a pleasure as always, but now I would love to hear from YOU! Please do me the
honour of leaving your comments/thoughts/opinion below regarding this article on kidney failure
symptoms, and please click the “LIKE” button below if you have found this article useful
and/or enjoyable.

Until next time take care of yourself.

Kidney disease symptoms… what are they, when do they occur, and why do they occur…?

For many, kidney disease symptoms remain confusing. This however is not surprising…

•    Kidney disease has little awareness amongst the general public, and therefore is largely
misunderstood.
•    There are numerous conditions that fall under the ‘kidney disease’ umbrella term, each with
their own set of symptoms.
•    Kidney disease can be “acute” or “chronic”.
•    ‘Kidney disease’ is one of many terms that label the same condition. Others terms include:
chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, renal failure, renal disease, end-stage-kidney-disease…
etc.
•    Kidney disease symptoms rarely show themselves early on in the disease process; hence
kidney disease is often called “The Silent Killer”.
•    And surprisingly when kidney disease does enter its final stages, often patients are told that
every symptom that they are experiencing is caused by the kidneys.

What Is The Purpose Of This Article?

The purpose of this article is to clarify exactly what the signs and symptoms are for kidney
disease. And when I say the signs and symptoms of kidney disease, I mean the signs and
symptoms of a kidney that has already begun to diminish in function. Therefore a urinary tract
infection that has spread to the kidneys, but has not lowered the kidney function, is not applicable
here (for example).

Kidney Disease Symptoms

Below I have listed the most common signs and symptoms resulting from under functioning
kidneys. I have also tried, where I believe more information is needed, to explain the reasoning as
to why these signs and symptoms occur. This will help you understand your condition better, and
by doing so, enable you to heal yourself better.
Note: The following signs and symptoms can occur at any stage of kidney disease, however most
individuals begin to experience them at stage 3 or 4 .*
*Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is categorised in five distinct stages (based on your level of
kidney function) to better help care for kidney disease sufferers. Kidney function is measured by
what’s called an Estimated Gromulrular Filatration Rate (eGFR) test (for more information on this,
please go here). Here is a brief analysis of each of the five stages:
•    Stage 1 with normal or high GFR     (eGFR > 90 ml/min)
•    Stage 2 Mild CKD             (eGFR = 60-89 ml/min)
•    Stage 3 Moderate CKD         (eGFR = 30-59 ml/min)
•    Stage 4 Severe CKD             (eGFR = 15-29 ml/min)
•    Stage 5 End Stage CKD         (eGFR <15 ml/min)

Symptom 1: Changes In Urination

Changes in urine are common, which makes a lot of sense considering that the kidneys main
function is to regulate the body’s chemistry via the urine. These changes include:

-    increased night time urination (aka: nocturia)

-    foamy or bubbly urination (caused by excess protein in the urine)
-    increased/decreased urine output
-    dark yellow/brown urine
-    blood in urine (aka: hematuria)
-    increased urge, or a feeling of pressure on the bladder

Cause: The cause of this symptom is obvious. The kidneys that produce the urine are damaged,
and therefore impact the way urine is processed. Out of all the kidney disease symptoms, this is
one is probably the most common that I see in clinical practice.

Symptom 2: Fatigue
Feelings of constant fatigue, tiredness, drowsiness, and lethargy.

Cause: There are numerous causes for this symptom:

-    Anemia: the kidneys produce the hormone EPO which is required to produce red blood cells.
When the kidneys decrease in function, so too does the production of EPO.
-    Decreased oxygenation: as mentioned above, kidney disease can cause red blood cell
production to decrease, when this occurs you have fewer red blood cells to transport life giving
oxygenation around the body. On top of this fluid can build up around the lungs causing inhalation
difficulty, and therefore drawing in deep, long, oxygenating breaths is a rare occurrence.
-    Adrenal fatigue: The Kidneys And Adrenals Are ONE – Although technically they are not the
same organ/gland they are structurally connected, the adrenals produce a hormone call
aldosterone which increases the kidneys reabsorption of sodium and water (and elimination of
potassium), and from an energetic stand point, are the same.

