How Milk Affects Creatinine Levels in Kidney Disease

Milk for Kidney Patients: Drinking milk is very important for health. It is a type of complete food in which many types of nutrients are found. While it removes the deficiency of many types of vitamins in the body, its consumption does not cause protein deficiency. But is the consumption of milk beneficial for everyone? For example, people who have lactose intolerance problems cannot digest milk. Similarly, it is not easy for kidney patients to digest milk. The consumption of milk can sometimes be a problem for kidney patients. Due to this, the functioning of the kidney can be affected very badly.

Does milk increase creatinine level-

Doctors say that milk does not directly increase the level of creatinine in healthy individuals. However, for kidney patients, milk consumption can be a matter of concern depending on the stage of kidney disease. Creatinine is a waste product filtered by the kidneys. Elevated levels of creatinine often indicate kidney dysfunction. In fact, in kidney disease, the kidney's ability to filter any type of waste, including creatinine, is reduced.

Can a kidney patient take milk-

Milk is rich in protein, especially casein, and excessive protein intake can put pressure on the kidneys, making it difficult for them to filter waste well. For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), high protein intake can increase kidney damage, potentially increasing creatinine levels.

In the early stages of kidney disease, moderate milk consumption may not significantly affect creatinine levels. However, as kidney function deteriorates, it becomes important for patients to keep their protein intake in check. Because consuming more protein means more pressure on the kidney. In this way, the kidney is not able to work properly, and then things become even more difficult for the body.

It is worth noting that a report by the National Library of Medicine states that patients with kidney stones should avoid animal-based protein, sodium, and oxalate, and they should choose fruits and vegetables accordingly. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) should reduce the intake of things rich in sodium, potassium, and oxalate as it can put pressure on the kidney and affect the filtration function.

However, a report by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases states that if kidney patients have to consume protein, then they should do it in very small quantities and little by little. Apart from this, avoid consuming protein from meat, fish, milk, and egg, etc. It is a little difficult to digest them. Apart from this, you can consume plant-based protein such as beans, nuts, and vegetables.

Kidney patients need to talk to a nephrologist or dietitian to determine the appropriate amount of milk or protein. Overall, moderation and proper dietary guidance can help improve creatinine levels and kidney health. In such a situation, whether to drink milk or not can be decided based on your kidney disease, kidney function, and then only your doctor.