The phrase “in deep kimchi” is a humorous expression in the US military slang meaning to be in serious trouble. Why am I in deep trouble you ask? Looking at one of my recent lab results, you may notice that my Albumin dropped from 3.6 to 3.1, a full 0.5. You may now further ask, so what? That’s what this blog is about.
The form of protein found in your blood is called albumin. You can think of albumin as your body’s mail carrier – it delivers nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and energy you get from food to the rest of your body. It also helps the fluid you drink to stay in your cells and blood vessels, and it helps fight infection. Dialysis removes some of the albumin in your blood which is why people on dialysis need to have a protein source at every meal and sometimes with snacks.
With this background, I asked several questions of Perplexity which are included in the following dialog. Read on for more info on this complex subject. The bottom line is that lower Albumin levels lead to a higher probability of death. Got your attention now?
In peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, serum albumin levels below specific thresholds indicate increased mortality risk. A baseline serum albumin level below 3.0 g/dL is associated with a more than threefold higher risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and infection-related mortality compared to levels between 4.00-4.19 g/dL[1]. Additionally, PD patients with serum albumin levels below 3.8 g/dL also face an increased mortality risk[1]. Maintaining serum albumin levels above these thresholds is crucial for reducing mortality risk in PD patients.
Citations:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21601335/
[2] https://bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-019-1433-8
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272638611007293
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3159826/
[5] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.917603/full
To raise albumin levels in peritoneal dialysis patients, a diet rich in high-quality protein is essential. Recommended protein sources include lean meats like chicken and fish, eggs, and dairy products such as cottage cheese and Greek yogurt[1][4][5]. It’s important to avoid processed meats due to their high sodium and phosphorus content[1][4]. Additionally, incorporating protein-rich foods like tofu and protein supplements can be beneficial[4]. Consulting with a dietitian can help tailor a diet plan that meets individual needs while maintaining kidney health[1][5].
Citations:
[1] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/peritoneal-dialysis/eating-nutrition
[2] https://www.jrnjournal.org/article/S1051-2276%2803%2900035-9/fulltext
[3] https://advancingdialysis.org/peritoneal-dialysis/nutritional-status-concerns-for-peritoneal-dialysis-patients/
[4] https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/advice/15-kidney-friendly-protein-foods-for-keeping-albumin-up
[5] https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/nutripd
To increase albumin levels in peritoneal dialysis patients, incorporating high-quality protein foods into the diet is essential. Recommended foods include:
- Lean meats: Turkey or lean beef burgers provide high-quality protein and iron.
- Chicken: Fresh chicken offers significant protein without excess sodium or phosphorus.
- Fish: Options like salmon, mackerel, and rainbow trout are excellent protein sources.
- Eggs: Deviled eggs and egg whites are easy protein-rich snacks.
- Dairy: Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are good protein sources with lower potassium.
- Tofu: A versatile protein alternative for meat, poultry, and fish[3].
Citations:
[1] https://www.jrnjournal.org/article/S1051-2276%2803%2900035-9/fulltext
[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.760394/full
[3] https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/advice/15-kidney-friendly-protein-foods-for-keeping-albumin-up
[4] https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?aty=open-web-entry&id=GALE%7CA123327278&issn=1526744X&it=r&linkaccess=abs&p=AONE&sid=googleScholar&sw=w&userGroupName=anon~e37d0809&v=2.1
[5] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-best-diet-for-parkinsons-disease
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