Is Keto Hard On Kidneys

Is A Keto Diet Safe For The Kidneys

The Ketogenic Diet occupies a unique place in nutrition science across the world in the sense that it has the largest number of devotees and the largest number of critics at the same time. The unfortunate truth is that both camps pro and against are RIGHT! The school of thought that vehemently advocates the Ketogenic Lifestyle has undoubtedly experienced the sheer transformational power of this diet both physical and mental health parameters.

Its become widespread and the market is filled with brands that claim to be the best. Well, if you are planning to get fit, you may well be interested in a Ketogenic diet.The camp that thinks that Ketogenic Diet is an unhealthy fad is also right The Ketogenic Diet can indeed have harmful effects BUT only when it is improperly and carelessly executed. This improper execution is something that takes away the essence of the Keto Diet and leads to various misconceptions regarding the same.

The opposition of a Ketogenic Diet is actually an opposition to an improperly executed Ketogenic Diet. The problem, therefore, lies with the improper, unguided and haphazard Ketogenic Diet Plan.Its been observed that the ILL EFFECTS of a Ketogenic Diet that some people experience are actually the ILL EFFECTS OF A BADLY EXECUTED KETOGENIC DIET.

Keto Diet And Kidneys

1. A Keto Diet is high in fat, not protein.

2. People with normal kidney function can only handle excess protein.

The Takeaways

We wish you good luck with your keto health regime!

May Cause Digestive Issues And Changes In Gut Bacteria

Since the keto diet restricts carbs, it can be difficult to meet your daily fiber needs.

Some of the richest sources of fiber, such as high carb fruits, starchy vegetables, whole grains, and beans, are eliminated on the diet because they provide too many carbs.

As a result, the keto diet can lead to digestive discomfort and constipation.

A 10-year study in children with epilepsy on the ketogenic diet found that 65% reported constipation as a common side effect .

Whats more, fiber feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Having a healthy gut may help boost immunity, improve mental health, and decrease inflammation .

A low carb diet thats lacking in fiber, such as keto, may negatively affect your gut bacteria although current research on this topic is mixed .

Some keto-friendly foods that are high in fiber include flax seeds, chia seeds, coconut, broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy greens.

summary

Due to its carb restrictions, the keto diet is often low in fiber. This may trigger constipation and negative effects on gut health.

Keto Diet And Stage 3 Kidney Disease

For stage 3 kidney disease and earlier, the keto diet may show some promise.

One study had 92 patients with an average BMI of 33.8 follow a very-low-calorie ketogenic diet. The diet included 450-800 calories per day with a high protein intake of 1.0-1.4 grams per kilogram of body weight. The diet protocol lasted for approximately 15 weeks.

Of the 92 participants in this study, 38 were classified as early CKD stage 2. The creatinine in this group was stable.

Some of the participants reported full recovery of kidney function. The authors, however, also acknowledged that several factors, including the weight loss itself, as a factor of the change in kidney function.

The study also emphasized the importance of the diet as a medically supervised diet. This is due to the intense level of progress monitoring to prevent deficiencies and potentially exacerbate any health issues.

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Is Ketosis Hard On The Kidneys

There is a debate raging on about the potential effects of ketosis on the kidney, and this has been a deterrent to many people interested in the diet because of the fears of hurting their kidneys. It is a valid concern and we would like to point out that if you are interested in reaping the benefits of ketosis, if you do it correctly and as recommended by the experts, then you will have nothing to worry about as far as negative side effects to your kidney is concerned. There are very few studies that have given a correlation between the diet and damage to the kidney and they are not adequate to a draw a line and declare ketosis hard on the kidney.

Ketosis happens to be one of the most misunderstood and maligned concepts when it comes to dieting and nutrition in general. This is particularly the case with researchers who dont take time to interact with patients or those in need of actual nutrition and dietary advice. In most cases, ketosis is confused with ketoacidosis a condition characterized by an unusual buildup of ketones as a result of muscle wasting and dehydration which is usually occasioned by Type 1 diabetes.

In what is considered as perhaps the highest protein intake ever studied, an average of 2,263 calories was consumed by an average bodybuilder for 10 weeks, out of which 71% was from proteins. It was observed that the bodybuilders weight dropped from 168lbs to 139lbs and his body fat also reduced from 16% to 4.4%.

May Lead To Nutrient Deficiencies

Since the keto diet restricts several foods, especially nutrient-dense fruits, whole grains, and legumes, it may fail to provide recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals.

In particular, some studies suggest that the keto diet doesnt provide enough calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and phosphorus .

A study that evaluated the nutrient composition of common diets revealed that very low carb eating patterns like Atkins, which is similar to keto, provided sufficient amounts for only 12 of the 27 vitamins and minerals your body needs to obtain from food .

Over time, this may lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Notably, guidelines for clinicians who manage people on a very low calorie keto diet for weight loss recommend supplementing with potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, psyllium fiber, and vitamins B, C, and E .

