What is a common dietary restriction for patients on dialysis?

Patients on dialysis commonly face dietary restrictions due to the limitations of their kidney function, which can lead to the accumulation of certain substances in the body. Among these, potassium and phosphorus are particularly significant. The kidneys play a critical role in regulating the levels of these electrolytes, and when kidney function is impaired, as it is in patients undergoing dialysis, they can become elevated in the blood.

High levels of potassium can lead to serious cardiac issues, while excessive phosphorus can result in bone disease and cardiovascular complications. Therefore, a common dietary recommendation for these patients is to limit their intake of foods high in potassium and phosphorus. This helps maintain a balance and prevent potential complications related to electrolyte imbalance.

In contrast, high protein intake is often encouraged to help patients maintain their nutritional status, especially since dialysis can remove some protein from the body. Limiting sodium is also commonly recommended to help manage blood pressure and fluid retention, but it is the restriction of potassium and phosphorus that is particularly critical due to their direct impact on health in this population. Increasing fluid intake is usually advised against since many dialysis patients are on restricted fluid allowances to prevent fluid overload.