What Does the BUN Level in the Blood Mean?

Hi there, I was wondering, how does one lower their Blood urine nitrogen (BUN) level? Is there a certain kind of supplement that a person could take, & if so,  is there  a specific kind of supplement that you would recommend? or is there a certain food, or overall diet that would help bring down a person's BUN level? hope you can answer this for me.
Thank you, Donald N.

Hi Donald,
You've probably been given the results of a blood test and been told your BUN level is above normal (about 8-20 mg/dL depending on the individual laboratory). 

BUN (blood urea nitrogen) is a measure of how much urea is in the blood, a breakdown product of protein. It's usually an indicator of kidney function, as the kidneys excrete this waste product. A high BUN (say from 30 - 60 mg/dL) often indicates a decline in kidney function. It is usually interpreted along with the serum creatinine level (normal range about 0.7-1.2 mg/dL). In the case of kidney insufficiency, a protein-restricted diet may be prescribed to slow the progression and ease the stress on the kidneys.

A high BUN level can also indicate a bleed in the GI tract, when an excessive amount of protein is being absorbed from the blood in the digestive tract that does not belong there.
There's nothing that can be taken to lower the BUN level--the problem behind the BUN elevation is what has to be addressed, and your medical doctor should be able to provide you with answers or refer you to a specialist.

Vitamin K and Coumadin (Warfarin)

The information on the internet is vast and difficult to sort through. I am on warfarin and am looking for a list of foods and their vitamin k levels.  I am trying to eat a consistent diet but would like to make informed, smart choices. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you for your time.      Marcy D.

Hi Marcy,

I'm so pleased to hear you received the correct education, which is to maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K and NOT to avoid vitamin K foods!

Here is a reputable list of vitamin K content of foods from a university (Anytime there is ".edu" on a website--as opposed to ".com"-- it's from a university and I deem this information to be far more reputable than blogs or sites with contributions from people who are not necessarily professionals in the field).

http://healthcare.utah.edu/thrombosis/patients/warfarin/WarfarinGuide_vitaminK.p

For the most part, the best way to maintain a consistent intake is to not greatly vary your intake of leafy greens: For example, going on a diet where you suddenly start having spinach salad every day could definitely throw off your coumadin/vitamin K balance.

Kudos to you for paying close attention to your dietary and medication regimen :)

My Breakfast Doesn't Fill Me Up

I have a question about breakfast. I usually have a slice of toast and a bowl of Fiber One cereal. The cereal has 14 grams of fiber, but I still don't feel full after eating. In general, cold cereals don't fill me--are there some hot cereals or hot dishes that might work?
Donna L.

Hi Donna,
Since you're eating basically all carbohydrates at breakfast, consider adding some protein and/or fat. These nutrients tend to stay in your stomach longer than carbs so it may help keep you full for longer.
Try peanut butter or cottage cheese on your toast, a slice of cheese, yogurt or an egg.
(If you're watching your weight you will have to eat about 75 - 150 calories fewer later in the day to keep your calorie level the same.)

I'm Trying to Prevent Diabetes

I have diabetes in my family, and I seem to have many of the symptoms of insulin resistance, so I'm trying to watch my carb intake and eating lower glycemic.

I have a friend that says she lost weight by not eating carbs in the morning. Instead she has some fruit with low fat yogurt.
I found this interesting. I find it hard to lose weight, even though I am a picky eater and am very active.

All my life I have had a breakfast of cereal and toast. Perhaps with my genetics, this is what was hapening to me?

Is a yogurt and fruit breakfast healthier.

Thanks for your thoughts! Sharon E.     Hi Sharon, First I want to commend you on trying to prevent diabetes which you know runs in your family.     I would have to say, the number one preventive for diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight. In order to do this, it's important to limit your daily calorie intake, not just carbs. Exercise is also essential to maintain the balance that keeps you at a healthy weight.     Your friend said she has no carbs at breakfast, but fruit is pure carbs, and yogurt contains carbohydrate as well. It's important to find an accurate source of information (such as the American Diabetes Association or a Registered Dietitian) since what well-meaning friends and family -- as well as the internet -- have to say can be confusing and just plain wrong!     I'm curious as to what symptoms you are experiencing that make you think you are insulin resistant: the main symptom would be an elevated blood glucose level. I recommend getting a blood test to see where you stand. The "Hemoglobin A1C" level can show what your blood sugar has been running over the past 3 months, so that's a good place to start.     If you are overweight, eating less and moving more to get to a more healthy weight would be your first line of defense. (An easy first step would be keeping a food diary so you can see where you might overeat during a typical day).     Good Luck! Laurie

What's the Best Way to Lose Weight?