The adrenal glands literally sit on top of the kidney like a hat – Please refer to following article
for a diagram – and because of this, both impact each other. The adrenal glands are your body’s
anti-stress/energy centre, by releasing such hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and
norepinephrinecortisol they increase the body’s energy. If the kidneys are not functioning well,
then so aren’t the adrenals. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also refers to these two organs
as one. In their philosophy their in no distinction between the two, they are simply known as the
‘kidney’ meridian. The kidney meridian is regarded as the body’s most important reservoir of
essential energy. And in the TCM philosophy, the “kidneys” house the body’s will power, control
short-term memory, and provide the capacity for drive and strength. A person with deficient
“kidneys” will be deficient in potency and stamina.
 Symptom 3: Itching
Itching is a very common kidney disease symptom; it can occur over the whole body, it is often
worse at night, and can be relentless.

Cause: Itchy skin is caused by the build up of toxic wastes in the blood stream, eventually finding
their way to the skin. In particular, itchy skin is the symptom of too many phosphates in the blood.

Symptom 4: Nausea and Vomiting

This is a horrible kidney disease symptom that is usually coupled with low appetite and anorexia.

Cause: Like symptom number three, this symptom is caused by a build up of toxins in the blood.
Unlike number three, this mainly caused by a build up of the blood chemical urea.

Symptom 5: Shortness of Breath/Difficulty Breathing

A feeling of breathlessness, even on minimal exertion is a symptom most people struggle to deal
with – it is a constant reminder of their current state of ill health.

Cause: Similar to one of the causes of fatigue, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing can be
caused by anemia, low production of red blood cells, and build up of fluid around the lungs.

Symptom 6: Easy Bleeding and Bruising

Light bumps and knocks can result in what seems almost instantaneous bruising, and cuts seem
to take longer to heal.

Cause: Under functioning kidneys impact blood clotting, and quickly use up available vitamin C –
The deficiency sign of Vitamin C is bruising.

Symptom 7: Back Pain / Kidney Pain

This is really one in the same, as kidney pain resembles back pain. This “back” pain occurs at the
mid to lower back cross section (just under the low ribs)

Cause: Another understandable symptom; when the kidneys are “damaged” then the body
produces pain transmissions to alert the person that there is something wrong in that area.

Symptom 8: Swelling or Puffiness

Swelling and puffiness can occur at any part of the body, whether it be the ankles, feet, hands,
wrists, fingers, toes, eye lids, face, legs, arms, chest, neck, or stomach.

Cause: Fluid retention is the cause of this kidney disease symptom. Fluid builds up in certain
parts of the body as the kidneys struggle to keep up the demand of eliminating excess fluid.

Symptom 9: High Blood Pressure

Even though you may NOT have developed kidney failure due to high blood pressure
(hypertension), it is possible to develop high blood pressure while your kidney disease
progresses.

Cause: Due to the kidneys to failing to remove excess fluid (in the form of urine) as they are
designed to do, the fluid builds up and up and up, which increases the blood pressure with it.
Symptom 10: Anemia
Anemia is the state in which the body is deficient in either the total number of red blood cells or
the quantity of hemoglobin within the red blood cells.

Cause: The kidneys produce a hormone called Erythropoietin (EPO), which increases the
production of red blood cells within the bone marrow. When the kidneys are failing the production
of EPO reduces and anemia sets in

Other Kidney Disease Symptoms…

That completes the 10 most common kidney disease symptoms that I see in my clinical practice,
but unfortunately there are many more that can occur as a result of renal failure. These are:
•    Anorexia
•    Chest pain, due to inflammation around the heart
•    Constipation, and other digestive disturbances
•    Diarrhoea
•    Headache
•    Hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels)
•    Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels)
•    Hypernatraemia (high blood sodium levels)
•    Hyperparathyroidism (high blood parathyroid hormone levels)
•    Hyperphosphatemia (high blood phosphate levels)
•    Hyponatraemia (low blood sodium levels)
•    Increased Thirst
•    Insomnia
•    Intolerance to cold
•    Loss of feeling in extremities, numbness
•    Low appetite
•    Low Libido
•    Low Vitamin D levels
•    Menstrual cycle changes
•    Metabolic acidosis
•    Poor concentration, confusion, and seizures.
•    Muscle cramps and stiffness
•    Osteoporosis, bone pain and fractures
•    Skin colour: pale, grayish, or yellowish-brownish
•    Weakness

Where to Now?
For many this list can seem downright depressing, and create feelings of hopelessness, apathy,
and despair. Therefore it is important to know that there is ALWAYS something you can do
manage, treat, and heal kidney disease symptoms.

