Nutritional care of patients with renal failure and diabetes.

Planning effective strategies of nutritional care for individuals with diabetic renal failure requires consideration of nutritional, social and medical factors. Typically, the diet is limited in protein, sodium, fluid potassium, and phosphorus content. Poor diabetes control in renal failure has been associated with fluid overload; elevated serum triglyceride levels; hyperkalemic episodes; and impaired protein synthesis. A diabetic meal plan, modified to meet the required nutrient restrictions, is, therefore, routinely developed for each individual. Serial monitoring of nutritional indexes in each patient enables early detection of nutritional wasting and is useful in evaluating the effectiveness of corrective dietary measures.