BUN levels along with creatinine levels can tell how well your kidneys are functioning.High BUN levels mean reduced renal function and kidney damage.Some foods should be avoided with high BUN levels.
Urea nitrogen is the byproduct of proteins in body and is filtered out by kidneys normally.A normal range for blood urea nitrogen is generally 8 to 24mg/dL for adult men(2.86 to 8.57mmol/L) and 6 to 21mg/dL(2.14 to 7.50 mmol/L) for adult women.Because of compensatory capacity of kidneys,BUN levels do not increase untile more than half of renal function is lost.
High BUN levels indicate serious kidney damage.Therefore,the patients not only should avoid foods which can raise BUN levels,but also should eat more foods which can improve renal function.
Foods to protect and improve renal function
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants which can help neutralize free radicals and protect kidney cells.Such fruits include grapes, cranberries and blueberries; vegetables include fennel,beets,spinach,string beans and asparagus.The patients should make sure the fruits and vegetables are low in potassium.
Olive oil
Olive oil is a great source of oleic acid, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. It can help relieve the inflammation in kidneys to slow kidney fibrosis process.
Foods to avoid with high BUN levels
Foods loaded in proteins
For Kidney Disease patients with high BUN levels, the patients are recommended to limit how much protein they eat.This is because foods high in protein can increase the production of urea nitrogen.Increased levels of urea nitrogen can make the kidneys work harder and may cause more kidney damage.
High-sodium foods
High-sodium foods should be avoided with high BUN levels.Too much sodium can cause swelling and raise blood pressure.This can damage kidneys more.
Phosphorus and potassium
Regular blood work test should be done for patients with kidney problem. If phosphorus and potassium levels are higher than normal,the patients should avoid eating foods high in phosphorus and potassium.
The above are some recommended foods and some foods to avoid with high BUN levels. As the illness condition varies from person to person, an individualized diet is needed based on your condition.
