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About the Author

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Author, Nina Kolbe

Nina Kolbe RD, CSR, LD is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Renal Specialist who has been working with kidney disease patients for the past 25 years.   Ms Kolbe is considered an opinion leader in the field of renal nutrition.  She is the current chairperson of the Council of Renal Nutrition serving the National Capital Area as well as a board member on the Medical Steering Committee of the National Kidney Foundation, serving the National Capital Area.   Ms Kolbe is on the board of the National Kidney Disease Education Program of the National Institutes of Health ( NIH) and  provides lectures at Georgetown University on renal nutrition to “Renal Fellows” young Doctors choosing to specialize in kidney disease.   Nina Kolbe promotes improving kidney health by implementing cutting edge research on diet, supplementation and lifestyle. Book excerpt “after working in this field for over 20 years, I am convinced and research supports this, that an early diagnosis, proper medical management, diet and a healthy lifestyle can all contribute to delay the progression of kidney disease.

Nina Kolbe RD CSR LD to guest lecture at National Kidney Foundations annual meeting for renal health care providers including physicians, dietitians and nurses on October 19, 2011.

Nina Kolbe RD to do cooking demonstration from her best selling cookbook Kidney Health Gourmet at People First Conference in Washington DC November 12, 2011.

Nina Kolbe RD CSR LD featured in Nephrology News & Issues July 2010 The renal diet in 2010; Is it time for a shake up?
Nina Kolbe awarded Renal Dietitian of the Year award by Council of Renal Nutrition
Nina Kolbe asked to join the board of National Institutes of Health National Kidney Disease Education Program
Nina Kolbe RDCSRLD asked to speak at American Nephrology Nurses Association annual meeting in March 2011

Kidney Disease

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26 million Americans, 1 in 9 adults have been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).  Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common reasons for a decrease in the workings of the kidney.  Managing those conditions and providing the recommended levels of protein, potassium, sodium and phosphorus along with lifestyle changes and proper supplementation are all essential in the improvement of this disease process.

About 10 Step Diet & Lifestyle Guide Plan

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10-steps-cover

PRESS RELEASE:  NOVEMBER 10, 2010, 10 STEP DIET & LIFESTYLE PLAN FOR HEALTHIER KIDNEYS IS BEING RELEASED.  NINA KOLBE RD CSR LD, A HIGHLY REGARDED LEADER IN THE FIELD OF RENAL NUTRITION HAS PUBLISHED HER SECOND BOOK. A note from the author: “I have been counseling patients with kidney disease for over 10 years. I strongly believe and have a proven track record to show that with early detection, following the proper diet, making healthy lifestyle changes, and adding anti oxidants and anti inflamatories to ones diet can help most patients avoid dialysis. With later detection my plan can significantly delay the need for kidney replacement therapy.”

The book outlines the necessary changes in 10 easy to follow steps. The last chapter is devoted to hot off the press research which also significantly improved kidney function in research trials.

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Table of Contents

  1. The Basics
  2. Causes of decrease in kidney function
  3. What are the stages of kidney disease
  4. Step One: Control your blood pressure
  5. Step Two: Diabetes, if you have it control it
  6. Step Three: Modify your protein intake
  7. Step Four: Manage your potassium
  8. Step Five: Manage your phosphorus
  9. Step Six: Manage your anemia
  10. Step Seven: Manage your cholesterol and start an exercise program
  11. Step Eight: Be aware of medical testing and the use of NSAIDS
  12. Step Nine: Vitamin D, anti inflammatory and antioxidants
  13. Step Ten: Hot of the press research

About Kidney Health Gourmet

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Cover of Kidney Health GourmetPRESS RELEASE:  FEBRUARY 26, 2010  Second edition of The Kidney Health Gourmet is being released. Over 80 new recipes have been added.  Eat your favorite, Thai, Chinese and Latin foods without the worry that you are going off your diet.  New sections to guide you through the supermarket choices.  Select the healthiest options for canned soups, frozen dinner, there is even a going out guide. This book is is a diet guide and cookbook for people not on dialysis. The readers are educated on protein, potassium, phosphorus and sodium. Sample menus and pages and pages of delicious recipes are provided. Prolong your kidney health while eating delicious foods the whole family will enjoy.

A note from the author:”I was drawn to create this diet guide and cookbook after many patients complained to me about the lack of resources for CKD patients, not on dialysis. They would search the internet and start to follow a diet that was meant for dialysis patients. The CKD diet for non dialysis patients is VERY different from a diet for dialysis. I wanted to help educate my patients but also people who have received the diagnosis of CKD who are looking for information on diet and lifestyle modification which will help them maintain their health.  The dietary advice in this book is based on scientific studies by leading opinion leaders in the field of renal nutrition.

For more videos on cooking tips, visit the Kidney Health Gourmet YouTube Page.

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Recipe Index Pages

Book Reviews

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Nina, thank you so much for two great books. I took them to my Nephrologist Dr. Patel in Woodbury and he told me it was the best book on diet and kidney disease for patietns he has ever seen. My GFR went from 22 to 38, he couldnt believe it. You have given me so much hope that I will not end of on dialysis. Mary Franklin, Woodbury

I was a mess before I purchased the books, had high potassium, uncontrolled sugars and high blood pressure. By following your advice my potassium is now almost normal, my diabetes is well controlled and my creatinine went from 2.8 to 2.1 in only 6 months. I will follow you diet forever and hope my creatinine keeps going down. I tell anyone who will listed to buy your books and stick to them like glue. Merv Freeman, Miami.

I am only 32 years old but I was looking at dialysis in less than two years. I was in early stage 4 when I started following your diet, in just 6 months my kidneys improved radicly and I was downgraded to stage 3. Two years later I am in stage 1, not fearing dialysis I have never felt better and stronger. I follow you diet faithfully and my diabetes has never been better controlled. Thank you so much for helping me D.L Washington DC.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: I see advertisements for herbal or natural supplements helping kidney disease, is there any truth to this?
A:   This is a very important question, thank you for asking. All medications are eliminated through the body either through the kidneys ( urine) or liver ( stool). In this country FDA has oversight only on prescription medications. Very rigorous clinical trial are monitored to make sure that there are no adverse effects of the medication on the kidneys or liver. The herbals or natural supplements are not required to submit any safety data so we are not aware of their effects on the kidneys. They may actually harm the kidneys rather than help them since there are usually no rigorous clinical trials which are monitored by a third party, their safety is not knows. I caution my patients agains their use.

Q: My husband has chronic kidney disease and I try to have meals ready for him but are there some frozen meals that I can use occasionally?

A:   Navigating the assortment of frozen meals can be a challenge you have to not only look at the main ingredients but the fine print on the ingredient labels.  Food additives using potassium and phosphorus can add dangerous levels of these minerals to the diet.  Amy’s Organic has the best options since they do not use food addtitives but some of those can be too high as well. I did give a list in the cookbook of the best frozen meals to purchase.

Q:  Can I eat all varieties of lettuce?

A:  Many varieties of lettuce contain high levels of potassium.  I encourage all patients to be their own advocates and get copies of their blood work so they know if their potassium is acceptable or high.  In the 10 Step book I educate patients and caregivers on interpreting lab results.  If your potassium is normal then all lettuce varieties are fine if is starting to be elevated then you have to select the lower potassium lettuce. My Kidney Health Gourmet has different lettuce options and their potassium content.

Q: What if I have more questions?

If you have any questions about the book or the content it covers please email the author at nina@kidneyhealthgourmet.com.

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10 Step Diet & Lifestyle Plan
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Kidney Health Gourmet
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Buy both for $29.99
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