Keep in mind that the nutritional adequacy of this diet depends on the specific foods that you eat. A diet rich in healthy low carb foods, such as avocados, nuts, and non-starchy vegetables, provides more nutrients than processed meats and keto treats.

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Some studies suggest that keto provides insufficient vitamins and minerals, including potassium and magnesium. Over time, this could lead to nutrient deficiencies.

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Are These Results Also Seen In Humans

This is where the scientific proof gets a weaker.

One study has shown possible benefits of a keto diet for people with PKD, but there was no control group in this study. The researchers asked 131 people with ADPKD who had chosen to follow a keto diet for over 6 months about their symptoms. This is quite a biased way to do a study because people choosing of their own accord to use these diets are likely to believe in the benefits. Nonetheless, 80% reported an improvement in their overall health and 64% reported an improvement in ADPKD symptoms. Most lost a significant amount of weight too and 64% had a reduction in blood pressure.

More interesting still, almost two-thirds of the patients had improved kidney function. In this group with an improvement, an average increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate of 3.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 was seen between two measures taken 6 months apart. This is equivalent to a 3.6% increase in kidney function. However, the remaining third of patients had a decline in kidney function or no change.

A group in California has designed a ketogenic diet for people with ADPKD. This is called the Ren.Nu program. Based on the theory that a diet high in carbohydrate and animal protein might speed ADPKD progression, the Ren.Nu diet is a plant-focussed ketogenic diet. However, no clinical trial has been done to assess the benefits or risks of this diet.

What Should I Eat To Avoid Kidney Stones

The high acidic blood and urine mean stones in the kidney. To prevent your body from kidney stone formation, you must not take the food that contains high-purine like shellfish, organ meats, red meats and others. You must follow a healthy diet that is based on fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains.

To avoid this problem on keto, you must focus on combining oxalate and calcium-rich food because both of them can deduct the harms of each other. So, you are safe to eat these types of food.

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Myth : Ketosis = Ketoacidosis

Many people confuse ketosis and ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous physiological state and occurs when you have high levels of both ketones and blood sugar, which causes the blood to become too acidic. As a result, damage can be done to the kidneys.

Ketoacidosis usually only occurs in those with Type 1 diabetes. If you have any insulin in your body at all, you will not go into ketoacidosis.

On the other hand, ketosis is completely safe and natural physiological state. Ketosis will not acidify your blood or damage your kidneys.

In fact, most research shows a ketogenic diet may actually support healthy kidney function! So then what actually causes kidney disease?

My Life Changed After Getting Older And Having Children

Is Keto Hard on Kidneys I managed to stay fit and healthy when I was younger. In college, I loved nothing more than wearing a bikini and going to the beach with my friends.

I WAS RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO GET BACK THE BODYI USED TO HAVE Is Keto Hard on Kidneys

One day I was feeling really down on myself after reading an article that basically said my height and weight meant I was morbidly obese. My husband was sitting at the kitchen table so I asked him a simple question .

Mark this website says Im really fatDo you think of me that way?But Mom You Are Fat!And It Wasnt Because I Wasnt Trying My BEST!Doomed To A Life Of Being Overweight!

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Blood Sugars And Insulin

The second top cause of kidney disease is diabetes, which means many people with kidney disease may require insulin.

The ketogenic diet shifts the livers primary role of insulin regulation with ketone generation. This means insulin levels produced can change drastically.

In conclusion, if you are already requiring insulin, whether its for type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you absolutelyneed to speak with your doctor and dietitian before trying a ketogenic diet. Studies are mixed about whether or not the keto diet is effective for diabetes.

Ketosis vs. Ketoacidosis

The body is using fat instead of glucose for energy when in ketosis. This is a normal and intentional state as its caused by the normal body reaction to a diet change.

Ketoacidosis, however, is where the body produces excessive amounts of ketones. This, in turn, makes the body more acidic. People with diabetes can experience diabetic ketoacidosis. Those with type 1 diabetes are more at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis as there is no insulin produced with T1DM.

As mentioned above, the standard range for ketones in ketosis is up to 3.0 mmol/L. Anything above that can be serious and require medical attention. Diabetic ketoacidosis can occur when ketone levels are above 3 mmol/L.

The risk for developing diabetic ketoacidosis increases with higher ketone levels and blood sugar above 250 mg/dL. The keto diet is generally not recommended for anyone with type 1 diabetes due to the need for tight insulin control.

How Kidneys Are Damaged

Many different diseases, drugs, toxins, and inherited disorders can lead to kidney damage.

However, by far the two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which can damage the kidneys delicate blood vessels and tissues.1

When the root causes of these two diseases are not addressed, chronic kidney disease and ultimately kidney failure can be the result. In the US, diabetes causes 44%, and high blood pressure causes 29% of all cases of end-stage kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.2

Why does this happen?

