Your kidneys are among the most vital organs in your body. They extract extra fluids from the blood, maintain an appropriate balance of minerals in the blood, help the body maintain a healthy blood pressure and create hormones that keep your blood and bones healthy. If you have only one kidney, you may need to change your lifestyle and diet.
As the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse notes, having a single kidney can lead to high blood pressure and extra protein in the urine. It also can reduce your glomerular filtration rate, meaning the single kidney does not filter the wastes in the blood as well as two kidneys. Having only one kidney doesn't mean you must follow a specific diet, but making healthy choices overall is important.
A balanced and healthy diet reduces the strain on the single kidney. The goal is to keep a proper balance of electrolytes, minerals and fluids in the bloodstream. Symptoms of an improper diet can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weakness, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
The National Kidney Foundation recommends that single-kidney patients reduce their sodium intake, because excessive levels of sodium can cause fluid buildup in the blood. High levels of potassium and phosphorus also are problematic, because a single kidney can have difficulty filtering out the excess in the blood. High levels of phosphorus in the bloodstream prompt your body to pull calcium from your bones, which weakens them and makes them more likely to break.
Having only one kidney generally doesn't mean you need to make drastic changes in your life. You can still exercise and play sports. In fact, doing so is recommended, since exercise helps control blood pressure. Eating a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and dairy products also is recommended. Eating foods from all the food groups can help your single kidney filter the waste materials in your bloodstream more efficiently.
Don't add salt to your food, since doing so will cause sodium buildup in your bloodstream. Pay attention to your water and fluid intake: Your body needs two to three liters of water a day to help filter out unwanted toxins. Boil your vegetables and fruits to reduce their potassium levels. To reduce phosphorus in the bloodstream, avoid consuming soda, beer, milk and cheese.
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