NUTRITION

Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a significant impact on the dietary needs. Malnutrition, i.e. the result of inadequate energy and protein intake that could alter negatively the body shape and function is usual in patients with CKD.

The main reasons for this phenomenon are:

1. The alterations in taste due to the increased levels of urea in the blood can limit the appetite and subsequently the food intake
2. The dietary advice often include restrictions in salt intake that limits the palatability of food
3. For patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis there are significant losses in nutrients during the procedure, especially in proteins and water soluble vitamins, which have a negative impact on the nutritional status.
4. CKD is a disease that increases energy needs of the patients

In order to early detect and treat malnutrition nutritional screening with the help of the medical team is of paramount importance. In cases where malnutrition is detected, nutritional assessment will empower the medical nutrition team to take all the measures in order to provide the appropriate mode of nutritional support for the optimal results in every stage of CKD.