Kidney Function

Nutritional considerations form an integral part in the care of a patient with kidney disease because of the kidney’s central role in dietary metabolism. Not only can dietary manipulations ameliorate the signs and symptoms of kidney disease, but they also form an important adjunct of therapy regardless of the degree of decrease in kidney function. Whether the patient has chronic kidney disease (CKD) not yet requiring dialysis therapy, is undergoing renal replacement therapy, or has received a kidney transplant, timely and appropriate nutritional intervention can optimize patient care and outcomes. Last, nutritional markers, such as serum albumin, are highly predictive of morbidity and mortality and further emphasize the importance of nutritional concerns in the management of patients with kidney disease.