How does dialysis affect protein needs?

How does dialysis affect protein needs?

• A. Dialysis reduces amino acid losses
• B. Protein needs are unchanged
• C. Patients on dialysis require higher dietary protein intake to compensate for amino acid losses
• D. Protein should be avoided

Answer: (C)

Dialysis increases amino acid losses, so dietary protein needs go up. During dialysis, amino acids and small proteins can be removed from the blood, which, if not offset by dietary intake, leads to a negative nitrogen balance and can cause muscle loss, malnutrition, and slower recovery. To compensate for these losses and maintain lean body mass and healing, patients on dialysis are generally advised to eat more protein—about 1.2 to 1.5 g per kilogram of body weight per day, higher than the typical 0.8 g/kg/day recommended for the general population. This higher intake helps replace what dialysis removes, though overall nutrition still needs to be balanced with other factors like phosphorus and potassium.

Dialysis increases amino acid losses, so dietary protein needs go up. During dialysis, amino acids and small proteins can be removed from the blood, which, if not offset by dietary intake, leads to a negative nitrogen balance and can cause muscle loss, malnutrition, and slower recovery. To compensate for these losses and maintain lean body mass and healing, patients on dialysis are generally advised to eat more protein—about 1.2 to 1.5 g per kilogram of body weight per day, higher than the typical 0.8 g/kg/day recommended for the general population. This higher intake helps replace what dialysis removes, though overall nutrition still needs to be balanced with other factors like phosphorus and potassium.