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What is harmful to human kidneys – 10 prohibited foods according to scientists

Kidneys perform many functions in the human body: they remove toxic substances, maintain blood volume and acid-base balance, synthesize hormones and other valuable components, regulate blood pressure.

Any disorders in the functioning of the kidneys (functional or anatomical in nature) can affect the entire body and can lead to a deterioration in the quality of life, social maladjustment, disability and even death.

People suffering from kidney diseases or having a predisposition to them are recommended to adjust their diet and eliminate a number of harmful components.

The relationship between diet and kidney health

A diet with an excess of potassium, phosphorus, sodium and other stone-forming substances causes malfunctions in the kidneys, promotes the appearance of stones in the lumen of the urinary tract and reduces local factors of immunity . As a result, kidney cells are unable to withstand any other damaging factors.

Eating restrictions depend on the current state of the kidneys. If the organs are healthy or their function is slightly reduced, then there are no special restrictions in the diet. However, with severe disorders, excess sodium, potassium or phosphorus not only aggravates the condition of the kidneys, but also affects the entire body, provoking serious disorders (from osteoporosis to cardiac arrest).

Below is a list of 10 products harmful to people with kidney pathologies or predisposition to them.

1. Fats and offal

Proven that excessive consumption of foods with a high specific fat content (lard, pork, duck meat) leads to increased urinary excretion of oxalates, and also contributes to the development of nephrocalcinosis, which reduces kidney function and leads to irreversible dystrophic changes.

Known that an excess of animal fats provokes a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract (absorption suffers), which leads to a deficiency of vital vitamins (B6, D, A), as well as magnesium. It is these elements that contribute to the release of a number of colloids that protect the mucous membrane of the calyx-pelvic system and the underlying urinary system from any damage. As a result, the risk of developing infectious pathologies increases significantly.

With kidney disease, you can also not eat fat-rich offal obtained from animal raw materials. These include: liver, kidneys, liver sausage.

Restriction of fatty animal foods helps to increase local immunity factors at the level of the urinary system and the prevention of inflammatory diseases.

2. Meat of young animals

The main mechanism of uraturia formation followed by the formation of uric acid stones is a violation of purine metabolism in the body.

Proven that the level of urates excreted in urine is directly proportional to the number of purine bases that enter the human body with food.

That is why meat of young animals should be limited as much as possible or completely excluded from the diet (the purine content in them is over 100-150 mg per 100 g of product).

In patients with chronic kidney disease, the level of daily urine decreases, which further aggravates the situation.

One of the ways to prevent kidney stones is to reduce the consumption of meat from young animals due to its high purine content.

3. Seafood

Russian scientists have come to the conclusion that the excessive content of vitamin D3 (calcitriol) in the body leads to excessive adsorption of calcium ions in the intestine with their subsequent excretion in the urine.

In all patients with urolithiasis, the calcium level is at the upper limits of the norm or exceeds it.

For example, 100 g of fish oil (obtained from the liver of cod) contains 25 daily norms of calcium, herring – 3 daily norms, chum salmon and mackerel – 1.6.

In order to prevent the formation of calcium stones in the lumen of the urinary tract and calcification of the kidneys, it is necessary to limit the consumption of fatty fish varieties and not abuse fish oil, which is extremely common in folk medicine.

4. Sweet carbonated drinks

One of the most popular drinks – Coca Cola contains a huge amount of sugar (over 10 g per 100 ml), as well as phosphorus.

High glycemic background contributes to the development of type II diabetes mellitus by reducing the sensitivity of insulin receptors in fat and muscle tissue cells. As you know, in diabetes mellitus, the kidneys are among the first to suffer – diabetic nephropathy develops.

Special importance is given to phosphorus, which is added to improve the taste properties of the drink, extend the shelf life and prevent discoloration.

Proven that phosphorus in the form of orthophosphoric acid (it is found in beverages) is much better absorbed (bioavailability is more than 3 times higher than animal or vegetable phosphorus). In addition, similar phosphorus, presumably , does not bind to proteins, but continues to be in the form of salt, which significantly increases the rate of absorption.

Excess phosphorus in the body leads to the formation of kidney stones, the appearance of dystrophic changes in the epithelium of the tubules. Against the background of a hyperphosphate background, osteoporosis develops, is impaired liver function (signs of thrombohemorrhagic syndrome appear).

Carbonated drinks with high sugar and phosphorus content should be avoided to prevent kidney disease. Such a product is strictly prohibited for patients with a nephrological profile.

5. Avocado

Avocados are widely appreciated for their high content of nutrients, fats, indigestible fiber and antioxidants that are beneficial for the cardiovascular system. However, people suffering from kidney disease with decreased urinary excretion should avoid this product.

Data available that 100 g of avocado contains about 500 mg of potassium (a quarter of the daily value). "Sick" kidneys are unable to remove potassium from the body, which provokes growth Blood potassium levels . As a result, numerous disorders are formed: arrhythmias (more often tachysystolic forms), sudden cardiac arrest.

