Salt

[NilsB]

Seeing two doctors about my kidneys, one for the stones and one for CKD. The other day, I saw the one who is focused on the stones and before leaving he said 'hydrate, minimise salt intake, and stay away from spinach and bamboo shoots'. I asked him about protein as I have CKD. He said 'You don't have CKD'. I then asked 'whst about my Creatinine?' He then went quiet, possibly remembering that I have CKD. I left, but upon leaving reföected on how he seemed to give very stamdardised advice and this led me to wonder about some of the things he said. I will only ask one question here and that is about salt. Salt is tied to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is tied to kidney damage. However, if blood pressure is normal, need salt still be avoided? Is salt dangerous for kidney patients for reasons other than elevated blood pressure?

[Darlenia]

Hi NilsB. Simply check your labs regarding your sodium level. If it's in the normal range, then you're fine. Sodium, among others such as chloride and magnesium and more, are electrolytes. Electrolytes should be kept in the normal range for optimum body function including heart performance. High sodium levels, on the other hand, increases calcium levels which can then trigger kidney stones. Electrolytes are always checked in blood draws so they're readily available to check and study.

[NilsB in reply to Darlenia]

Thank you very much. I cannot remember exact Sodium levels now but to my knowledge they have never been high. Thanks for the input. Sad that he would give such stamdardised advice instead of looking at me specifically. I remember when the stones finally passed last time that he didn't care to analyse them either.

[Darlenia in reply to NilsB]

I found out the hard way about low sodium. My sodium and chloride levels were outside normal (low) parameters. I wound up with an erratic heartbeat, shimmering vision, weird dreams, extreme fatigue, etc. I literally passed out in a restaurant (3 times in quick succession, don't remember any of it). I was nearly hospitalized. Suspect low electrolytes can lead to sudden death. It can definitely lead to loss of a driver's license. Always wise to keep a good eye on your labs.

[jodaer]

Good advice but am I correct in thinking that if one has high BP that would not apply?

[NilsB in reply to jodaer]

If you have high blood pressure, you should not have a high salt intake, as per my understanding.

[RoxanneKidney]

Just remember that normal intake is probably well below what the average American consumes in a day by not thinking about it.

[NilsB in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Right you are and here in Thailand fish sauce and MSG are commonplace.

[Sparker88]

I have normal blood pressure and was still told to avoid salt. The reason is my nephrologist says it leads to inflammation of the kidney (regardless of blood pressure) which increases protein spillage. It may also depend on the type of CKD. Mine is autoimmune. Someone posted a really helpful video of their nephrologist talking about diet at a medical conference a month or two ago. I’d look through the posts for it. It was very interesting.

[NilsB in reply to Sparker88]

Thank you Sparker88

[RhenDutchess123]

Salt is also dehydrating...which is hard on kidneys and other organs

[NilsB in reply to RhenDutchess123]

True, but I don't eat a lot and do hydrate frequently. I think I got my first kidney stones because I was training hard without proper rehydration.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Avoiding salt also helps with edema. When CKD progresses you are more apt to have problems with swelling in your feet, ankles, hands, face, etc. Avoiding your salt intake will help with this.

[NilsB in reply to WYOAnne]

Thank you Anne. No swelling as yet, but good to keep in mind. So much is coming up here that people with CKD may benefit from. Good topic it seems.

[sparkie88]

No salt is not dangerous to humans it is a necessary nutrient however too much and too little can cause your heart to malfunction or fail.The American heart association recommend 850mg to 1500mg per day

unless your Dr recommend lower . If you cut out salt totally your adrenals can malfunction and cause high blood pressure crisis which will lead to organ damage and in unfortunate cases death from heart failure also if your egfr is above 60 it is not CKD yet unless you have physical kidney damage or injury protein in urine so in the early stages from 1 to 3 it is not the kidney to focus but the heart do heart healthy stuffs and your kidney will benefit

[NilsB in reply to sparkie88]

Thank you. I do try to stay fit but have high total cholesterol. Decent ratios, but too high.