Salt, diet drinks may reduce kidney use

[The Straight Story]

Salt, diet drinks may reduce kidney use

BOSTON, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- People who eat a diet high in salt or artificially sweetened drinks have an increased risk of kidney function decline, U.S. researchers said.

Dr. Julie Lin and Dr. Gary Curhan of Brigham and Women's Hospital studied more than 3,000 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study during an 11-year period to identify the impact of sodium and sweetened drinks on kidney function.

"There are currently limited data on the role of diet in kidney disease," Lin said in a statement. "While more study is needed, our research suggests that higher sodium and artificially sweetened soda intake are associated with greater rate of decline in kidney function."

The authors found "in women with well-preserved kidney function, higher dietary sodium intake was associated with greater kidney function decline, which is consistent with experimental animal data that high sodium intake promotes progressive kidney decline."

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/11/02/Salt-diet-drinks-may-reduce-kidney-use/UPI-99961257143454/

[REP]

1. I'm a kidney patient who has been told to avoid artificially sweetened diet sodas

As I recall, it's due to the potassium content as well as aspartame and sucralose in general being hard on already failing kidneys.

[tabatha]

4. Potassium ?

Hmmm.

[tabatha]

6. Do you mean phosphorus?

[Confusious]

2. I have to run to the bathroom

if I have artificial sweeteners.

[tabatha]

3. Coffee does that to me.

[derby378]

5. Alcohol has that effect on me

I don't drink much to begin with, but when I do allow myself an occasional ale or lager, my kidneys let me know in short order that they want in on the party.