Approximately 30-40% of people with diabetes may experience kidney complications over time. Worryingly, this process often progresses silently, making it difficult to detect early.
Meanwhile, diet plays a huge role. Proper dietary adjustments can slow the progression of kidney damage. Conversely, eating incorrectly can accelerate disease progression, according to the health website Healthline (USA).
Many people with diabetes focus only on reducing sugar intake, neglecting other factors such as protein, salt, phosphorus, and fat. To reduce the risk of kidney damage, people with diabetes should avoid the following mistakes in their diet:
Eating too much protein
Protein is an essential nutrient for the body. However, consuming too much, especially from red meat and processed meat, can harm the kidneys. When digesting protein, the body produces waste products such as urea and ammonia. The kidneys have to work harder to filter them out. This increases pressure on the glomeruli, leading to long-term kidney damage.
The issue isn't about completely eliminating protein, but rather controlling intake and prioritizing healthy protein sources. These include fish, beans, or plant-based sources like mushrooms, almonds, and chia seeds.
Eating too much salt
A high-salt diet is one of the most obvious risk factors for kidney disease, especially in people with diabetes. Salt is rich in sodium. Sodium causes the body to retain water, increasing blood volume and consequently raising blood pressure. This increases pressure on the glomeruli, making the kidneys more susceptible to damage.
Eat plenty of foods rich in phosphorus.
Phosphorus is an essential mineral for the body. However, consuming too much, especially from processed foods, can be harmful to the kidneys. Unlike naturally occurring phosphorus in food, phosphorus from additives is absorbed almost completely, causing a rapid increase in blood phosphorus levels. High phosphorus levels contribute to kidney tissue damage and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Lack of fiber
Fiber is often overlooked but is crucial for kidney protection. A low-fiber diet disrupts the balance of the gut microbiome, which in turn indirectly affects kidney function.
When the microbiome is disrupted, the body produces more metabolic toxins. These substances are then filtered out by the kidneys. This increases the burden on the kidneys and stimulates inflammation in the kidneys, according to Healthline.