Let me say that again: “Therefore it is important to know that there is ALWAYS something you
can do manage, treat, and heal kidney disease symptoms.”

Whatever your inclination, western medicine or natural medicine, you have many options
available and so there is no need to suffer alone. Talk to your health care professional
(naturopath, doctor, traditional Chinese medicine doctor, or other), get the facts, and weigh up
what works best for you. In fact why not use the best that each has to offer? But make sure you
know the side-effects and interactions first before starting any treatment program.
There is of course my ebook program that explains step-by-step how to help heal your kidneys
and reverse kidney disease symptoms. The program is called The Kidney Disease Solution, and
it has helped thousands of people world-wide, young and old, of all backgrounds and abilities,
and it can be found here.

But as mentioned there are many ways that you can get help, and it is up to you to work out
what’s best for your situation. I myself prefer all natural methods, you may prefer something else.

I hope this has helped you get clear as to what your symptoms mean and if the symptoms you
are experiencing are in fact at all kidney disease symptoms.

If you enjoyed this kidney recipe please be sure to click the “Like” button below, and leave
a comment.

In medicine, dialysis (from Greek dialusis, meaning dissolution, dia, meaning through,
and lysis, meaning loosening or splitting) is a process for removing waste and excess
water from the blood, and is used primarily to provide an artificial replacement for lost
kidney function in people with renal failure. Dialysis may be used for those with an acute
disturbance in kidney function (acute kidney injury, previously acute renal failure), or
progressive but chronically worsening kidney function–a state known as chronic kidney
disease stage 5 (previously chronic renal failure or end-stage kidney disease). The latter
form may develop over months or years, but in contrast to acute kidney injury is not
usually reversible, and dialysis is regarded as a "holding measure" until a renal transplant
can be performed, or sometimes as the only supportive measure in those for whom a
transplant would be inappropriate.[1]

The kidneys have important roles in maintaining health. When healthy, the kidneys
maintain the body's internal equilibrium of water and minerals (sodium, potassium,
chloride, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfate). Those acidic metabolism end-
products that the body cannot get rid of via respiration are also excreted through the
kidneys. The kidneys also function as a part of the endocrine system, producing
erythropoietin and calcitriol. Erythropoietin is involved in the production of red blood
cells and calcitriol plays a role in bone formation.[2] Dialysis is an imperfect treatment to
replace kidney function because it does not correct the endocrine functions of the kidney.
Dialysis treatments replace some of these functions through diffusion (waste removal)
and ultrafiltration (fluid removal).

Principle

A hemodialysis machine

Dialysis works on the principles of the diffusion of solutes and ultrafiltration of fluid
across a semi-permeable membrane. Diffusion describes a property of substances in
water. Substances in water tend to move from an area of high concentration to an area of
low concentration.[5] Blood flows by one side of a semi-permeable membrane, and a
dialysate, or special dialysis fluid, flows by the opposite side. A semipermeable
membrane is a thin layer of material that contains holes of various sizes, or pores.
Smaller solutes and fluid pass through the membrane, but the membrane blocks the
passage of larger substances (for example, red blood cells, large proteins). This replicates
the filtering process that takes place in the kidneys, when the blood enters the kidneys
and the larger substances are separated from the smaller ones in the glomerulus.[5]

The two main types of dialysis, hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis, remove wastes and
excess water from the blood in different ways.[1] Hemodialysis removes wastes and water
by circulating blood outside the body through an external filter, called a dialyzer, that
contains a semipermeable membrane. The blood flows in one direction and the dialysate
flows in the opposite. The counter-current flow of the blood and dialysate maximizes the
concentration gradient of solutes between the blood and dialysate, which helps to remove
more urea and creatinine from the blood. The concentrations of solutes (for example
potassium, phosphorus, and urea) are undesirably high in the blood, but low or absent in
the dialysis solution, and constant replacement of the dialysate ensures that the
concentration of undesired solutes is kept low on this side of the membrane. The dialysis
solution has levels of minerals like potassium and calcium that are similar to their natural
concentration in healthy blood. For another solute, bicarbonate, dialysis solution level is
set at a slightly higher level than in normal blood, to encourage diffusion of bicarbonate
into the blood, to act as a pH buffer to neutralize the metabolic acidosis that is often
present in these patients. The levels of the components of dialysate are typically
prescribed by a nephrologist according to the needs of the individual patient.

