Short Answer: Almonds are bad for CKD because they have high amounts of phosphorus and potassium and they can cause bone loss, heart problems, and kidney stones.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that affects your kidneys.
In CKD, your kidneys are damaged and cannot filter your blood 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 electrolytes, minerals, and fluids, which can impact your CKD symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage CKD, you should consume protein-rich foods like lean meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products and avoid phosphorus-rich foods like nuts, seeds, beans, and processed foods.
Now, almonds are a type of nut that are rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium.
People usually eat almonds as a snack or add them to salads, cereals, or desserts.
Almonds are bad for CKD because they contain high amounts of phosphorus and potassium.
Phosphorus and potassium are two minerals that your kidneys need to balance in your body.
However, when you have CKD, your kidneys cannot remove the excess phosphorus and potassium from your blood.
This can cause serious complications, such as bone loss, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and even death.
One ounce of almonds can give you 136 mg of phosphorus and 208 mg of potassium, which are 14% and 6% of your daily needs, respectively.
Phosphorus can negatively affect CKD by causing calcium to leach from your bones, making them weak and brittle.
It can also form deposits in your blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and heart, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Potassium can negatively affect CKD by causing your heart to beat irregularly or stop, which can be fatal. It can also cause muscle cramps, weakness, and numbness.
Furthermore, almonds are a plant-based protein and plant-based proteins are not recommended for CKD.
Because, plant-based proteins are usually accompanied by high amounts of phosphorus and potassium, which can worsen your kidney function.
That’s why I suggest you limit your almond intake to avoid high blood levels of phosphorus and potassium.
Stick to no more than 1 ounce or 23 almonds per day to minimize the risk of bone disease and heart problems.
Also, you shouldn’t eat almonds if you have high blood calcium levels or hypercalcemia to prevent kidney stones.
Because, almonds are high in calcium and oxalate, which can form crystals in your urine and cause painful stones.
You can buy fresh almonds in your local market or can order them from online.
Always choose unsalted and raw almonds, as salted and roasted almonds may have added sodium and phosphorus, which are harmful for CKD.
You can store them in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to a year.
Read Next
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.
