Nutrition of the Kidney Transplant Recipients

The outcome of kidney transplantation can be influenced by the nutritional status of the patient. Malnutrition, obesity, and other metabolic complications can be prevented or corrected with adequate alimentary interventions. Only few randomized clinical trials of the best nutritional treatment after kidney transplantation are currently available. However, guidelines have been developed in order to optimize the nutritional status of patients with chronic kidney disease at all stages and for the management of kidney transplant recipients. The present chapter summarizes the key recommendations of the available evidence-based guidelines. The recommended nutritional intakes in adult and pediatric transplanted patients are reported together with nutritional suggestions to prevent or to manage metabolic-related complications. Large multicenter trials are underway to assess the effect of nutritional manipulations in kidney transplant recipients and to provide data for a structured dietetic and multidisciplinary approach to nutritional posttransplant care.