Intermittent Fasting: has anyone done this... - Early CKD Support

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Intermittent Fasting

Butchga62 profile image
22 Replies

has anyone done this having kidney disease and did it help or not. Looking to loose some weight and thought this might be easiest?

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Butchga62 profile image
Butchga62
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22 Replies
Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer

HI,

I have been intermitting fasting for over four years. Did I lose weight from doing that? Maybe. I did the first year change my diet completely and started not eating from 5:30ish to 11:30 ish the next day. At first, it was hard, and I would have stomach grumbles. But now, it is a habit and I do not want food until late morning. Did I continue to lose weight. No, but I stabilized my weight and for the most part kept the weight off. But I really think this was due to what I was eating, or not eating. The issue with intermittent fasting is become hydrated. I drink a huge amount of water first thing in the morning over an extended time. (Never drink a ton of water in one sitting). I also do technically break the fast when I have coffee about 9 ish. The mornings now that I have a exercise class, I have to eat something before, or my sugar will crash. Which reminds me, for those who are reading this, if you have diabetes, you need to check with your doctor because not eating for a prolonged time and then eating can wreck havoc on your sugar levels. I am diabetic, but have gotten my A1c down to 5.6 for over a year and I have been fasting for a long time. The other thing to check is do any medications you take require you eat food. That can make a difference too. You might find by not eating at night more than anything will help you lose weight. When you start up in the morning can be extended over time as you go so you can get used to it. Good luck,

Butchga62 profile image
Butchga62 in reply toBassetmommer

So this didn’t interfere with kidney disease. That’s what I am concerned about. What to eat not to eat. So u basically don’t start eating until 1130 and stop at 5. What do I eat?

Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer in reply toButchga62

No, intermittent fasting was good for my KD. Actually, my Nephrologist suggested it. But like I said, I do not think that it really impacted weight loss. What did? If you are really serious about losing weight, the best thing to do is track your food. But you have to be diligent and honest. If you have a snack, like a small piece of cheese, you have to log it. Everything that crossed my lips was recorded and pretty soon you see where to cut down. By logging your food, you learn very quickly what is high calorie and what you can eat a lot of. I learned a lot of all different types of foods and their nutritional values. I stopped eating red meat in 1986 so that was no big deal. But I ate chicken and very limited fish. When I first started my CKD diet, egg whites were on my daily diet. I ate a ton, and I mean ton, of salad with spray olive oil and balsamic dressing. I ate veggies of all kinds and limited pasta. My diet was pretty restrictive. Then in 2021 I went plant based. Oh boy was that hard. I found out that it is also not great long term. I was down to 30 mg of protein daily. For long term, that was too little and about a year and half later, it was impacting my energy and muscles. So I added back in limited eggs and chicken. When I say limited, I have eggs maybe once a week and mostly egg whites, and chicken maybe once a week, or less. I cute way down of cheese and never was successful in elminiating it completely. Diet is hard for long term. It takes perserverance and strength, and it is extremely hard when your family is not eating the same thing. Holidays take their toll. Logging food is a pain in the butt.

But.... my CKD decline really slowed down. I was told five years ago that I would be on dialysis in six months. Diet prevented that. I am still not on dialysis and remain stage 4-5. My other lab values such as lipids are amazing. My cholesterol is fabulous. I have tons of energy now, and I take an exercise class two days a week and walk 2 miles daily.

Is it worth it? You Betcha!

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

In the US the NKF publishes guideline for physicians called KIDGO. For the FIRST time the updated 2020 guidelines included an entire section on nutrition. They do this in partnership with the ASN (American Society of Nephrologist) and a slew of Renal dietitian. The current “recommended diet is the Mediterranean and I can provide studies if needed. It is a balance or trade off as many who try the VLPD are unable to sustain such a drastic modification of their diet. THEIR research shows diet make very little difference (compliance is the biggest issue) due to the failure of many to be able to sustain such a drastic change in intake. Unfortunately the most common source de affect of our affliction as it worsens is the chronic fatigue. The VLPD diet exacerbates this and leads to a general feeling of malaise . It just so happens in MY SPECIFIC CKD disease diet and don’t as important as HBP maintenance. BUT THAT IS FOR ME!