In peritoneal dialysis, wastes and water are removed from the blood inside the body using
the peritoneal membrane of the peritoneum as a natural semipermeable membrane.
Wastes and excess water move from the blood, across the peritoneal membrane, and into
a special dialysis solution, called dialysate, in the abdominal cavity which has a
composition similar to the fluid portion of blood

Risks and Side Effects During Kidney

Dialysis
It's important to remember that without dialysis, many patients' only hope is a
transplant. The risks associated with refusing dialysis are MUCH worse than those due to
dialysis. Rather than panic at these potential problems, speak to your own doctor for a
fuller explanation. No web site should be a substitute for proper medical advice!

Bleeding from the Access Point

As dialysis is an invasive technique, the area surrounding the access point can be
damaged and bleeding can occur. You should see your doctor if this occurs.
Hypotension

Dialysis patients are at risk of a sudden drop in blood pressure (hypotension), due to the
stress the cardiovascular system is under from regular hemodialysis. However this can be
controlled by medication.

Infections

As mentioned on other pages, dialysis patients are generally more susceptible to

infection. The access point should be kept clean, and any sign of infection (redness,
itching, or other problems) watched for. Peritonitis with its associated flu-like symptoms,
is also a possibility. Hence the importance of cleanliness and good general hygiene.

Cramps, Nausea and Headaches

These flu-like symptons are sometimes experienced by hemodialysis patients. The water
quality in the dialyzer, the composition of the dialyser itself, the dialysate composition,
and the rate of filteration can all cause problems, which can be reduced by adjusting the
dialysis perscription. However, do remember that these are also symptoms of peritonitis.

We have a separate article on muscle cramps during dialysis.

Diseases

There is a slight risk of contracting hepatitis B and hepatitis C due to the the exposure of
blood during the treatment. Vacination against the B strain is generally recommended.
While HIV is a risk in theory, one only person in the US (a staff member, not a patient)
has been documented as contracting this disease in the last six years or so. Strict
standards are imposed in dialysis centres which minimise the risks considerably.

Electrolyte Imbalance

This will almost certainly be detected via the normal blood tests conducted on dialysis
patients. There are a variety of vital electrolytes (ionic species) in the blood that control a
number of bodily process and this is too general an area for discussion here.

Anemia

The red blood cell volume in dialysis patients (especially hemodialysis patients) is often
lower then normal. This is due to reduced levels of the hormone erythropoietin, which is
produced by the kidneys and regulates red blood cell production. Medication to treat the
anemia is commonly used by dialysis patients. See the Anemia section in the main menu
for more information.

Infectious diseases

During hemodialysis, there is a slight risk of getting hepatitis B and hepatitis C. But you
can be vacinated against hepatitis B, something which is generally recommended to most
patients on hemodialysis. Due to the strict standards enforced to reduce infections in
modern hemodialysis centres, however, the chance of being infected is very small.
Let's finish this section the way we started it - no web site is a substitute for proper
medical advice from your own doctor. We are here to supplement, not to replace your
medical advisor

Diets for Kidney Failure Patients

In all cases, do listen to your doctor's advice as the doctor knows your individual case
details and when the following advice may not apply. Your renal dietitian knows best.
There is no one renal diet that is best for all patients at all stages of their illness. It is
important that you have a healthy diet in general terms, as kidney patients are also at
risk of developing heart disease, so avoiding fatty foods is recommended.

Salt (sodium chloride)

Many people have too much salt in their diet and for renal patients, it is generally
considered important to have a diet that is low in salt, especially not adding salt after the
food has been cooked. But be aware that salt substitutes such as Lo-Salt, are NOT
recommended, as these products contain high amounts of potassium. Pre-cooked meat
tends to be high in salt content as do some canned or preserved food. The vast majority
of our salt intake is added to food when cooking or eating it. Renal patients should aim to
consume about half as much salt as other people.

Potassium

Potassium levels in food don't normally have to be restricted, apart from the warning
about Lo-Salt substitutes. But for haemodialysis patients, your potassium levels vary a
lot, so listen carefully to what your doctor advises you to do to control potassium levels.
Foods which have a high potassium level include apricot, artichoke, bananas, beans,
carrot juice, baked potatoes, prunes and prune juice, raisins, lentils, spinach, tomatoes,
tomato juice and tomato sauce. In particular, beans, lentils, baked potatoes, raisins,
tomato sauce and prunes have high levels.
There are more details about this topic on our potassium and dialysis page.

