Diet with one Kidney

adman said:

Plant-based diet....

I, too, believe that this is the key. I'm trying to move in this direction and have seriously limited my 'direct' protein intake. Trying to get it from non-meat sources. Some wild salmon, more veggies, whole grains, berries on oatmeal ( although instant - but organic ). No 'direct' dairy or non-dairy creamer.

I lost 60 lbs last year on a 'higher' protein diet. I ate a lot of veggies and used a lot of good olive oil. Although, I'm now reading that olive oil may not be as good for us as we have been led to believe.

I had my first appt with a neph DR last week and he said higher protein doets aren't bad if my GFR stays where it currently is ( 67 ). He said there is no empirical evidence to support these theories. Who knows what to believe.

adman said:

Plant-based diet....

I went on a much 'lower' carb diet, nothing specific, using a plant-based vegan protein powder every morning with fruit to make a shake. I also ate protein bars and a sensible salad with wild salmon, veggies, etc.

I'll have to hunt for the link to the story on olive oil. I've been reading about inflammation and some who think 'oils' may contribute to disease. So much for the Mediterranean diet.

adman said:

Med Diet

There are lots of stories out there on the risks of too much oil in a diet. Google it.
I'll keep looking for the specific story I read.

Texas_wedge said:

Oils
Please do.

There is a world of difference between the innumerable oils one can have in one's diet. David Servan-Schreiber's 'anticancer' book and video are highly informative. If you haven't watched the magnificent 1 1/2 hour video on YouTube, courtesy of MD Anderson, I urge you to do so. It's entitled ANTICANCER: a new way of life and I think it's mandatory for all cancer sufferers, as is a good dip into the site of another great man now lost to us - Steve Dunn.

Texas_wedge said:

Oils
Please do.

There is a world of difference between the innumerable oils one can have in one's diet. David Servan-Schreiber's 'anticancer' book and video are highly informative. If you haven't watched the magnificent 1 1/2 hour video on YouTube, courtesy of MD Anderson, I urge you to do so. It's entitled ANTICANCER: a new way of life and I think it's mandatory for all cancer sufferers, as is a good dip into the site of another great man now lost to us - Steve Dunn.

Texas_wedge said:

Eat, drink and be merry
Eliezer2 - how did you get right up there between 22/7/2011 and 16/2/2010? [European date format!]

I think the advice you've had is not the whole story. Maybe it was to combat paranoia about your new condition - people can go over the top with anxiety about post nephrectomy lifestyle. It's true that drinking plenty of fluids is important (and that can include tea and coffee) and that moderate alcohol consumption is OK (always given no other relevant conditions). But diet is very important nonetheless. A LITTLE of what you fancy does you good and being obsessive is bad. However, a balanced diet with emphasis on fruit and veg, pulses and grains and not too much animal protein is a good idea. Avoidance of processed meats and lowest possible salt intake are mandatory, in my book.

I continue to believe the 'anticancer' video is very helpful.

ejneary said:

Dietician and Nephrologist Suggestions
In February, I had a radical right nephrecotmy to remove am 8CM RCC.

Since then, I have seen a dietician and a nephrologist. The following is a list of things that I was told through these visits:

The primary things to be concerned with as far as kidney health are

1. Blood pressure (Should be as low as possible) so reduce sodium (2-3G/day max)
2. Protein 1G/KG/day OR 1G/2.2lbs/day

So, if you are 165lbs, you can have a max of 75 grams of protein FROM ALL SOURCES

3. AVOID NSAI's (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Alieve)

Those were the big three from the Nephrologist.


The Nutritionist had the following advice:


In addition to lowering sodium and protein, you have to add high calorie foods to retain your weight. These include fats/oils, fruit juices and dried fruits. These will help replace the intake of calories from the elimination of protein and meats.

Foods to choose from the guide:

Milk: Fresh Whole or lowfat, 1/2 cup has 4 grams of protein

Meat: All types, Lean 7 grams of protein per ounce

Eggs: 1 egg equivalent to 1 ounce of lean meat 7 grams protein

Cheese: Same as meats, 1 ounce cheese has 7 grams protein

Beans: 1/2 Cup

Nuts: 1/4 Cup

other foods to eat...


Fruits (from 0 to 5 grams per 1/2 cup serving depening on fruit)

Other sources of protein are in breads as follows:

the following are worth 2 grams of protein each:

1 slice of bread
1/2 bagel
1/2 hamburger bun
1/2 english muffin
4 medium bread sticks
5 low sodium crackers
and the list goes on. This can be found online...

Vegtables contain some protein but they are generally low in protein which is a great reason to start eating more of them as they have lots of benefit, health wise, and you can eat more without going over the protein limit. Same with fruit.