The advice from Bassettmommer is spot on as usual! AS ALWAYS before anything goes in the mouth TALK TO your trusted doc! If you don’t have one get one ASAP! Finally, as always my best to you on your CKD journey!

HisLittleOne profile image
HisLittleOne

it absolutely helps! My eGFR increased 30 points while I did intermittent fasting 16 hours a day. I read some articles that discuss the benefits of IF to kidney function. You might want to check it out. I will continue with my 16/8 intermittent fasting as it brings a great deal of benefit to my health in many ways.

milo_miller profile image
milo_miller

if you want to loose weight you should just watch your carb intake. Nothing else will help you. It is about very basic body biochemistry. I lost 10 kgs sticking to low carb diet. My net carb intake is around 30-40 gr. I reversed my diabet too

Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer in reply tomilo_miller

The problem with low carb is many substitute protein in place. Very bad idea for CKD. Carbs get a bad rap because people eat so much of them. But there are good carbs. All veggies have some carbs. Carbs can be beneficial if you add fiber products like whole wheat. Carbs give you energy. They fill in when you are on a low protein diet. I lost weight by managing calorie count. What has more calories...100 calories of pasta or 100 calories of lettuce? Of course they both are the same. But you can have more lettuce. BUT that gets old real quick.

milo_miller profile image
milo_miller in reply toBassetmommer

Not low calorie but low carb. Because reducing cal doesn’t work. As you reduce your cal so basal metabolism reduces cal consumption up to 40%. So no gain. Actually there is no good carb if you are diabetic. Good carb is low carb. In case of protein, I get my protein from tofu which has also very low carb

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989 in reply tomilo_miller

I think you missed Bassetmommer’s point. Those of us with CKD especially stage 3 abd worse nut LIMIT protein intake in our diets and as such CANNOT (or should not) eat a high protein diet. It is a very basic relationship. The more protein filtered by the kidneys in kidney disease suffers the more kidney nephrons are destroyed. It’s not that ALL proteins cause that as we need it too just too much protein (such as following the current in-fad high protein diets) cause kidney cell destruction. Thus, you recommendation should not be implemented by CKD patients as it truly harmful. I’m not trying to single you out or be a jerk, just to inform you that while your information may be correct and applicable to most, it isn’t the correct advice for CKD patients. Just a FYI.

gjd1 profile image
gjd1 in reply toBassetmommer

Hi,I wonder if you could point me in the direction of any RCT study that proves eating meat causes CKD? Protein in the urine is not caused by diet. However if you can show me a proper randomized controlled trial that proves otherwise I might change my mind. My Best

Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer in reply togjd1

Wow, I do not know what is going on with this thread but it seems a bit aggressive. NO ONE said meat causes CKD. (Although there is some evidence based info that suggests it) What is being said that once diagnosed, lowering your protein consumption takes the stress off of the kidneys. You still need protein. But protein is not all the same. The hardest on the kidney is animal and especially red meat. Meat causes an increase in uric acid levels and YES That does cause CKD and makes it worse once diagnosed. It took me less than two minutes to come up with the below scientific journal articles.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/292...

healio.com/news/nephrology/...

renalandurologynews.com/hom...

reuters.com/article/us-heal...

vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/diet...

gjd1 profile image
gjd1 in reply toBassetmommer

Sorry if you found my question aggressive? that was controlled trials that show animal protein to be harmful to kidneys. You have provided articles which s you know is not the same as a properly conducted RCT. Perhaps we should leave it there if you find it aggressive.

Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer in reply togjd1

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/865...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/107...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/211...

gjd1 profile image
gjd1 in reply toBassetmommer

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

journals.plos.org/plosone/art...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...

academic.oup.com/jn/article/1...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NB...

Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer in reply togjd1

oh man, every single one of these would not open for me..... I am curious to see what you found.

gjd1 profile image
gjd1 in reply toBassetmommer

Higher Protein Intake Is Not Associated with Decreased Kidney Function in Pre-Diabetic Older Adults Following a One-Year Intervention-A Preview Sub-Study. / A Systematic Review of Renal Health in Healthy Individuals Associated with Protein Intake above the US Recommended Daily Allowance in Randomized Controlled Trials and Observational Studies try these copy and paste if they won't open.not sure why the others are showing error code

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989 in reply togjd1

This references a RCT in the KDOQI Guidelines for Physicians on Nutrition published in 2020 updated in 2021…from the analysis:

"Most of the protein we eat comes from meat like fish or poultry, but you'll find smaller amounts of protein in things like grains and vegetables," said Melanie Becks, a kidney dietitian. "Plant proteins are easier on the kidneys because they tend to create less acid during metabolism– either a net zero or negative acid load, whereas animal proteins tend to have a huge acid load."The consequences of a high-protein diet and a large acid load can be severe."High protein can cause intraglomerular hypertension which results in glomerular hyperfiltration and glomerular injury. Some proteins may produce more acid than others which increases ammonia genesis and overall work of the kidney," said Dr. Bryan Tucker. "It is also associated with more tubulointerstitial injury, which may be attenuated with a low protein diet."

The article:

kidney.org/newsletter/kidne...

I’ll link the guidelines in a separate post.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989 in reply togjd1

Here are the studies referenced in the KDOQI Guidelines:

Except:

Vegetable protein diets (VPDs) may have beneficial effects on health. A recent population-based study suggested that soy or soy isoflavones intake significantly reduced the risk for postmenopausal breast cancer.195 Oxidative stress significantly decreased in postmenopausal women when treated with VPDs (soy isoflavones), and in vitro experiments have shown that a VPD protects against inflammation in vascular endothelial cells.196 These findings lead to the development of preventive strategies for human health and disease. For example, the US Food and Drug Administration suggested that intake of 25 g of soy protein daily may prevent the risk for coronary heart disease due to reduced serum lipid and lipoprotein levels.In patients with CKD, VPDs may have positive biological actions and possibly clinical benefits through a variety of mechanisms. In vitro studies showed that VPDs reduce the expression of renin-angiotensin.197 Studies in rodents demonstrated that VPDs retard the development and progression of CKD, versus animal protein diets (APDs),198 presumably through favorable effects on GFR. In addition, a vegetarian diet was associated with a significant reduction in serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels in CKD patients not receiving dialysis.199As a result, it was thought that VPDs may be used in helping to reduce phosphorus load and potentially CKD progression in this group of patients.Detailed JustificationThree RCTs (CKD 5D) and 2 randomized crossover (stages 3-4 CKD) trials compared the impact of vegetable-based protein (VPD) versus animal-based protein (APD) intake on biomarkers and health outcomes in patients with CKD.

Link: ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386...

Ace_the_pug profile image
Ace_the_pug

Hi Butchga62

I was diagnosed stage 2 ckd last October 22, egfr 66, was 63, 10 years ago, but wasn’t flagged with me by gp. I started IF 16/8, in September 2022. My blood pressure dropped since IF, however since being diagnosed ckd I stopped eating red meat and drinking, although only drank a couple of glasses of red per week. Also watched my salt intake and cut down protein. But eat chicken 2 or 3 times per week with portion control. Try to eat a plant diet as much as I can, but can be difficult.

Got my latest blood test today, to say I’m elated is an understatement, egfr 90, creatinine 84, was 111. HbA1c 37.

I think IF has helped with a big change in diet and 2 litres of water a day. This will be me for life.

Just sharing my story, appreciate everyone is in a different position but hope it helps.

Butchga62 profile image
Butchga62

so not to sound ignore t I don’t quite understand. You eat like from 10-6 and fast the other 16 hours. What do u eat. I am bad about not getting my water in.

Ace_the_pug profile image
Ace_the_pug in reply toButchga62

so I eat from 12 noon till 8 pm, then fast until 12 noon. They key thing for me is that I eat healthy and if I feel hungry I eat fruit, apples, grapes, pineapples. I use an app called Fastic to help remind me when to start and stop fasting, as well as keeping a track of water/fluid intake.

I eat salad at lunch time with chicken, salmon or just plant based. In the evening I’ve been eating tofu with noodles, quorn, bean burgers, stuffed mushrooms etc… not easy being a carnivore but my wife is really supportive, why helps immensely.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

I just read this like 2 minutes ago and thought it might be relevant to this discussion. Here is the link:

healio.com/news/cardiology/...

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