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"Ouch, I said Lao Zhang, your legs and feet are very neat, and you run faster than a rabbit, why did this happen suddenly?" Neighbors were in the hallways of the hospital, whispering.
Uncle Zhang, 62 years old, is a well-known health expert in the community. He is thin and goes out for a run on time every day, never stopping. In addition to this, he is a retired middle school history teacher and is obsessed with health almost to the point of obsession. However, it is unbelievable that such a person with a regular life and a light diet died of uremia.
Although Uncle Zhang has a light diet, he has a little-known habit: he is keen on a high-protein diet. He is a firm believer that high protein can help maintain muscle mass, which is especially important for the elderly. Eat plenty of eggs, milk, and chicken breasts every day anyway, and sometimes even eat protein powder directly for protein.
During a chance physical examination, the doctor found that Uncle Zhang's kidney function indicators were not satisfactory. Despite this, Uncle Zhang did not make much adjustments in his diet and still insisted on his high-protein diet. "What's so bad about having too much protein? Isn't it said that the elderly have serious muscle loss, and supplementing more protein can fight aging? Uncle Zhang always replied like this.
It's not that simple. A high-protein diet is indeed good for maintaining muscle mass, but for people with renal insufficiency, excessive protein intake can increase the burden on the kidneys, leading to accelerated deterioration of the condition. Doctors have emphasized this many times, but Uncle Zhang doesn't seem to care too much, he believes more in his lifestyle and experience.
"The kidneys are an important detoxification organ in the body, disposing of waste and excess substances in the body. When too much protein is consumed, the kidneys need to break down the amino acids in the protein and dispose of the nitrogen waste produced. For people with unsound kidney function, this additional burden can lead to a further decline in kidney function. This is the doctor's explanation.
And for high-protein diet enthusiasts like Uncle Zhang, especially among the elderly with chronic conditions, doctors recommend consuming moderate, high-quality protein and adjusting it according to their own health status.
His kidney function deteriorated, eventually leading to the development of uremia. Before he died, doctors and his family tried many times to persuade him to change his eating habits, but unfortunately, no change occurred.
Uncle Zhang's case caused a big shock in the community, because he has always been considered a model of health. His example illustrates that even a seemingly healthy lifestyle can hide health risks if not properly adjusted.
In numerous community talks, doctors have emphasized that high-protein diets may be an effective strategy to improve performance and recovery in young adults and athletes, but excessive protein intake can be a risk for older adults, especially those with or at risk of kidney disease.
"You know, kidney disease develops very insidiously, and many times by the time you feel the symptoms, the condition can be quite serious." The doctor explained in the lecture that he hopes to raise people's awareness of healthy diet adjustment through Uncle Zhang's case.
When it comes to kidney health management, doctors recommend a diversified nutritional intake strategy, including a balanced intake of moderate protein, more fiber, and a small amount of salt and other minerals. This not only protects the kidneys, but also maintains overall physical health.
Doctors also point out that even healthy elderly people should have regular kidney function tests, so that problems can be detected early and early intervention. If Uncle Zhang had detected the problem of kidney function earlier and adjusted his diet, the results could have been very different.
During a Q&A session, one participant asked, "Doctor, can you elaborate on how older adults can tell if they're eating too much protein?" ”
The doctor replied, "First of all, you should make a judgment on the quality and quantity of your daily diet. Daily protein requirements vary from person to person, but the general recommendation is 0.8 grams to 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. You can keep a food diary to track your protein intake, while keeping an eye out for body reactions, such as fatigue and edema, which can be a sign that your kidneys are overloaded. "
"The most important thing is to have regular blood and urine tests, so that you can get a visual idea of the status of kidney function. It is very necessary to adjust your diet under the advice of your doctor, especially if you have known kidney health problems, and avoid high-protein diets. ”
What do you think about uremia? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!