Short Answer: Eggs are good for CKD. Because they have high-quality protein, choline, and other nutrients that can benefit kidney function, muscle mass, and heart health.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that affects your kidneys, which are the organs that filter waste and excess fluid from your blood.
In CKD, your kidneys are damaged over time and lose their ability to function properly.
This can lead to various health problems, such as high blood pressure, anemia, bone disease, and cardiovascular disease.
One of the key factors in managing CKD is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood pressure, blood sugar, electrolytes, and waste levels, which can impact your CKD symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage CKD, you should consume protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and fluid in moderation, depending on your stage of CKD and your individual needs.
You should also eat foods that are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fish.
Now, eggs are a type of animal protein that come from chickens.
People usually eat them boiled, scrambled, fried, or as an ingredient in other dishes.
Eggs are good for CKD because they contain high-quality protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass and preventing malnutrition.
Eggs also contain choline, which is a nutrient that helps regulate homocysteine levels and may lower the risk of heart disease.
Eggs are also a source of vitamin A, vitamin B12, selenium, and lutein, which are important for eye health, immune function, and antioxidant defense.
One large egg can give you about 6 grams of protein, 186 milligrams of cholesterol, 70 calories, and 5 grams of fat.
It also provides 8% of the daily value (DV) of vitamin A, 23% of the DV of vitamin B12, 28% of the DV of selenium, and 220 micrograms of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Protein can help preserve kidney function and prevent muscle wasting, but too much protein can also increase the workload of the kidneys and worsen kidney damage.
Cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in people with CKD.
Fat can provide energy and essential fatty acids, but too much fat can also raise blood cholesterol levels and cause weight gain.
Furthermore, eggs are a type of animal protein and animal protein is good for CKD.
Because, animal protein has a higher biological value than plant protein, which means it contains all the essential amino acids that the body needs.
Animal protein also has less potassium and phosphorus than plant protein, which are minerals that need to be limited in people with CKD.
You can eat 1-2 eggs per day safely, as long as you limit your total protein intake to the recommended amount for your stage of CKD and your body weight.
More than that can cause high blood cholesterol levels, increased proteinuria, and accelerated kidney damage.
Also, you shouldn’t eat eggs if you have an egg allergy or intolerance, to prevent allergic reactions or digestive problems.
Because, eggs contain proteins that can trigger an immune response or cause inflammation in some people.
You can buy fresh eggs in your local market or can order them from online.
Always choose eggs that are organic, free-range, or omega-3 enriched, if possible.
Because, these eggs may have higher nutritional quality, lower environmental impact, and better animal welfare than conventional eggs.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing CKD effectively.
I always recommend my CKD patients to follow a CKD-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.