Current concepts of nutritional therapy in chronic renal failure: an update

The natural course of chronic renal disease with the passage of time is reviewed, parallel with rational nutritional management to counterbalance the ill effects of the progressive renal pathology. Progressive protein restriction, supplementation with essential amino acids and their keto-acid and hydroxy analogues, phosphate restriction, sodium and potassium regulation, and other measures are discussed, together with an elaboration on optimal nutritional management of adult maintenance dialysis patients and of children on dialysis.