Dialysis & Nutrition: Why protein plays an important role
People receiving dialysis treatment have special nutritional needs. In this context, factors such as protein, energy, fluid, and the intake of certain minerals can play a role.
Which diet is suitable for an individual case depends on various factors, including the type of dialysis, individual health status, and medical instructions. Diet should therefore be coordinated with the treating nephrology team or a qualified nutritionist.
Why does protein intake change with dialysis?
During dialysis, amino acids and proteins can be lost. Therefore, nutritional recommendations for people on dialysis differ from recommendations for people with chronic kidney disease who do not yet require dialysis.
Professional societies provide guidelines for the daily protein intake of certain stable dialysis patients. However, the individually suitable amount should be determined by the treating medical or nutritional professional.
A blanket recommendation for all people on dialysis is not sensible.
Why is an individual diet so important?
With kidney disease, various dietary components may need to be considered individually.
These can include:
- Protein
- Energy
- Fluid
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Sodium
- other nutrients
Which amounts are suitable can vary from person to person. Laboratory values, medications, and the specific form of dialysis can also play a role in nutritional recommendations.
Therefore, general information on dialysis nutrition should not replace individual nutritional counseling.
Protein and dialysis
Protein contributes to the maintenance and increase of muscle mass as well as the maintenance of normal bones.
Protein is found, for example, in:
- Milk and dairy products
- Eggs
- Fish
- Meat and poultry
- Legumes
- other plant-based protein sources
During dialysis, however, other components of a food item besides the protein content can also be relevant. These include, for example, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, or the total energy intake.
Therefore, a food or protein product cannot be judged as suitable for dialysis based solely on its protein content.
Protein products in dialysis: What should be considered?
Protein products differ considerably in their composition.
In addition to protein content, the following information, for example, can be relevant:
- Protein source
- Potassium content
- Phosphorus content
- Sodium content
- Carbohydrate content
- Fat content
- Energy content
- Ingredients and additives
- Serving size
Especially with kidney disease, a product should therefore not be chosen solely based on a high protein content.
Anyone receiving dialysis who wishes to use protein products should coordinate the specific product choice with their treating nephrology team or a qualified nutritionist.
What to do if a normal diet is not enough?
In special medical nutritional situations, individually tailored nutritional measures may be required.
Whether adjusting a normal diet is sufficient or whether special products are necessary should be assessed professionally.
This can take into account the personal nutritional situation, lab values, type of dialysis, medications, and other health factors.
Foods for special medical purposes must also be distinguished from regular foods and commercially available protein products.
Adozan and dialysis
Adozan offers various foods with protein. The products differ in protein content, composition, product form, and preparation.
Adozan products are not offered by saluvivo as foods specifically intended for dialysis.
With dialysis, there may be special requirements for nutrition and individual nutrients. Whether a specific Adozan product is suitable for a person on dialysis should therefore be clarified individually with a doctor or a qualified nutritionist.
Information on the composition, ingredients, and nutritional values of each product can be found on the respective product pages.
You can find the entire product range in our Adozan category.
Nutrition during dialysis
Dialysis nutrition cannot be reduced to individual foods or nutrients.
Depending on the individual situation, the following points, among others, may be considered:
- needs-based protein intake
- adequate energy intake
- individually adjusted fluid intake
- monitoring potassium intake
- monitoring phosphorus intake
- monitoring sodium intake
- individual consideration of other nutrients
Concrete recommendations should be adapted to the personal situation and the specific dialysis treatment.
Conclusion
There are special nutritional requirements for dialysis. Protein can play an important role, but at the same time, other nutrients and the individual medical situation often need to be taken into account.
Therefore, there is no universal recommendation for a specific protein product for dialysis.
Anyone who wishes to supplement their protein intake or use a protein product should coordinate the suitable amount and product choice with their treating nephrology team or a qualified nutritionist.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does protein play a special role in dialysis?
During dialysis, amino acids and proteins can be lost. The individually suitable protein intake, however, depends on the personal situation and the type of dialysis and should be professionally determined.
How much protein is recommended for dialysis?
Professional societies publish guidelines for various patient groups. The individually suitable amount may deviate from these and should be coordinated with the treating medical or nutritional professional.
Can I use protein powder with dialysis?
There is no general answer to this. In addition to protein content, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, energy content, and other components may be relevant in kidney disease. The use of a protein product should therefore be clarified individually.
Are Adozan products specifically intended for dialysis?
No. Adozan products are regular foods with different compositions and are not offered by saluvivo as foods specifically intended for dialysis. Whether a specific product is individually suitable should be professionally clarified for dialysis patients.
Why is the protein content alone not sufficient for product selection?
During dialysis, other dietary components besides protein can also be relevant. Therefore, the entire composition of a product should be taken into account.
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Scientific Sources
KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline for Nutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32829751/
ESPEN Practical Guideline: Clinical Nutrition in Acute and Chronic Kidney Disease
https://www.espen.org/guidelines/espen-practical-guidelines-pdf-versions
University Hospital Zurich – Nephrology
https://www.usz.ch
Inselspital Bern – Department of Nephrology and Hypertension
https://www.insel.ch
Swiss Society for Nutrition (SGE)
https://www.sge-ssn.ch
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Published: 07/03/2026
Last updated: 10/06/2026
Author: Christiane Michaela Wogrin
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Author
Christiane Michaela Wogrin is a certified operating room nurse and has many years of experience in the healthcare and medical technology sectors. She focuses on nutrition, protein products, and their practical application in everyday life.
You can find out more about her professional background on her LinkedIn profile.