The bottom line is stated above in the list of things to avoid, salt, lot of protein and NSAID drugs.

I have a pamphlet that talks about dietary needs if anyone would like a copy, i can scan it in and email...

Good luck!!!

John

ejneary said:

Dietician and Nephrologist Suggestions
In February, I had a radical right nephrecotmy to remove am 8CM RCC.

Since then, I have seen a dietician and a nephrologist. The following is a list of things that I was told through these visits:

The primary things to be concerned with as far as kidney health are

1. Blood pressure (Should be as low as possible) so reduce sodium (2-3G/day max)
2. Protein 1G/KG/day OR 1G/2.2lbs/day

So, if you are 165lbs, you can have a max of 75 grams of protein FROM ALL SOURCES

3. AVOID NSAI's (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Alieve)

Those were the big three from the Nephrologist.


The Nutritionist had the following advice:


In addition to lowering sodium and protein, you have to add high calorie foods to retain your weight. These include fats/oils, fruit juices and dried fruits. These will help replace the intake of calories from the elimination of protein and meats.

Foods to choose from the guide:

Milk: Fresh Whole or lowfat, 1/2 cup has 4 grams of protein

Meat: All types, Lean 7 grams of protein per ounce

Eggs: 1 egg equivalent to 1 ounce of lean meat 7 grams protein

Cheese: Same as meats, 1 ounce cheese has 7 grams protein

Beans: 1/2 Cup

Nuts: 1/4 Cup

other foods to eat...


Fruits (from 0 to 5 grams per 1/2 cup serving depening on fruit)

Other sources of protein are in breads as follows:

the following are worth 2 grams of protein each:

1 slice of bread
1/2 bagel
1/2 hamburger bun
1/2 english muffin
4 medium bread sticks
5 low sodium crackers
and the list goes on. This can be found online...

Vegtables contain some protein but they are generally low in protein which is a great reason to start eating more of them as they have lots of benefit, health wise, and you can eat more without going over the protein limit. Same with fruit.

The bottom line is stated above in the list of things to avoid, salt, lot of protein and NSAID drugs.

I have a pamphlet that talks about dietary needs if anyone would like a copy, i can scan it in and email...

Good luck!!!

John

PiperPilot said:

Vegan diet and additional supplements are both essential
Two years ago (May 2010) I had a left kidney nephrectomy due to a tumor, "the size of a grapefruit" being discovered inside it. The biopsy showed I had chromophobe cells. At that time there was no other cancer found in me. Subsequent CT scans done every 4 months were clear until this past July - when mets were found at the base of my spine (sacrum) and on my left femur (thigh).

At that point I immediately went "mostly" vegan - that is, absolutely no meat (with the exception of some fish) and no diary products. I also began a regime of taking over 16 natural nutritional/anti-inflammatory/anti-cancer/hormonal supplements. Details of this approach are outlined in the book: "Life Over Cancer" by Dr. Keith I. Block. I highly recommend reading it. I also recommend looking into what the Block Integrative Cancer Center in Skokie, IL is doing. [No, I am not on their payroll. Nor do I sell any supplements, etc.]

However, I can tell you my own anecdotal testimonial about using supplements and changing my diet. Before I started taking these supplements I was in almost constant pain. I was walking with a slight limp and I could not walk up the stairs "normally" (I could only manage one step at a time). I could only control a constant dull, throbbing pain in my left thigh by taking the maximum dosage of Ibuprofen (400mg) every 6 hours. And even that would fail occasionally. However, a few days after I began following this supplement regime the pain started to recede. Soon I was able to stop taking any Ibuprofen at all. I became completely pain-free and have been ever since. That was over 2 months ago.

I also began taking Sutent (Sunitinib) over four weeks ago (50mg/day - 4wks on/2wk off). I had only one side effect from it. In the 3rd week I lost my sense of taste. But I attribute the fact that this was the only side effect I suffered both to taking supplements daily and to the (mostly) vegan diet that I adopted. BTW, the folks at the Block Integrative Cancer Center also suggested a supplement to take for this: 20-30grams of L-Glutamine mixed in water 2X/day. In a few days I got about 90% of my normal taste back. Right now I am in the middle of my 2wk break from Sutent so all taste is totally back to normal.

Just read the book: http://www.lifeovercancer.com/

I am happy to share the actual supplements I am taking. I am also taking a natural anti-angiogenic extract called TBL-12/Sea Cucumber. Go here and download the angiogenic research article about it: http://sea-cucumber.com/. It is now in a Phase II Clinical trial. [No, I am not on the payroll of these folks either.]

Thanks Piper for your story. I am still trying to get over losing my left kidney last year.