Diabetes and High Blood Pressure - To be cautious with your kidneys

According to information from the Malaysian Society of Nephrology, the most common types of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) are diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive nephropathy. Therefore, for individuals with diabetes and high blood pressure, it’s essential to be cautious in safeguarding their kidney health!

Controlling Blood Pressure:

1. Reduce Salt and Sodium Intake

Foods high in salt and sodium can lead to swelling, high blood pressure, and increase the burden on your kidneys. Individuals with kidney problems or those who are elderly should limit their daily salt intake to no more than 3 grams, which is about 6 teaspoons of salt a day. Foods with strong flavors, such as salted duck eggs, fermented bean curd, salted fish, and preserved vegetables, have high sodium content.

Processed foods like potato chips, luncheon meat, hot dogs, and canned foods often contain high levels of salt and should be consumed sparingly. It’s advisable to choose fresh ingredients with lower sodium content and avoid overly processed or canned foods. You can use spices like five-spice powder, black pepper, curry, rosemary, etc., as seasoning alternatives to salt.

2. Read Sodium Labels

For those with kidney issues, paying attention to the sodium content of foods is crucial. Sodium might appear on food labels under different names, such as sodium chloride or table salt. Ensure you can identify these names to better understand the sodium content in foods. Prioritize low-sodium foods: purchase items labeled as low-sodium or salt-free. A helpful tip is to drain the saltwater when opening canned foods, rinse them with fresh water a few times to reduce salt, and then proceed with cooking.

3. Adjust Your Lifestyle

Long-term improper diet and unhealthy habits, such as stress and insufficient sleep, can lead to high blood pressure, damaging the small blood vessels in the kidneys and accelerating kidney failure. Additionally, a lack of exercise can cause weight gain, slow down blood circulation, and lead to metabolic issues, all of which can negatively affect kidney function. Therefore, engage in regular exercise: moderate aerobic activities like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling can help control weight, improve blood circulation, and maintain kidney health.

Controlling Blood Sugar

When blood sugar levels remain consistently higher than normal, your kidneys bear an additional burden, which can damage the kidney glomeruli and affect kidney function. Hence, controlling high blood sugar is crucial for kidney health. Additionally, high blood sugar levels can lead to excessive thirst and frequent urination, increasing the risk of dehydration. To limit water intake and maintain kidney health, it is important to monitor your fluid intake and avoid consuming excessive amounts of caffeinated or sugary beverages. Some tips for limiting water intake include drinking water only when thirsty, choosing low-sodium beverages, and avoiding excessive consumption of salty foods. By keeping blood sugar levels under control and managing fluid intake, you can help protect your kidneys from potential damage.

1. Plan Your Carbohydrates

Create a daily dietary plan and ensure it includes an appropriate amount of carbohydrates, with a preference for complex carbohydrates like corn, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, whole grains, etc. These have higher fiber content and fewer refined sugars, leading to slower blood sugar spikes and stabilizing blood sugar levels.

2. Increase Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber can impact insulin secretion and sensitivity. It slows down the release of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, preventing sharp rises in blood sugar and fluctuations. Ensure you meet the recommended daily intake of 25-30 grams of dietary fiber. Consume high-fiber foods like mushrooms, vegetables, chia seeds, buckwheat, etc., to stabilize blood sugar.

3. Limit Refined Sugars

Reduce sugar intake from beverages, including soft drinks, packaged drinks, fruit juices, and energy drinks, which contain substantial amounts of refined sugar. Choose unsweetened or low-sugar beverages such as plain water, unsweetened tea, or coffee, and minimize the consumption of sugar-containing beverages. Many sauces contain hidden sugars, such as barbecue sauce, salad dressings, sweet sauces, chili sauce, etc., so be mindful of their usage.

In summary, a dietitian should develop a personalized dietary plan and monitor your progress based on your specific needs and circumstances. Good dietary and lifestyle habits can help maintain normal blood sugar and blood pressure levels, preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and safeguarding kidney health.