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The National Kidney Foundation's American Journal of Kidney Diseases published a new study challenging conventional thinking on plant-based diets. It shed light on the role of diet in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study was by Dr. Casey M. Rebholz from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It revealed that a healthy plant-based diet is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality among CKD patients. Conversely, an unhealthy plant-based diet is linked to an elevated risk of CKD progression and all-cause mortality.
Implications
Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation, emphasizes the potential implications of these findings. It challenges traditional nutritional guidance for CKD patients. The study suggests a shift from restrictive dietary approaches to a more inclusive one. The focus should be on the quality of the diet rather than restrictions.
Traditionally, CKD nutrition guidance has emphasized restrictions, such as limiting protein intake and controlling phosphorus and potassium levels. The study advocates for plant-based diets as a viable and beneficial option for CKD patients. It further distinguishes between overall plant-based diets, healthy plant-based diets, and unhealthy plant-based diets. Healthier choices, such as whole fruits and vegetables, are encouraged. Limit unhealthy options like sugar-sweetened beverages.
Study Specifics
The study involved 2,539 CKD participants from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study. That study ran between 2003 and 2008, and provided a few key findings:
- Participants with the highest adherence to overall plant-based diets and healthy plant-based diets had a 26% and 21% lower risk of all-cause mortality, respectively.
- Each 10-point higher score on the unhealthy plant-based diet index saw a 14% and 11% higher risk of CKD progression and all-cause mortality, respectively.
Despite study limitations, such as potential measurement errors in self-reported dietary data, these findings underscore the practical implications of dietary choices for CKD patients. The research represents a crucial step in understanding the impact of diet on CKD progression and management. It also offers potential avenues for improving well-being and quality of life for individuals with CKD.
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