Understanding Sodium and Kidney Disease: What You Need to Know

What Happens When Your Kidneys Don't Work Properly?

The kidneys play an important role in maintaining the body's fluid balance and regulating sodium (salt) levels. Acting as filters, they remove waste products, excess sodium, and fluids from the bloodstream, ensuring that the body retains a healthy amount. When kidney function declines due to disease, their ability to filter sodium is damaged. This decline can have serious effects on the body.

Normally, excess sodium is excreted through urine (pee); however, in kidney disease, this process is damaged. As sodium builds-up in the body, it leads to water retention, putting extra strain on the cardiovascular system and leading to complications such as hypertension. Water follows salt. Salt is like a sponge that absorbs a lot of fluid.

One of the most visible consequences of this sodium and fluid retention is edema. Edema is the swelling in various parts of the body, such as the legs, ankles, and even around the lungs. This swelling occurs because the body holds onto the excess fluid that cannot be adequately removed. In more severe cases, fluid may also seep into the lungs, resulting in pulmonary congestion. This fluid buildup hampers the ability of the lungs to exchange oxygen effectively, often leading to shortness of breath and discomfort when engaging in physical activities.

Why Sodium is Not All Bad: The Balance We Need

Sodium plays a vital role in maintaining the body's normal processes, making it an essential mineral. It is crucial for fluid balance, helping to regulate blood pressure and supporting the function of muscles and nerves. The human body requires sodium in small amounts, and exceeding the necessary intake can lead to health complications.

For individuals without kidney disease, the body efficiently manages sodium levels, effectively removing excess through urine. However, in those with kidney disease, this balance is disrupted. The kidneys struggle to filter the excess sodium, increasing the risk of hypertension and fluid retention. It is important to monitor your sodium intake. However, sodium is not “evil;” too low of an intake can also lead to bad health consequences and possibly even erratic blood pressure.

Understanding the difference between adequate sodium levels and harmful excess sodium intake is very important. A balanced approach is actually very important. For those with kidney concerns, please consult healthcare professionals to establish an appropriate sodium intake. Recognizing the fine line between beneficial sodium intake and the dangers of going overboard can guide individuals towards maintaining health. This balance is particularly crucial in the context of kidney disease, where dietary choices must be made carefully. Therefore, sodium can be an ally when consumed carefully, rather than treated solely as a culprit.

Flavouring your Food

Now that you know that a sodium controlled diet is important, it is important to consider flavouring. Let’s be honest, it’s difficult to make extremely bland food a long-term lifestyle. Carefully planning your spices and herbs can enhance meals while promoting healthier eating habits. Below is a list of flavouring as well as tips and tricks to make your life easier.

First, consider garlic powder and onion powder. Both spices are versatile and can be added to savory dishes such as soups, stews, and roasts to provide a deep, aromatic flavor. Additionally, smoked paprika delivers a rich smoky essence that pairs wonderfully with grilled vegetables and meats. Another excellent choice is cumin, known for its warm, earthy profile, making it ideal for spice blends or as a seasoning in bean dishes and curries. Make sure to avoid garlic salt and onion salt as these are very high in sodium.

Herbs like basil, thyme, and oregano can be used fresh or dried to impart a vibrant freshness to dishes. They can enhance pasta sauces, dressings, and roasted vegetables without the need for sodium. Cilantro and parsley can also brighten the flavor of salads and salsas, while rosemary adds a robust note to roasted meats and potatoes. Some herbs can be high in potassium, make sure to only use 1 tsp of dried herbs and only ¼ cup of fresh herbs in your food if you are following a potassium restriction.

Spicy food is safe to consume with kidney disease. Consider incorporating chili powder or cayenne pepper. Be careful with spicy seasonings as they can have a lot of added sodium. These spices can elevate the flavour of grain dishes, stews, or homemade dips. If you crave a hint of sweetness, cinnamon can be an unexpected yet delicious addition to savoury stews.

Sour flavours are good to emphasize on a low sodium diet. Make foods such as hot and sour soups. Lemon is a great addition to many dishes and can be tasty and easy on the kidneys. Foods such as tamarind also have a lot of sour flavour (although tamarind paste is high potassium, only use small amounts).

Another good tip is to make your own spice packets. If you choose to eat something quick, like instant noodles, for example, have your own spice mix ready to add to it. Either throw the high sodium packet in the garbage, or add only ¼ package to your dish and then fill the rest of the flavour with sodium-free spices.

It’s also important to note that a sodium allowance is a daily allowance. If you follow a restriction, you can eat at restaurants and fast-food places once in a while if you desire. Just note that a large or even medium meal is probably your whole daily value of sodium. This means that the rest of your daily food needs to be extremely bland to give your body a chance to regulate the high sodium meal.

Lastly, it is important to be careful of medium sodium foods such as bread. If you eat a lot of medium sodium foods, it becomes a lot. I suggest eating any medium sodium food in moderation and with individualized advice from your healthcare team.