Due to the high potassium content, avocados should be excluded for people who suffer from chronic kidney diseases or have a predisposition to them.

6. Dairy products

Milk is a source of phosphorus, potassium and protein.

Proven that consuming too much dairy products provokes an increase in the level of phosphorus and potassium in the blood, which leads to impaired kidney function, a decrease in Bone strength .

According to Russian scientists, dairy products are also rich in melanin (especially infant formula). This substance increases the growth of uric acid stones, which lead to the development of kidney failure.

Alternatively, you can use rice or almond milk. The content of phosphorus and potassium in them is much lower.

Dairy products should be restricted in people with kidney disease or predisposition to it, as they have a high content of potassium and phosphorus.

7. Processed meat

Processed meat products are considered to include special food additives, spices and spices, salt to improve taste and increase shelf life. As a rule, they are also smoked, salted or dried.

This category includes sausage, bacon, canned food, ham, sausages.

Such products are closely associated with the development of chronic kidney diseases due to the presence of preservatives with nephrotoxic properties.

One of the studies showed a high incidence of hypertension in people who eat processed meat products. As a result, the epithelium of the renal vessels is replaced by fibrous tissue, which negatively affects their functional activity.

In addition, meat, after salting or smoking, contains a record amount of salt, which is an independent risk factor for hypertension and edematous syndrome. Scientists from the USA revealed a direct link between a diet with chemically processed meat products and the incidence of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus, in which signs of diabetic nephropathy appear in the future.

Meat with a large number of preservatives and salt should be limited in people suffering from acute or chronic kidney diseases.

8. Apricots, dried apricots

Apricots are rich in vitamin C and A, as well as fiber, which improves the microflora and intestinal function . The only disadvantage is the high potassium content (the negative effect of the trace element on the kidneys is described above).

100 g of fresh apricots contains 280 mg of potassium, 100 g of dried apricots – almost 800 mg. This means that several dried fruits give the body almost half of the daily value of the trace element. The potassium concentration in apricots is significantly higher than in all other fruits and dried fruits.

In kidney diseases, it is necessary to limit the consumption of apricots, especially in dried form, due to the extremely high potassium content.

9. Fast food

Noodles or potatoes, which must be poured with boiling water and wait 3-5 minutes, are an extremely dangerous food category for the body.

They contain a record amount of salt, which provokes an increase in blood pressure and the development of dystrophic changes in the renal tubules.

Special role, according to accumulated scientific data , is assigned to monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer. It helps to increase appetite. As a result, people gain weight, which affects all organ systems, and increases the risk of fatty kidney dystrophy.

In addition, there are practically no substances useful for the body in fast food. A person receives only calories and a "bundle" of diseases, and not valuable vitamins, macro- and microelements.

The use of instant and ready meals is a risk factor for damage to the kidneys and other body systems.

10. Potato

100 g of potatoes (this is about 75% of the average potato) can contain from 280 to 500 mg of potassium, which is dangerous for the body in case of kidney disorders.

Proven that soaking potatoes in water (at least 4 hours) leads to a decrease in potassium concentration by 1.5-2 times after cooking.

In addition, this method of processing reduces the level of of starch , which has a beneficial effect on the caloric content of the product and leads to a decrease in body weight.

Persons with kidney pathology with a decrease in their functional activity should limit potato consumption due to the large amount of potassium in it. As a last resort, it is recommended to soak the potatoes in water before cooking.

7 general diet rules

Nutritionists and doctors around the world recommend following a number of rules to maintain the functional and anatomical usefulness of the kidneys:

Drink enough clean water. Proven that fluid deficiency leads to the accumulation in the body of its own metabolites, toxic substances and stone-forming components from food. The rate of fluid intake per day for an adult is at least 1.5-2 liters.
Diversify your diet. Do not consume the same foods for a long time. It is also important to observe the qualitative and quantitative composition of the diet. Failure to comply with such recommendations disrupts the work of local immune factors of the urinary system, provokes the development of urolithiasis.
Limit animal fats. Proven that increased consumption of meat with a high fat content provokes the appearance of degenerative kidney diseases (for example, nephrocalcinosis).
Give up bad habits. Alcohol contributes to the destruction of epithelial cells of the renal tubules. Smoking is closely associated with autoimmune diseases and the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease.
Lead a healthy lifestyle. Systematic feasible physical activity in combination with outdoor walks (parks and coniferous forests are perfect) improve metabolism, enhance immunity and resistance to pathogens of infectious diseases.
Observe fractional nutrition. You should take food 5-6 times a day in equal portions, which contributes to an adequate load on the kidneys.
Contact specialists in a timely manner when any signs of damage to the kidneys and other parts of the urinary system appear (lower back pain; decrease or increase in urine volume; change in urine color; pain and soreness during sexual and urination).

Conclusion

Thus, compliance with simple dietary recommendations and the exclusion of products with a high content of stone-forming substances (potassium, phosphorus and sodium) it can improve the condition of the kidneys, slow down the course of current diseases and prevent the appearance of new ones.