What foods to avoid or to eat has long been debated in chronic kidney disease treatment. Traditionally, people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been advised to avoid a number of fruits and vegetables. In contrast, a recent study found that eating a diet dominant in a high variety of plant-based foods, is the best for chronic kidney disease.
Eating a diet dominant in plant-based foods with more than 30 different plant-based foods each week improved the gut microbiome (with an increase in beneficial health-promoting microbes), decreased symptoms, and reduced harmful toxins in the blood and urine. The best results were found in persons with worse kidney function (more advanced kidney disease)..
In contrast, during the study period when the same persons followed a low diversity of plant-foods in the diet (less than or no more than 15 different plant-based foods per week) they had a loss in gut microbial diversity (not good for health).
What is a diet dominant in a high variety of plant-based foods? This means eating many different types of plant-based foods each week, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Fresh herbs also count - e.g., dill, parsley, cilantro, basil, chives. Some tips to getting over 30 plant-based foods: eat multi-grain cereals, trail mixes, nut mixtures, salads with a variety of ingredients, fruit bowls, multi-grain breads, and multi-grain or seed crackers.
From Medical Xpress: Plant-based diet trial boosts health for people living with kidney disease
New research from the University of Wollongong (UOW) has found that a diet rich in diverse plant foods can significantly benefit people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The study was led by former UOW Ph.D. student Dr. Jordan Stanford (University of Newcastle). Senior author, Associate Professor Kelly Lambert from UOW's School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences said the research demonstrates that a simple dietary intervention can lead to substantial improvements in gut health and reduce harmful toxins in the blood and urine.
The research, published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, is the first of its kind globally to show the positive effects of a plant-dominant diet on CKD patients. The study involved participants consuming more than 30 different types of plant foods each week, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
The research team found that patients who followed the diet experienced significant improvements in their gut bacteria diversity and a reduction in toxin levels in blood and urine. Associate Professor Lambert said the most unwell patients appeared to gain the greatest benefits from the dietary changes.
"We were particularly excited to see that this relatively simple intervention could have such profound effects, especially for those with more advanced kidney disease," Associate Professor Lambert said.
The research findings challenge long-held beliefs about dietary restrictions for kidney disease patients. While traditional approaches often limit certain fruits and vegetables, this new research suggests that a more inclusive diet may be safer and more effective.
"For years dietary advice for kidney disease patients has been restrictive, often limiting fruit and vegetable intake due to concerns about certain minerals such as potassium. This potentially did more harm than good and led to unintended consequences," Associate Professor Lambert said.
"Our study shows that a more inclusive, plant-based approach is not only safe but potentially more beneficial, even for those with advanced kidney disease."
The implications of this research extend beyond immediate health benefits for those suffering from CKD. By improving gut health and reducing toxin levels researchers say the plant-dominant diet approach could potentially slow disease progression and improve overall quality of life for those living with kidney disease.
Associate Professor Lambert said the researchers were excited by their findings. "We're not talking about complex medical procedures or expensive treatments. It's about making straightforward changes to what people eat, focusing on variety and plant-based foods."
"It's a major step forward in how we approach nutrition for people living with chronic kidney disease."