Protein

A Word About Protein

Protein is a nutrient required for growth, repair of muscle, and to fight infections. If you have kidney disease, your doctor may have recommended that you limit the amount of protein that you eat. The reason for this is that when your body digests protein, a waste product called urea is produced. If your kidney function is not normal, urea can build up in the bloodstream and cause appetite loss and fatigue. Some studies have demonstrated that following a lower protein diet may help protect kidney function by reducing the workload on the kidneys so that the remaining healthy part of the kidney does not have to work so hard.

Sources of protein include chicken, fish, eggs, beef, legumes, dairy, nuts and peanut butter.

* Please note that a protein-restricted diet is not appropriate for all patients, for all stages of kidney disease, or for all medical conditions. Please consult with your doctor before initiating a low protein diet.

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