LIHUE — Oranges, broccoli, beans and tomatoes are all off limits for people with kidney disease, but other foods can often produce adverse and severe reactions. Star fruit is one of those, and with the juicy geometric orbs nearly always
LIHUE — Oranges, broccoli, beans and tomatoes are all off limits for people with kidney disease, but other foods can often produce adverse and severe reactions.
Star fruit is one of those, and with the juicy geometric orbs nearly always in season somewhere on Kauai, its one island residents with kidney disease should have at the top of their avoidance list.
That’s according to experts like Ramona Wong, the doctor who formed Aloha Kidney, an educational program for anyone interested in how to live with, and how to avoid kidney disease.
“It’s well reported — anecdotal — of someone on dialysis or with a later stage of kidney disease eating a star fruit and then developing a syndrome of symptoms,” Wong said.
She continued: “It’s been reported with eating just one star fruit.”
The trees are common on Kauai and throughout the islands. Wong said she has one in her yard.
Former Agricultural Hawaii Island County Agent Jimmy Kuroiwa, of Puhi, said he and his wife Patty have a very productive star fruit tree in their yard as well, but his family has put their consumption on pause.
“I have border-line kidney disease, then my wife had an emergency of heart and kidney failure and now has been on dialysis for some 18 months,” Kuroiwa wrote to TGI.
He continued: “I was recommended to take Dr. Ramona Wong’s Kidney class. One of the subjects on diet is the consumption of star fruit and its impact on patients with kidney disease.”
Now that the Kuroiwa family has gone through the six-class Aloha Kidney series, there is more understanding of how diet and lifestyle contribute to and affect kidney disease.
That’s the goal of the Aloha Kidney classes, which are broadcast to Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai from Oahu.
“Originally I made them for people with kidney disease so you could understand how to live best with kidney disease,” Wong said. “It’s picking up on Kauai.”
Caretakers, loved ones and those with an interest in prevention of chronic disease have jumped on board and started taking the class as well, though.
“Support people, they’re so glad they come because they understand how the body works,” Wong said. “We’re making choices every day that nudge us toward chronic disease, you learn how not to go there.”
The goal is to focus on positive steps and prevention.
“Not through fear, but out of wanting more time in this body and maximizing every moment,” Wong said. “It’s a more holistic look. We have to take care and be mindful.”
