We have a tremendous problem here in America (and the world). We are becoming fat and lazy. Invariably, that means diabetes is on the rise. Inevitably, that means kidney failure is imminent. (And, some of us are already on that fast track, just because of our genes!). I know we all need to lose weight (is this the pot calling the kettles black, or what?). But, isn’t there something else that can be done, too? (I don’t mean to develop another dialyzer; a stem-cell kidney replacement would be nice. But, I am hoping for a preventive measure, and…)
Well, maybe there is. Here’s the story. A ketogenic diet has been used to manage seizures in epileptic children for some time. (This diet is for recalcitrant sufferers, used when nothing else really works well to control the seizures. The ketogenic diet is one that mimics starvation in the body- instead of carbohydrates, the body burns fats; and instead of turning fats (and other foods) to glucose (as in the normal metabolism), the fats are only partially broken down to fatty acids and ketone bodies. At this point, the brain uses these compounds (ketones) in lieu of glucose, and this ketosis precludes the epileptic seizures. The diet has few carbohydrates in the mix, having been replaced with high fat content (87% of the caloric content), supplemented with just the requisite proteins.
Over the years, we have found that ketones (via the ketogenic diet) are generally neuroprotective. As such, it was hoped that the ketogenic diet would be protective in diabetic neuropathy, and possibly with diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Mobbs and his colleagues (Drs. Poplawski, Mastaitis, Isoda, Grosjean, and Zheng, all then at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, NY) were even more intrigued with this diet, because of the finding that 3-OHB (ketone 3-beta-hydroxybutyric acid) was found to attenuate the molecular responses to glucose (the problem in diabetes); the ketogenic diet induces prolonged exposure to this compound.
As such, they tested the use of the diet in mice that were developed to manifest type 1 and type 2 diabetes. (These results were published in the journal, PlosOne.) These two types of diabetes routinely lead to kidney failure and dialysis in humans, as a progression to their diabetic conditions. Type 1 diabetes involves the failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin (which controls blood sugar levels). Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistant, and, as such, it causes a rise in blood sugar levels. (The NIH (National Institutes of Health) state that type 2 diabetes is on the increase due to our sedentary lifestyle and poor diet [which causes obesity and overweight subjects]).
Dr. Mobb’s series of experiments first allowed the mice to develop diabetic nephropathy, at which time half the mice were fed the ketogenic diet. After 8 weeks, the mice were examined for changes in their histology and gene expression. What they found was pretty astounding: The diabetic nephropathy was completely reversed (as determined by stresses genes and albumin/creatinine ratios). But, there were only partial reversals of the histology, as manifested by the glomerular sclerosis results.
Dr. Mobbs believes this diet could stop diabetic kidney failure. He believes so because the complications from diabetes arise from excess glucose metabolism; given ketones, which block glucose metabolism, the body should afford the cells an opportunity to repair themselves.
However, the question still arises is if this diet can completely correct the kidney impairments. Testing in mice is continuing along that aspect, one of the issues of which is to discern the mechanism of renal repair. We know the low-protein aspect of the diet can help some, since data from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study group (MDRD) (New England Journal of Medicine, 1994) demonstrated that patients with advanced kidney disease demonstrated no real improvements with such a diet, but those in the initial stages had modest improvements. It is possible that the ketogenic diet will amplify these results for those patients just beginning to manifest the renal complications.
This is very good news, Roy. I think our diet has a tremendous impact on our health. I hope this ketogenic diet will be used to save many lives.
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Ok, Dr. Roy, I raise my hand, that was a lot of heavy duty word to take in one go! Sorry for being bad at all this but I get the idea that you are making us aware of the efforts to better our kidneys! I come from a family with poor hearts (literally too!) and they make us drink so much water that I think my kidneys dare not make any noise!
Thanks! Have a nice day 🙂
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Hajra:
Yes, first of all, too many of us don’t realize the cascade of disease syndrome. It has been a real problem for certain races (I can’t be politically correct; the gene pool tells this story). Get diabetes- you can lose a limb (partially likely) but having kidney failure is very likely!. With fatties like me rolling around, we are prone to diabetes, too- which means kidney failure is the next step.
Finding a diet that can reverse this cycle is just fantabulous! (I have another trick to make this a full concept….)
I invented the kidney and the dialysate to make life better for those who suffer from kidney failure. I would love to make kidney failure disappear!
Sorry for the technical jargon- I have been living it so long, that I don’t even see it!
Thanks for dropping in!
Roy
Kidney disease is listed by stages, with each stage having slightly different dietary needs to keep the patient as healthy as possible. During some of the later stages, the need for protein goes down slightly to accommodate the body’s inability to process or digest protein. In the end stage, Stage Five, the patient will not only be facing dialysis, but his dietary needs will change as well. During this stage, it is important to work with the dietician so that the best health level can be maintained. In addition to changing the need for protein, the end stage of kidney disease will also restrict the amount of sodium, potassium and phosphorous in the diet. The intake of fluid will also be restricted at this point as well.
Great information, Colleen.
Thanks for sharing this. This should provide those seeking information about kidney failure great background.
Roy
Watch that Real juice that you think is healthy. DNA, Mumbai reports that packaged foods tend to aggravate the problems of those of suffering from kidney problems and disorders by almost 50%. As per the research reports, the preservatives used in the packaged foods, like salts and phosphorous, are harmful for kidney patients and those suffering from the problem should curb the usage of such products as far as possible.