14. Proteinuria and Diet: The Nutritional Nuances
What does your plate have to do with your urinary health? More than you might think. Proteinuria isn’t just a result of medical conditions; it can also be influenced by your diet. Eating habits can play a surprising role in the development or exacerbation of proteinuria.
Take, for instance, a diet high in sodium. Sodium isn’t just table salt; it’s in almost every processed food we consume. Consuming too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which in turn can strain the kidneys. When the kidneys are strained, they might allow protein to pass into the urine.
Let’s delve deeper. Protein itself, when consumed in excessive amounts, can sometimes exacerbate proteinuria. While dietary protein is crucial for many bodily functions, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. An excess of protein can cause the kidneys to work overtime, potentially leading to protein leakage.
Ah, but it’s not all gloom and doom. Certain dietary components like omega-3 fatty acids found in fish have been studied for their potential to alleviate kidney stress, thereby reducing proteinuria. So, it’s not just what you avoid in your diet; it’s also about what you include. (14)
