The Right Diet Can Slow Polycystic Kidney Disease

Although there's no cure for polycystic kidney disease yet, what you eat can have a real effect on how fast the condition progresses.It's important to start early, though.If you have polycystic kidney disease, the food you choose to eat may help slow progression of symptoms related to the disease, for which there is no cure.If you have the disease, you develop multiple cysts in your kidneys.These can enlarge your kidneys and replace much of the organ's regular structure, leading to reduced kidney function and kidney failure.Here are a few tips to get you started.
Follow a Low-Protein Diet
Pass on the protein shakes or other foods that can contribute to excessive protein intake.It is unwise for people who have polycystic kidney disease or advanced kidney disease to consume large amounts of protein, according to the National Kidney Foundation.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.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.
Caffeine-containing Foods and Drinks
Coffee, tea, colas and other caffeine-containing foods and beverages are poor choices if you have polycystic kidney disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic.Caffeine is a risk factor for enlarged cysts, says Franck A. Belibi, lead author for a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.Drinking lots of water, on the other hand, is a good choice, according to the Cleveland Clinic.That's because dehydration can provokes kidney cyst development.
Salty Food

The National Kidney Foundation recommends that you do not add extra salt to your foods and also advises against choosing foods that are high in salt if you have polycystic kidney disease.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.
http://www.pkdclinic.org/food-drinks/