Food is an integral part of any individual’s life. It forms the components through which the body gets the energy it needs to push through the day. However, food has its limits, and misuse can lead to poor health conditions and the development of lifestyle diseases. Individuals suffering from IgA nephropathy have a strict diet that aims at keeping their blood pressure levels and body cholesterol in balance.
IgA Nephropathy: What it is?
It is a medical condition that results from health immunoglobulin A becoming defective. Once damaged, they settle on the kidneys preventing it from performing its functions properly. In turn, an individual suffers from high blood pressure and increased cholesterol levels.
The disease symptoms include blood in the urine (tea or brown urine color), proteins in urine, edema or swelling of your feet and hands, back pain, especially on the side and high blood pressure. Commonly, IgA nephropathy affects individuals aged between 15 years and 53 years.
IgA nephropathy treatment options include using medication to create a balance between blood pressure and body cholesterol. Following a strict diet that delivers essential nutrients that your body requires. Ensuring the food does not tire out your kidneys with filtrations. The final step and treatment are to undergo a kidney transplant.
IgA Nephropathy: Diet Plan
Diet plan is essential in that it slows down the progression of IgA nephropathy. The changes ensure that only what is vital for your general health is what you take. The significant changes in your diet include:
Low cholesterol/fat saturation
Fat saturation increases the amount of cholesterol in the body. The effects are increased blood pressure, which tires and wears out your kidneys. To slow the deterioration, you need to regulate the amount of cholesterol and saturated fats in your food.
The advice for all individuals suffering from IgA nephropathy or want to be healthy is to take food with a calorie count of 2000 in a single day. It not only regulates the amount of work your kidney has, but it also prevents you from acquiring other lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks, and many more.
Restrict yourself to whole grains, including brown rice, whole-grain cereal or bread for breakfast, oatmeal, quinoa, and more. Add vegetables of all kinds to your diet with 4 to 5 servings in a single day. Do not forget a healthy meal of fruits.
Low sodium intake
Sodium is an essential part of the body’s ecosystem. However, too much of it can cause many diseases, including fluid retention, heart diseases, and even result in insulin resistance causing diabetes.
Finding a balance between the too low and too high is what IgA nephropathy requires to maintain kidney health. A ¾ teaspoon or around 1500mg of sodium intake in a single day is what many professionals recommend. Whole foods come in handy in helping with salt intake into the body.
Regular to minimal protein intake
Proteins are vital to muscle development and the building of red blood cells in the body. However, taking too much than the body requires can burden your already weak kidneys. If suffering from IgA nephropathy, you should limit yourself to less than six protein servings in a single day.
Glue your interests in lean meat such as chicken, nuts, protein seeds, and legumes to less than five servings in a single week. To cover for the extra calories, you might need, introduce healthy vegetables and fruits to your food. Besides, proteins are sourced from both plants and animals, and you may find one that is suitable for you. Seek more advice from a professional on the subject.
Regular omega 3s
Fish even though is a protein has many benefits to individuals with IgA nephropathy. They contain omega 3s and 6s that are essential in the development of body organs. They promote healthy kidneys and try to repair what is already damaged.
With these fatty acids, you get a chance at better IgA nephropathy control and management. Therefore, your diet composition must include foods rich in omega 3s. These include but are not limited to cod liver, canola oil, fish oil, and other supplements, flaxseeds among others.
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