The kidneys are the "filter" of the body, responsible for eliminating waste, while retaining the nutrients and electrolytes needed for tissues, as well as maintaining water balance. Once the kidneys are damaged, this process is disrupted: the body can lose too much water or vice versa, which causes weight changes.
When the kidney's filtering ability is impaired, excess water in the blood and tissue is not converted into urine but accumulates. Because 1 liter of water is equivalent to about 1 kg, just a few liters of extra storage is enough to significantly increase weight.
Not only liquid, minerals and electrolytes, which are beneficial such as potassium, sodium, phosphorus, etc., are also stagnant when the kidneys are no longer able to filter well. Excess or deficiency of these substances can change blood pressure, heart rate, and many other important functions. When they are out of balance, the body is prone to dehydration or dehydration.
During the stage of severe disease progression, the kidneys are almost unable to eliminate excess fluid, making fluid-induced weight gain noticeable, especially in the final stage of chronic kidney disease.
Weight gain due to kidney disease cannot be improved by changing the regular diet. Only when treatment improves kidney function or eliminates excess fluids by measures such as dialysis, can patients reduce the weight gain caused by water retention.
Although obesity is not a direct cause of kidney disease, it increases the risk of problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes - two leading factors leading to kidney damage. In addition, the disease can also stem from other factors such as gene mutations, infections, toxic exposure or poisoning.
sedentary lifestyle habits, unbalanced diet and unhealthy lifestyle all contribute to increasing the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, thereby indirectly harming the kidneys. Good control of blood sugar and blood pressure helps protect and improve kidney function over time. Weight loss may not have a direct impact on the kidneys, but it does have significant benefits for overall health.
For people with diabetes, high blood pressure or other diseases that increase the risk of kidney damage, doctors often recommend adjusting their diet and lifestyle to limit the progression of the disease.
