Diet Tips Of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within your kidneys. Cysts are noncancerous round sacs containing water-like fluid.
Polycystic kidney disease isn't limited to your kidneys, although the kidneys usually are the most severely affected organs. The disease can cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in your body.
When your liver breaks down protein, it produces a waste product called urea, which your kidneys are responsible for getting rid of. That means excess protein in the diet puts a strain on the kidneys.
Track how much protein you eat on an average day and if you discover you're getting more than the USDA Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of .8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight , try to cut back. Eat less meat, cheese, and even a little less of the higher protein beans and legumes like chickpeas and lentils. Use vegetables and grains for your main dishes and if you need extra calories, add healthy fats like avocados and olive oil.
A low protein diet can make a dramatic difference. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, a well managed low protein diet can give PKD patients an average of nearly one year without dialysis in cases where dialysis would have been needed had there been no dietary intervention.
Give Soy a Try
In general, eating less protein can help your kidneys, but there's one protein you may want to get a little more of. The results of a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology in 1999 showed that dietary soy protein can slow the progression of PKD in rats. Rats fed soy as their main protein source had lower kidney weights and fewer cysts compared to those fed casein.. Keep in mind, though, that you'll be better off with traditional fermented soy products like tofu, miso, and tempeh. Non-fermented soy products like soy milk and soy-based protein bars have been shown to cause health problems of their own.
Keep Your Electrolytes Balanced
For most people, this translates to "cut back on salt." Electrolytes are vital minerals in the body, such as calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. The body relies on the kidneys to keep these in balance. Most people eating a typical "Western" diet get too much salt, which can throw this delicate balance off. This is why so many people with polycystic kidney disease develop high blood pressure. In fact, in the Encyclopedia of Health published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the entry on PDK specifically recommends a low-salt diet.
To start reducing salt in your diet, use garlic powder, onion powder or other herbs and spices in place of salt. Try to use less of sauces like ketchup and soy sauce. Avoid highly processed foods like meats, soups, and vegetables that come in cans. Even low-sodium varieties of these have more salt that something you'd make at home.