According to information from the medical website Medline Plus, uremia (otherwise known as prerenal azotemia) is characterized by the presence of high levels of nitrogen waste products within the bloodstream. The kidneys are normally responsible for filtering waste products from the blood, so uremia is an indication that the kidneys are unable to perform as expected. A low-protein diet can help remove strain from the kidneys, improving the condition.
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Low-Protein Diet
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Consume a low-protein diet to mitigate impending kidney failure once you are diagnosed with uremia. According to information from a study published in the journal Kidney International, a diet consisting of roughly 0.3g of protein per kg of body weight daily can improve symptoms in individuals suffering from uremia. Note that one kg is 2.2 lbs., so that means a 200-lb. individual would be limited to just under 30g of protein per day, an incredibly low amount.
To meet this goal, remove nearly all sources of meat and dairy from your diet, as these high-protein items can easily push you over the threshold. Instead of protein, consume a diet high in carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and high in fat from unsaturated sources such as all types of nuts, seeds, oils, and fat-containing fruit like avocados and coconuts. To assist you in your low-protein efforts, consider picking up a vegetarian cookbook for menu ideas to comply with your new style of living.
Considerations
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Remember that although you will be keeping protein low, you must replace those missing calories in your diet with either carbs or fat to avoid unwanted weight loss. When substituting macronutrients, 1g of protein has four calories, which is the same as a gram of carbohydrates. A gram of fat, however, contains nine calories, so be cautious with your fat for protein substitutions lest you inadvertently consume far more calories than you think.
It might help to keep a food journal at first, both to track calories and to track the total g of protein you consume throughout the day. Remember to count trace g of protein from the foods in your diet, as many of the foods recommended above contain a small amount of protein per serving that could easily tip you over your limit if you are not careful.
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