Today I ran across a Joslin Diabetes Center study about diabetes and early detection of kidney disease. The study results are of particular interest to me for several reasons. I’ve worked with so many people with diabetes, diagnosed with kidney disease and they didn’t even know they were at risk before ending up near or on dialysis. Secondly, while working in a DaVita dialysis center I was involved in a research study called the Nutrition and Inflammatory Evaluation of Dialysis Patients (NIED) Study that has provided extremely useful data about the connection between chronic inflammation and kidney disease. Third, diabetes is one of the chronic diseases in my own family so being as healthy as possible is an important personal goal.

The Joslin study researchers identified two protein receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 and 2 (TNFR1 and TNFR2) that are elevated in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The presence of these markers in the bloodstream can predict your risk of kidney function loss as much as 10 years in advance. That’s huge considering many people are unaware they have kidney problems until they are in the later stages of chronic kidney disease. There are no other tests like this available today, but in the future TNFR may become a routine part of your diabetes care. Currently,  doctors use hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, GFR and the presence of protein in the urine (proteinuria) to screen people with diabetes for decline in kidney function. The researchers indicate a diagnostic test to measure TNFRs in blood will be developed soon and available for patients.

 What this means from the kidney diet standpoint is early detection gives you a chance to make diet and lifestyle changes earlier. Our health-related behaviors and actions are more likely to change when we know personal risk is greater. You can protect your kidneys and preserve kidney function.  The diet goals for kidney disease differ with each stage. To learn more check out these articles on diet and stages of CKD.

What to eat when you have stage 1 or 2 chronic kidney disease

Diet and nutrition goals for people with stage 3 chronic kidney disease

Finding the right diet and nutrition solutions that work with your individual needs is important. In early CKD you can slow the progression and protect your kidneys by blood pressure control, blood glucose control and eating the healthiest way for the stage of CKD you are experiencing. Ask your doctor for a referral to a renal dietitian for additional help with your kidney diet.

Kidney diet resources from DaVita.com

• Review and rate recipes
• Discussion Forums
• Monthly Recipe Alerts
• DaVita Diet Helper
• Phosphorus Challenge^TM
• Food Analyzer
• DaVita Cookbooks

The beginning of a new year is a great time to assess and plan your food budget. When it comes to buying food for a kidney diet, some people express concern over spending more money on special products to help reduce sodium and phosphorus intake. For example, the low sodium version of canned tuna and canned veggies costs more than the regular salted canned products. Low sodium condiments like no salt added ketchup and low sodium salad dressings also carry a higher price tag, not to mention the probability of containing potassium chloride, a salt substitute that kicks up the potassium content. Read more…

May all your holiday wishes come true. I’m looking forward to sharing many more kidney diet tips with you in 2012. Tell me what you would like to know about.

DaVita Dietitian Sara Read more…

Cheese is a featured ingredient in this month’s DaVita recipe collection, Kidney-Friendly Cheesy Appetizers. Almost everyone likes cheese, but kidney patients are told to limit or even avoid it due to the phosphorus content. In addition, some cheeses are quite high in sodium. Read more…

I love holiday music, especially Carol of the Bells and My Favorite Things. I also love to discover new food products that are special because they’re only available this time of the year. I made a couple of ‘discoveries’ that could easily become favorite things from my local Trader Joe’s store this week (also available online).  I like shopping at TJ’s because they promise no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, no MSG and no trans fat. This means you can find kidney-friendly foods that are free of phosphate additives.

My first new holiday discovery is Speculoos Cookie Butter, described as “a deliciously unusual spread reminiscent of gingerbread and made with crushed biscuits”. Serving suggestions are to spread on pancakes, make cookie sandwiches, or use as a dip for celery or pretzels. Cookie Butter looks like a jar of peanut butter, spread smoothly like peanut butter, but the gingerbread-cinnamon-nutmeg flavor is out of this world! Because it’s free of nuts, the potassium and phosphorus are much lower than comparable nut spreads.  One tablespoon has 90 calories, 6 grams fat, 8 grams carbohydrate and less than 1 gram protein. In addition, the cholesterol and sodium are zero. Okay, you may need help with stopping at 1 tablespoon—but keep in mind moderation is important to feeling good throughout the holidays). Read more…

As the holidays quickly approach, it’s time to start planning holiday meals, appetizers for social events and friendly visits, and gifts from the kitchen. No need to stress over what to prepare for your kidney diet. DaVita dietitians have put together a collection of recipes, “DaVita Holiday Kidney Diet Delights” to make your holidays special and take away the worry about holiday eating.

The Eats and Drinks collection includes several easy to make appetizers and drinks. Festive Feast includes kidney-friendly entrée and sides for the main event meal. Season’s Sweets features our favorite treats for holiday gifts or to serve over coffee with your holiday guests.  

Download your no-charge copy of DaVita Holiday Kidney Delights today at DaVita.com/cookbook to complete your holiday cooking while keeping it kidney-friendly. In addition, there are over 700 kidney diet recipes in the DaVita.com recipe section.

Happy Holiday Eating,  DaVita Dietitian Sara

Kidney diet resources from DaVita.com

• Review and rate recipes
• Discussion Forums
• Monthly Recipe Alerts
• DaVita Diet Helper
• Phosphorus Challenge^TM
• Food Analyzer
• DaVita Cookbooks

One of the best things about the winter holiday season is an opportunity to socialize more than usual.  Parties, potluck at work, holiday brunch and family get-togethers always include food and drink. For people with kidney disease, holiday eating presents more temptations and dietary challenges. Prepare yourself to stay on track by finding 3 or 4 must-have kidney-friendly holiday recipes for upcoming events.

I’ve selected several recipes from the DaVita.com collection for you to incorporate into your holiday collection. Read more…

My favorite holiday is almost here again. I’ll be traveling from California to Tennessee to visit family and friends, help prepare dishes for the family Thanksgiving meal and enjoy the leftovers throughout the weekend. Like anyone following a special diet I’m already thinking about how to balance eating foods I love while controlling carbs, fats and calories, my most important diet issues. Read more…

We’ve all heard nutritionists promote health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, often by comparing the benefits to produce colors. ‘Eat the rainbow’, ‘Taste a rainbow of fruits and vegetables’ are used to remind us about produce benefits. Even if you are on a kidney diet limiting your potassium, it’s still important to eat a variety and include allowed portions of lower potassium fruits and vegetables each day. Read more…

Halloween is almost here again, along with cooler nights and breezy days. For many, October 31st marks the beginning of holiday eating and diet temptations. It’s time to devise a plan to help you stick to your kidney diet despite the chocolate covered nuts and other goodies that may tempt you. Your goal may be to prevent weight gain, keep diabetes in control, maintain normal potassium or phosphorus levels or to simple eat healthy. Read more…