In the case of diabetes, high blood sugars over long periods of time can cause glucose to bind to vital proteins in the bloodstream. This process, known as glycation, results in the formation of advanced glycation end-products . AGEs can cause abnormal changes to proteins and to receptors that ultimately injure the filtering segments of the kidney. This glycation creates a vicious cycle of additional injuries to tissues that results in progressive kidney damage, called diabetic nephropathy.3

With high blood pressure, the problem is simply too much pressure. Exposing the delicate filtering portion of kidneys to blood that is moving too hard and fast causes scarring, which damages the kidneys. This results in a loss of kidney function, leading to chronic kidney disease or eventually kidney failure.4

Takeaway:

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To Keto Or Not To Keto

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is one of a series of trendy low-carbohydrate diets that include the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet and the Zone diet. It was developed at the Mayo Clinic in 1924 as a treatment for epilepsy in children. In recent years the ketogenic diet has made a comeback and today, medical teams are once again using it as a therapy for epileptic kids whose seizures do not respond to medications. The medical ketogenic diet relies on precise ratios of fat to protein and carbohydrates so it requires careful monitoring by a medical team. This is because the diet is not balanced and can lead to nutrient deficiencies among other things.

The keto diet got its name from ketones, which are the source of energy that the body uses when its burning fat. The goal of the keto diet is to put the patient in a state of ketosis through a diet thats high in fat and ultra-low in carbs with moderate amounts of protein. In simple terms, ketosis occurs when there is a metabolic shift, where the body uses fat as the primary energy source instead of carbs.

The keto diet is NOT a high-protein diet. It is a low-carb, high-fat diet typically containing a percentage of total calories as follows: 5% carbohydrates, 75% fat, 20% protein. By contrast, National Health Guidelines suggests intaking 45-65% carbohydrates, 20-35% fat, and 10-35% of protein.

Another Fad?

Nutrient Deficiencies

Long-Term Effects?

Sensible Eating is Best

To Keto or Not to Keto?

Can Keto Dieting Damage Your Kidneys

While some studies indicate that kidney damage may be possible due to a large amount of protein and fats ingested, most research shows that there is no correlation between the keto diet and kidney damage in people with normally functioning kidneys. It is true that too much protein causes the kidneys to work harder however, the goal of keto is not mass amounts of protein but instead, keeping carbohydrate intake as low as possible.

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Plan Out Meals And Snacks

One of the biggest challenges in sticking with a ketogenic diet absolutely requires a plan. Therefore, meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking are essential in sticking to a keto diet .

Be sure to have healthy snacks planned out and easily available. This can be incredibly helpful when it comes to preparation and satisfying hunger when you dont have the time or energy to make a meal.

Ketosis & Kidney Failure

Ketosis happens when your body resorts to fat for energy after your stored carbohydrates have been burned out. It often occurs when people fast and exercise. But most commonly, ketosis occurs in people who eat low-carb, high-protein diets, which are also called ketogenic diets.

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There’s some evidence that ketosis can tax your kidneys, leading to kidney stones and low blood pressure. In diabetics, a variant of ketosis can be fatal. However, a small but growing group of health professionals say ketosis is not the poison you’ve been lead to think it was, and it may be better for you than high-carbohydrate eating. Your specific dietary habits are best advised by your healthcare provider or nutritionist.

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Macronutrients Of The Keto Diet

The ratio of nutrients that are in the keto diet are quite different from the standard healthy eating guidelines.

There can be some flexibility on the percentages of protein and fat, but rarely carbohydrates.

In the keto diet, the carbohydrate intake per day should remain below 20 grams. Therefore, the carbs in a keto diet could look like just an apple for the day.

The Atkins diet, a variation of the ketogenic diet, is similar in nutritional breakdown of macronutrients compared to the keto diet. However, the main difference between keto and Atkins diet is that the Atkins diet is significantly higher in protein than the keto diet.

Bowel Problems Such As Constipation Are Also Common On Keto

Lets talk about a keto side effect that may not be so sexy: constipation. Many of the richest sources of fiber, like beans, fruit, and whole grains are restricted on the ketogenic diet, says Clark. As a result, ketogenic eaters miss out on the benefits of fiber-rich diet such as regular laxation and microbiome support. The microbiome has been implicated in everything from immune function to mental health. Indeed, in a long-term study in t he Journal of Pediatrics in April 2015, constipation was noted as a very common side effect in children receiving ketogenic diets for epilepsy treatment.

In addition to constipation, diarrhea can crop up as a side effect of the keto diet especially in the first few weeks of following it. Some people have difficulty digesting large amounts of dietary fat, which can lead to greasy diarrhea, notes Yawitz.

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Keto Could Cause Your Blood Sodium To Dip

When you start the keto diet, you lose sodium and other electrolytes in the urine due to reductions in insulin, says Yawitz. This is a major contributor to symptoms of keto flu. So its important to replenish sodium through the diet, especially if you exercise or sweat a lot. This can help ward off more serious side effects that are seen with long-term sodium deficiencies, says Yawitz. These include lethargy and confusion and in extreme cases, seizures, coma, and death, according to the Mayo Clinic.