F.Y.I. —

Meatless Option May Help Slow Progression of Kidney Disease

Incorporating meatless options into an overall balanced diet may help slow the progression of kidney disease, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) says. 

“Plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, have been shown to provide a number of health benefits, including lower body mass index (BMI), better control of blood pressure and blood glucose, less inflammation, lower cholesterol levels, and less dietary acid, sodium, and phosphorus loads,” said Joseph Vassalotti, MD and Chief Medical Officer of NKF. “As a result, research indicates that a plant-based diet may be part of an effective lifestyle program to help treat or slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.”

The links between kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes are often overlooked; but diabetes and high blood pressure are the top risk factors for developing kidney disease accounting for two-thirds of all cases. Kidney disease can also lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in kidney patients.

About Plant-Based Diets and Kidney Disease: Studies demonstrate the beneficial role of a plant-based diet in slowing the progression of some chronic diseases (including kidney disease.)

  • Plant-based foods produce less of a dietary acid load than animal-based foods (meats and dairy). If not highly processed, plant-based foods are also lower in sodium and bioavailable phosphorus (phosphorus that’s easier for the body to absorb). This reduced absorption decreases the phosphorus load on the kidneys and lowers the risk of complications caused by excess phosphorus.
  • The consumption of animal protein increases the acid load in the kidneys, which increases harmful ammonia levels that can damage kidney cells.
  • Plant-based diets may protect against tissue damage and suppress inflammation (fatty acids in plant foods are anti-inflammatory, whereas those in animal foods can be pro-inflammatory).
  • Plant-based diets are lower in saturated fats, which is better for the health of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart and kidneys.

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