This a very common question--with so many diets, diet books, fad diets, diet pills and meal plans, how do you know what really works, or what may even be harmful? I've come up with a short list to help you determine if a diet will work long term for you. Check to see that it incorporates these 5 F's:

1) Food: Is there real food on this plan? Or do you have to make powdered shakes, heat frozen meals, or order supplements from a company? The closer the plan is to how you usually eat, the easier it will be for you to follow. Consider what will happen if you run out of pre-packaged meals or feel like munching on something instead of drinking your breakfast. Sometimes substituting a shake in place of a meal will work; but if you have to keep it up, will you be able to for long?

2) Flexibility: Ideally the diet plan will allow for some changes. If it's a set-in-stone, "this is what you must have for lunch on Tuesday" type of diet, think about what will happen if you have company, want to eat out, have lunch served to you at a business meeting, etc. Good weight-loss plans shouldn't be only black or white: You should be able to substitute a food item, switch off meals during the day and between days, and include some "free" foods if you need a snack. Weight Watcher's is a great example of a flexible plan: you get a certain number of points to use during the day and YOU choose what you eat and when.

3) Financials: How expensive is this plan to follow? If it's all organic or requires a certain brand of snack bar or pre-made meals, you could be in for some sticker shock. How long will you be able to afford this meal plan? There are lots of diet plans that don't require any expensive add-ons. 

4) Filling: Will you be satisfied, or starving? If a diet leaves you continually empty and miserable, chances are you won't be able to stay with it for long. Healthy diet plans incorporate lots of fiber-containing foods to assure your stomach isn't growling long before it's time to eat again. The DASH diet is a great example of a filling and healthy diet.

5) Forever: The best diet is one you'll be able to stay on forever, literally. If you learn to change your habits, eat a bit less and move a bit more, it will simple become your lifestyle; not something you go on and off repeatedly.
The Beck Diet Solution is a great example of how you can change the way you think to change the way you eat. Judith Beck has books and workbooks available to guide you day by day to make these changes. Join us for a group teleclass (that means you can live anywhere in the world and participate with us); find out more and register here. Grab a friend and join us now!

How Accurate are Online Calorie Calculators?

I looked online for a calorie calculator today because I'm trying to figure out how many calories I should eat each day. How accurate are these online calculators? I am a 21 year old female, 5'6" tall and 118 pounds. The answer was 1800 calories a day, but I am full when eating just 1600 calories. Should I continue eating more even though I am full at 1600?  Thanks, Donna L.

Hi Donna,

Many of these calculators work on scientific formulas that can very closely estimate your calorie needs based on your height, weight, gender and age.
The 1800 calorie level is the estimated amount necessary to maintain your weight, but is also based on your activity level. If you are more active you may need even more calories to maintain your weight. If you consume fewer calories you are likely to lose weight. 

You have to play around with the numbers a bit, as everyone is different. 

If you find you cannot maintain your weight with what you are eating, there are a few ways you can do this. One is to get less exercise (not usually recommended!) and another is to try to get more calories in. If you need to eat more calories, but get full too soon, consider cutting back a bit on high fiber foods like raw vegetables and replace them in softer form (cooked vegetables, soups or juices); or consider adding calories in the form of beverages like milk or juice.
There are  commercial high-calorie beverages like Boost, Ensure, and Carnation Instant Breakfast drink that can add 200 or 300 calories a day to your intake, bringing your calorie level right to where you need it.

How Can I Eat Without Gaining Weight Over the Holidays?

Hi,
I am 23 years old, 5'4" and 130 pounds. I have started eating healthier and exercising to lose a few pounds. I'm doing well now, but I'm concerned about my trip home for Christmas. My family cooks a lot of really delicious foods, including special holiday cookies. I want to be able to enjoy the meals with my family, but can I eat some of these treats without undoing the work I've already done?  Melissa G.

Hi Melissa,

Congratulations on your resolve to eat better through the holidays. One of the theories of obesity is not that people stuff themselves every day, but that they gain 1 or 2 pounds over each holiday/vacation, and never take it off! So you can really save yourself a lot of trouble in the future by watching what you eat now.

Have a plan: keeping a food diary is an excellent idea because it keeps you aware of what you are eating. There are many websites (like TheDailyPlate.com and SparkPeople.com) that help you do this, and an app called LoseIt if you have a smart phone. You could also just get a tiny notebook that is easy to carry around (intake should be recorded within 15-20 minutes of eating, or people tend to forget what they nibbled).

What is a reasonable number of cookies for you to have each day? Would it help to save them until the end of the day? Would a set plan like, "I will only have one cookie at a time and I will sit at the table to eat each one slowly and savor it" help?

Consider in what ways you are likely to overeat and then write up a strategy for yourself. Rules like "I will only eat when I am hungry" or "I will only eat while sitting down" can be helpful.

It might also help you to have a "mantra" that you repeat to yourself often throughout the day that describes how you want to get through the time at home: for example, "Food is a small part of enjoying this time with my family. Having a taste of something will be even more satisfying than eating a big portion because I'll be happy with myself at the end of the day for making the right choices."

If you'd like, send me your plan and I'll give you some feedback so you'll be set in time for the holidays!