Medical Nutrition Therapy in End-Stage Renal Failure

Abstract

Chronic renal failure is defined as a chronic, persistent, progressive condition that results from many etiological causes, leading to a progressive reduction in glomerular filtration rate due to the progressive and irreversible loss of nephrons. End stage renal failure (ESRD) refers to the fifth stage of chronic renal failure. Renal replacement therapies (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, transplantation) are used in the treatment of ESRD. During these medical treatment processes, the individualized medical nutrition therapy planning is very important for the prevention of complications and improving the quality of life. The main aim of medical nutritional therapy in ESRD patients is to slow or prevent disease progression, to reduce uremic toxicity, to improve systemic complications caused by nephron loss and to improve patient appetite, to provide optimal nutrition, to prevent malnutrition, to prevent liquid electrolyte imbalances. In this review, medical nutrition therapy approach is discussed in patients with ESRD with current literature information.