Protein

At one time, a low protein diet was recommended for patients with kidney failure, but
this is no longer advised. Modern treatment suggests a normal protein intake - not high,
not low. A high protein intake may eventually lead to kidney damage, due to increased
phosphate intake. Therefore the Aitkens diet is NOT suitable for those with any kidney
disease. Substances which bind with phosphate, such as calcium carbonate or calcium
acetate, are used to remove excess dietary phosphate in some patients. But in turn,
these salts can increase the likelihood of constipation.

Energy

It is common to find that when kidney patients' illness progresses, they may not eat
enough due to lack of appetite and generally feeling listless. Lack of energy may lead to
the breakdown of muscle to provide energy. Malnutrition is actually possible do to lack of
appetite. So do continue to eat proper meals. Indeed some people even recommend
having snacks between meals to increase your food intake.
Fluid Intake

This should be continued at a normal level - if you feel thirsty, have a drink of water.
Some patients with fluid retention have to watch their fluid intake carefully however. And
if you are not producing urine, you have to reduce your fluid intake, This is especially
true for hemodialysis patients who have to monitor their intake carefully. But excess salt
in your diet encourages you to drink too often. You should find on hemodialysis that your
weight increases by around 0.5 kg per day between treatments - if it increases by more
than this then you are suffering from fluid retention.

Peritoneal Dialysis

The regular daily nature of Peritoneal Dialysis makes control of potassium levels and
most other dietary problems a bit easier, but a slightly higher protein intake is often
recommended. Fluid intake is not quite as restricted as it can be for haemodialysis
patients, but you should still watch for fluid retention problems. Sugar present in the PD
fluid means that peritoneal patients should restrict their calorie intake a bit more than
haemodialysis patients.

Watch that you consume enough fibre to avoid constipation - a side effect of PD.

Finally, and it is worth repeating this, listen to what your doctor tells you about your diet!

Dietary Guidelines for Adults Starting on Hemodialysis

Use this brochure as a guide until your dietitian prepares a personalized meal plan for
you. You will need to:

 Eat more high protein foods.

 Eat less high salt, high potassium, and high phosphorus foods.
 Learn how much fluid you can safely drink (including coffee, tea, and water).

Salt & Sodium

 Use less salt and eat fewer salty foods: this may help to control blood pressure
and reduce weight gains between dialysis sessions.
 Use herbs, spices, and low-salt flavor enhancers in place of salt.
 Avoid salt substitutes made with potassium.

Meat/Protein
People on dialysis need to eat more protein. Protein can help maintain blood protein
levels and improve health. Eat a high protein food (meat, fish, poultry, fresh pork, or
eggs) at every meal, or about 8-10 ounces of high protein foods everyday.
3 ounce = the size of a deck of cards, a medium pork chop, a ¼ pound hamburger patty,
½ chicken breast, a medium fish fillet.

1 ounce = 1 egg or ¼-cup egg substitute, ¼-cup tuna, ¼-cup ricotta cheese, 1 slice of low
sodium lunchmeat.

Note : Even though peanut butter, nuts, seeds, dried beans, peas, and lentils have protein,
these foods are generally not recommended because they are high in both potassium and
phosphorus.

Grains/Cereals/Bread
Unless you need to limit your calorie intake for weight loss and/or manage carbohydrate
intake for blood sugar control, you may eat, as you desire from this food group. Grains,
cereals, and breads are a good source of calories. Most people need 6 -11 servings from
this group each day.

Amounts equal to one serving:

 1slice bread (white, rye, or
sourdough)
 ½ English muffin
 ½ bagel
 ½ hamburger bun
 ½ hot dog bun
 1 6-inch tortilla
 ½ cup cooked white rice
 ½ cup cooked cereal (like
cream of wheat)
 1 cup cold cereal (like corn
flakes or crispy rice)
 4 unsalted crackers
 1½ cups unsalted popcorn

 ½ cup cooked pasta  10 vanilla wafers

Avoid “whole grain” and “high fiber” foods (like whole wheat bread, bran cereal and
brown rice) to help you limit your intake of phosphorus. By limiting dairy–based foods
you protect your bones and blood vessels.

Milk/Yogurt/Cheese
Limit your intake of milk, yogurt, and cheese to ½-cup milk or ½-cup yogurt or 1-
ounce cheese per day. Most dairy foods are very high in phosphorus.

