There are several reasons that you should be making sure that you get the right amount of protein. First, protein is the way that you build lean muscle mass. Protein also is one of the most important components of all the living cells in the body. It is used by the body to create enzymes and hormones that are used for digestion and metabolism, ovulation and even sleep. It helps to fight infections and heal wounds and is a major source of energy in the body. It helps to balance the fluid level in the body as well.
There are two sources of protein including animal products and plant-based protein sources. Some of the most common sources of animal protein include milk, cheeses, eggs, chicken, fish, turkey and other meat products. All of these types of protein are complete, having all of the amino acids that the body needs. Proteins themselves are made of amino acids, 20 in all. Of these, nine are considered to be essential because the body is unable to create them on its own.
Plant proteins, with the exception of soy and soy products such as miso, tempeh and tofu, are incomplete because they are missing one or more of the essential amino acids. Plant proteins are generally lower in calories and are also lower in fat, especially saturated fat, and may be a healthier choice, especially for those kidney patients who are also interested in keeping their weight down.
Everyone has different protein needs based on their body size and makeup, their activity level and their health. For instance, you may have had to have a smaller amount of protein while you were in earlier stages of your kidney disease, but will have an increased amount of need because of the fact that dialysis drains the amount of this nutrient in your body. Those who are having peritoneal dialysis or those who have had a kidney transplant will have a higher amount of protein need, for instance.
Kidney disease is a very serious condition and requires that your body be as strong as possible. During this condition, it is also important to make sure that you are staying strong so that you can fight off any infections and illnesses. One of the parts of your treatment that you will have to deal with is frequent blood draws. There are many tests that are performed to make sure that you are doing well. One of these is a test for the level of albumin in your body.
Albumin is a type of protein that is checked for especially just before dialysis treatment. If there is not enough protein in the body, it can be very serious and can lead to weakness, slower healing time and a higher risk for infections. In addition, there are other problems that can be caused by the lack of protein in the body, especially for those who are in the end stage of renal disease.
There are several considerations that will need to be discussed, so it becomes very important for the patient to discuss protein and health needs with a dietician or nutritionist who can help them identify the foods that they need and which are best. The foods that the patient should eat should include the healthiest and leanest choices. Even if the patient is a vegetarian or a vegan, he or she can make sure to get enough healthy protein to stay strong and to fight off infection. In addition to the vegan food sources that they can use, there are protein supplements that can be used as well- including soy and rice protein powders, both of which are perfectly acceptable on a vegan diet plan. Some vegetarians still eat animal products such as milk, cheese and eggs and may have a smaller need for protein supplements than vegans do.
Opting for protein, no matter what type of source it is coming from, should be done with careful attention to its other nutrients, the calorie count and the amount of total fat that it has. Saturated fat can make a protein source less healthy than a similar sized item- so careful comparison is important.
Another fact to keep in mind is the amount of protein that is actually digestible in the foods that you eat. Eggs are considered to be the perfect protein food and are the standard against which all others are judged. All of the protein in an egg is actually used by the body. In addition to eggs or egg substitutes, there are egg protein powder supplements that can be used by the renal patient. It is a myth that they are not a healthy food source, and there is not nearly as much cholesterol in an egg as is imagined.
Turkey, especially roasted, skinless turkey breast, is one of the best lean sources of protein that can be included in the diet. Other poultry are also good sources of protein but can be higher in fat and calories. Another good source of protein and other beneficial nutrients is salmon and other cold water fatty fishes.
Why Supplementing Can be Difficult in the Renal Patient
While it is important to get the right amount of protein in the body, it is also important for the renal patient to get the right kind of protein and also to keep in mind the restrictions involved for liquids and other nutrients. Phosphorous and potassium are restricted and should be carefully monitored, for instance. Fluid restrictions are difficult to deal with and may make it even harder to find the right protein supplement. A protein supplement such as Profect from Protica is less than three fluid ounces in size but delivers a large amount of protein (25 grams per serving of 2.9 fluid ounces), more than any other protein supplement type of its kind in fact. In addition to a number of different flavors to choose from, there are different sizes of Profect to choose from.
Protein and Health: A Case Study
Dianne has been dealing with kidney disease for many years. During the second and third stages, she had to restrict the amount of protein that she was allowed to eat but only slightly. In the fourth stage of her disease, the amount of protein that she was allowed each day was even more greatly reduced. In the fifth stage, Dianne not only found out that she was going to need to start using dialysis treatment, but she also found that she was going to have to change the way that viewed her food choices. Her need for protein was now higher than it ever has been and she will probably need to supplement to make sure that she is getting the right amount in her daily diet. Profect is perfect for Dianne, especially the Blue Raspberry Swirl flavor, her favorite.
In addition to dealing with kidney disease, Dianne is having to deal with high blood pressure and is trying to keep her weight down. Because all three conditions are so linked together, using Profect is beneficial because it keeps her from feeling overly hungry through the day and helps keep her metabolism high as well.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright