My kidney patients often ask me questions related to their daily diet and about the kinds of food they should include and the kinds of food they should avoid pertaining to their kidney disease.
In this article, I will explain “are eggs and extra virgin olive oil good or bad kidney disease?” and also the positives and negatives that are associated with them.
Are eggs good or bad for kidney disease?
Eggs have numerous benefits in general and can benefit the kidneys because of the essential nutrients present in eggs.
Benefits of eating eggs for kidney patients
Eggs are rich in HDL cholesterol which is also known as good cholesterol. HDL cholesterol will help the body in clearing the bad (LDL) cholesterol that can form plaque in the arteries leading to atherosclerosis.
Therefore, kidney patients suffering from elevated cholesterol might benefit from including eggs in their diet.
Eggs are also a rich source of antioxidants such as zeaxanthin and lutein which can play a protective role in protecting the kidney cells from oxidative stress damage.
Eggs also contain anti-inflammatory substances such as phospholipids which are known to reduce inflammation in the body.
Reducing inflammation in the body has numerous health benefits not only for kidney diseases but also for reducing the risk of any future cardiovascular disease.
The phospholipids in eggs can also improve the way your body breaks down dietary fat. For kidney patients looking to reduce inflammation, adding eggs to their diet can be beneficial.
Eggs are a rich source of protein. Protein is one of the most significant macronutrients needed by the body. In India, people who eat a plant-based diet are generally deficient in their protein intake.
Protein is needed by the body to build and maintain your muscle mass especially for the aging population since the older you get the harder it becomes to maintain the same level of muscle mass as before. Therefore, in that scenario, the consumption of protein should be optimal to minimize muscle wasting.
People suffering from kidney diseases, in some cases, may need to go on a low protein diet. However, not all kidney patients are required to do that. Therefore, depending on your kidney disease you can work with your doctor to include eggs in your diet.
Concerns while eating eggs for kidney patients
According to a study, consumption of eggs for people suffering from CKD does not pose any risk. In fact, the antioxidants present in eggs can play a protective role in maintaining the health of the kidneys.
However, it is prudent to check with your nephrologist before including eggs in your diet because in some kidney diseases, there might be a need to lower the amount of protein consumed. So you may need to limit the number of eggs you eat in your diet.
Is extra virgin olive oil good or bad for kidney disease?
The consumption of extra virgin olive oil does not have any direct benefits for people suffering from kidney diseases. However, it also does not pose any risk for kidney patients and can benefit those kidney patients who suffer from other metabolic illnesses along with their kidney disease.
Benefits of adding extra virgin oil for kidney patients
Kidney patients are often at risk for other diseases such as cardiovascular disease which is also one of the biggest causes of death in the world.
Consumption of extra virgin olive has shown to be beneficial for reducing any cardiovascular disease. The compounds present in extra virgin olive oil are helpful in playing a protective role by helping the body in regulating blood pressure and thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Therefore, for kidney patients also at risk for developing cardiovascular illnesses, including extra virgin oil can be a healthy choice.
People who suffer from kidney disease also commonly suffer from other metabolic diseases like hypertension or type 2 diabetes. It has been indicated that extra virgin oil can aid in improving the uptake of glucose thus improving the sensitivity of insulin because of the presence of its phenolic compounds.
Therefore, for kidney patients suffering from insulin resistance or full blown type 2 diabetes can benefit from adding extra virgin oil to their diet.
Concerns while adding extra virgin oil for kidney patients
Food cooked with extra virgin oil does not pose any threat for kidney patients as it does not contain any nutrients that can be considered harmful for the kidneys. Overall extra virgin oil can be a healthy addition to a kidney diet.
However, just because something is healthy that does not mean it is okay to over-consume it. Moderation is key and for kidney patients, it is always advisable to consult with your nephrologist or renal dietitian before you incorporate extra virgin oil in your diet safely.
Summary
Eggs contain numerous nutrients which are beneficial for the health of kidney patients. Because of its antiinflammatory properties and a good amount of HDL (good cholesterol) content. It can help the body in healing and playing a protective role against inflammation.
Eggs also contain all the essential amino acids that make up the protein in the body needed for various important functions such as maintaining optimal muscle mass.
Thus, eggs can be part of a kidney diet without any serious concerns. However, it’s best to keep your doctor in the loop before adding eggs to your kidney diet.
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in healthy fats and is closest to its natural form with little processing which makes it a healthy addition to not only a kidney diet but also to the general public.
Since extra virgin oil does not undergo heavy processing, it is not considered harmful to the kidneys and can be safely implemented in the diet.
