How can dialysis patients eat to avoid worsening their condition? This guide is a must-read!

Diet therapy is the basis of dialysis treatment. A reasonable and appropriate diet plays a vital role in maintaining nutritional status, maintaining water and electrolyte balance in the body, and protecting residual renal function. So, how should dialysis patients arrange their daily diet so as not to aggravate their condition? Today, we will take you to learn more about it.

The main principles that dialysis patients should follow in their diet are to eat enough protein, sufficient energy and vitamins, avoid excessive water intake, and prevent the occurrence of various complications such as high blood pressure, hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia.

Difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

Hemodialysis is a treatment process that uses a hemodialysis machine to replace the human kidney in vitro to remove toxins and excess water from the body, thereby correcting water, electrolyte disorders and acid-base imbalances, alleviating clinical symptoms and saving lives. Peritoneal dialysis uses the body's own peritoneum as a dialysis membrane and infuses the peritoneal cavity with dialysis fluid through a peritoneal dialysis tube to remove metabolic waste and excess water from the body, and correct water, electrolyte disorders and acid-base imbalances.

Protein intake principles for dialysis patients

There are 8 essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized in the human body and must be supplied by food. Protein in food can be divided into the following two categories based on the amount of essential amino acids.

(1) High-quality protein

The human body has a high utilization rate for this type of protein and produces less metabolic waste. It is mainly supplemented through eggs, milk, beef, poultry and fish.

(2) Non-high-quality protein

The types of essential amino acids are incomplete, the proportions are unreasonable, the overall utilization rate is low, and the burden on renal blood flow is increased, such as plant proteins such as cereals, various vegetables and beans. The intake of this type of protein should not be too much.

Based on ideal body weight, the recommended protein intake for hemodialysis patients is 1.2 g/(kg·day), and the recommended protein intake for peritoneal dialysis patients is 1.2-1.3 g/(kg·day). High-quality protein should account for 50% of the total protein intake. Compound α-keto acid preparations can be supplemented at 0.075-0.120 g/(kg·day).

Principles of energy supply for dialysis patients

The most suitable energy supply (based on body weight) for dialysis patients is 147 kJ/kg per day. For patients over 60 years old with low activity and good nutritional status, it can be reduced to 126 kJ/kg. After the start of maintenance dialysis, patients need to consume enough energy to increase dry weight to improve the body's malnutrition. Energy mainly comes from rice, noodles and fat, and the energy provided by fat is more than twice that of carbohydrates and protein. Sugars mainly composed of complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fatty acids mainly composed of vegetable oils should constitute the main source of energy. Carbohydrates and lipids are best consumed together with protein-rich foods.

Principles of vitamin supplementation for dialysis patients

Dialysis patients should avoid excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and K, as excessive intake will accumulate in the body. However, due to dietary restrictions, metabolic changes caused by impaired renal function, and maintenance hemodialysis, patients may also suffer from multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies, especially water-soluble B vitamins and vitamin C. At this time, they can be supplemented by eating fresh vegetables and fruits, or taking vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and folic acid orally.

In addition, dialysis patients need to pay attention to drinking water, potassium intake, sodium intake, phosphorus intake, etc., and always develop correct eating habits, which is more beneficial to the disease.