Is a Ketogenic diet actually beneficial for Kidneys

[alexask]

In the same way that eating eggs doesn't cause cholesterol is controlling your blood sugar, rather than a low protein diet key to reversing kidney damage? Ken Berry thinks so. Thoughts?

youtube.com/watch?v=Qadlpyl...(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden]

I don't trust anything Ken Berry says about anything.

He's wrong about so may things I actually know something about I'm not confident with his "cures" for other things.

Why is the answer always keto?

The keto people worship this guy, even when his science is proven to be totally wrong. He has a video on PCOS and it is utter bullshit but, okay.

He gets a big nope from me.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Any diet should be approved by a Doctor or dietitian or else could be detrimental to you.

[Hidden in reply to orangecity41]

Exactly. Not some fast talking snake oil selling internet dude.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

One size does not fit all.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Jerks and stuff like this infuriates me. Yes, he is correct that high levels of glucose are very detrimental on the kidneys. Sugar is passed out through urine. Too much causes damage. This is why diabetes is a main cause of CKD....... HOWEVER...

He is sooooooo wrong about protein. And his condescending comments about undereducated people is insulting. Low protein and the right type of protein has been medically proven to help maintain, and in some cases, retard the progression of CKD. Don't believe me??? Look it up and make sure it is a scientific, evidence based journal article and not some quack like this guy.

[Hidden in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yep. This quack drives me crazy. And he has a huge following! Just because he is right about one thing does not make him right about EVERYTHING! I've had someone try to shove his diet down my throat, so I am especially annoyed by him.🙄

[jodaer]

I don't know this guy so won't comment on him or what he says. I do know about Keto and have had 2 doctors, MDs, recommend it to me. One is my cardio doctor and that surprised me. The other was a lunch and learn about how to "beat" diabetes with an endocrinologist. I've not tried the Keto but for it to be successful you have to get and stay in ketosis. That is tricky and you get what they call the Keto flu to achieve it. Also, once on it you have to stay on it or you will not be in ketosis and then not get the benefits. From what I've read it could be good for diabetics but not so sure for CKD., especially if you have proteinuria. For what it's worth I do not take advice from anyone on UTube.

[userotc]

Wow, he's taken some stick here! Personally we have adopted a low carb approach (NOT keto) for my mum before considering reducing protein intake further - it's already moderate. And, based on results to date, we've not yet elected to adopt the latter. But we're open-minded so would consider it, if required.

[Darlenia]

This doctor is spot on .... if your kidney disease is due to diabetes or hypertension (which is often the outcome of diabetes). To the man's credit, he preferences this in his vlog at the very top. Indeed, diabetes causes glucose levels to rise and forces blood vessels to narrow and break down which then leads to poor filtration of toxins by your kidneys (as well as, often raising blood pressure in that process) - and more. Please note - the only function for carbs and sugars is to produce glucose. So staying away from these two items as much as possible is essential if you want to lead a long, trouble-free life as a diagnosed diabetic. The only issue I have with this doctor's comments is his reference to the "ketogenic" diet. That diet is for those who are overweight - by so severely restricting carbs that the body is forced into "ketosis" to only burn fat. For those diabetics who are at target or below normal weight, I personally don't recommend doing this. As a matter of fact, the number of your personal daily carb allowance should be given to you by the physicians on your team - nutritionists or dieticians can't provide that figure. So always check with those most knowledgeable for this or any other diet. The vlogger is also correct that the breakdown of filtration vessels inside the kidneys means that the kidneys then "spill" protein into your urine and/or blood. Indeed, protein is the fallout, not the cause of one's challenged kidneys for those with diabetes and high blood pressure. This said, it takes around a decade or two for poorly controlled glucose to wipe out one's kidneys (or one's heart, bladder, toes, eyesight, etc.). With the proper attention, the downhill slide can be stopped as the doctor indicated. Please don't take it casually. As our dialysis center stated, "Almost everyone here are diabetics." My hubby has dearly paid the price and continues to pay the price (dialysis, transplant, and more). As his spouse, I have have been drawn into his struggles too; it takes a toll. Please love yourself and those surrounding and looking over you. Your diabetes matters to everyone - a lot.

[userotc in reply to Darlenia]

Well said. I agree with all - except that physicians should advise on carbs rather than nutritionists (or even dieticians). Physicians/medics are untrained & unqualified in nutrition, specialising in drugs.

Personally I believe that one should listen only to nutritional therapists (I have 2 reasons for excluding dieticians). I think you mean someone who knows you personally and I'd agree 100% with that. So personalised advice from a qualified and specialised NT is best imo.

[Darlenia in reply to userotc]

Our "dietitican" had no idea how to integrate a diabetes diet and a renal diet. She went on and on extolling all the benefits of white rice, white bread, and more - the stock language we see on parade everywhere but so negative for diabetics - the largest population with kidney disease. Our nephrologist and dialysis center tried to get her to update her knowledge, but to no avail. In the US, most medical folks receive, across the board, about the same amount of nutrition education-which is indeed limited. But, trust me, a well educated and responsible doctor, e.g. a diabetes endocrinologist, who has experienced all the effects of glucose in producing the highs (comas) and lows (hypoglycemia) and watched the progression of the disease will know far more than anyone else. These doctors, who have the capability to prescribe, also know the delicate interplay of medications and illnesses on the body - some of which really drive sugars in shocking ways. They are in the best position to know and fine tune one's prescriptions and carb limits. This said, Europe may have better nutrition education than the US. We are located in the US.

[userotc in reply to Darlenia]

Qualified Nutritional Therapists generally receive 3y+ education and should be approved by BANT - the gold standard. So personally I'd put my trust in one of them albeit only after researching their specialisms etc. (as for any practitioner).

The story you outlined confirms that dieticians can be limited. I recently read similar "advice" on white rice, white bread and lemonade on an NHS Patient Access site - it was from a dietician to which they are generally intrinsically linked.