Optimizing nutrition in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Nutrition is a crucial part of the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) because of its influence on morbidity and mortality. Nutrition status can be assessed using laboratory nutrition markers, the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), anthropometric data, diet interviews and food diaries, and psychosocial assessment. Diet prescriptions need to be individualized based on each patient's degree of CKD and type of renal replacement therapy.