The phosphorus content is the same for all types of milk – skim, low fat, and whole! If
you do eat any high-phosphorus foods, take a phosphate binder with that meal.

Dairy foods “low” in phosphorus:

 Butter and tub margarine
  Cream cheese
 Heavy cream
 Ricotta cheese
 Brie cheese
 Non-dairy whipped topping
 Sherbet

If you have or are at risk for heart disease, some of the high fat foods listed above may
not be good choices for you.

Certain brands of non-dairy creams and “milk” (such as rice milk) are low in phosphorus
and potassium. Ask your dietitian for details.

Fruit/Juice
All fruits have some potassium, but certain fruits have more than others and should be
limited or totally avoided. Limiting potassium protects your heart.

Limit or avoid :
 Oranges and orange juice  Raisins and dried fruit
 Kiwis  Bananas
 Nectarines
 Melons (cantaloupe and
 Prunes and prune juice honeydew)

Always AVOID star fruit (carambola).

Eat 2-3 servings of low potassium fruits each day.

One serving = ½-cup or 1 small fruit or 4 ounces of juice.

Choose:
 Apple (1)  Pear, fresh or canned,
 Berries (½ cup) drained (1 halve)
 Cherries (10)  Pineapple (½ cup canned,
 Fruit cocktail, drained (½ drained)
cup)  Plums (1-2)
 Grapes (15)  Tangerine (1)

 Peach (1 small fresh or  Watermelon (1 small

canned, drained) wedge)

Drinks:
  Apple cider  Grape juice

 Cranberry juice cocktail  Lemonade

Vegetables/Salads
All vegetables have some potassium, but certain vegetables have more than others and
should be limited or totally avoided. Limiting potassium intake protects your heart.

Eat 2-3 servings of low-potassium vegetables each day. One serving = ½-cup.

Choose :
 Green and Wax beans
 Broccoli (“string beans”)
 Cabbage  Lettuce-all types (1 cup)
 Carrots  Onion
 Cauliflower  Peppers-all types and
 Celery colors
 Cucumber  Radishes
 Eggplant  Watercress

 Garlic  Zucchini and Yellow

squash

Limit or avoid:
 Potatoes (including French  Avocado
Fries, potato chips and  Beets
sweet potatoes)  Beet greens
 Tomatoes and tomato  Cooked spinach
sauce
 Winter squash  Parsnips and rutabaga
 Pumpkin

 Asparagus

Dessert
Depending on your calorie needs, your dietitian may recommend high-calorie deserts.
Pies, cookies, sherbet, and cakes are good choices (but limit dairy-based desserts and
those made with chocolate, nuts, and bananas). If you are a diabetic, discuss low
carbohydrate dessert choices with your dietitian.
Sample Menu

Breakfast
Cranberry Juice, 4 ounces
Eggs (2) or ½-cup egg substitute
Toasted white bread, 2 slices, with Butter or tub margarine or fruit spread
Coffee, 6 ounces

Lunch
Tuna salad sandwich made with 3 ounces tuna on a hard roll with lettuce and
mayonnaise.
(Other good choices for sandwiches include egg and chicken salad, lean roast beef, low
salt ham and turkey breast.)
Coleslaw, ½-cup
Pretzels (low salt)
Canned and drained peaches, ½-cup
Ginger Ale, 8 ounces

(Cola drinks are high in phosphorus. Choose ginger ale or lemon-lime beverages
instead.)

Dinner
Hamburger patty, 4 ounces on a bun with 1-2 teaspoons ketchup
Salad (1 cup): lettuce, cucumber, radishes, peppers, with olive oil and vinegar dressing
Lemonade, 8 ounces

Aim for at least 2-3 “fish” meals each week. Many fish are rich in heart-healthy “omega-
3” fats. Tuna and salmon (rinsed or canned without salt) and shellfish are excellent heart
healthy protein choices.

Snack/Dessert
Milk, 4 ounces
Slice of apple pie

This meal plan provides 2150 Calories, 91 grams protein, 2300 mg sodium, 1800 mg (46
mEq) potassium, 950 mg phosphorus. 38 ounces of oral fluid.

Reference: ESHA “Food Processor” nutrition software, version 8.5.0

The National Kidney Foundation would like to thank the Council on Renal
Nutrition for the development of this fact sheet.

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