Low carb diet GOOD for you kidneys!

[mcsblues]

A nice change to those 'your kidneys will explode' stories!:)

http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/pdf/1743-7075-3-23.pdf

[Donna7]

"The reversal of the renal function was likely caused by both improved glycemic control and elimination of the patient's obesity." "...the reversal of carbohydrate-induced memory impairment..." "increased feeling of well-being" "poor sleep and chronic fatigue was exchanged for a sound sleep pattern and increased vitality"

So...they are actually saying that low carb improves sleep and energy levels, improves memory, improves blood sugar control, and causes weight loss! And, as a side benefit, helps save a diabetic's kidneys. This is such an encouraging story...thanks for posting it! A good reminder for me...I've already had some renal changes and have not been sticking very closely to plan lately...this inspires me again!
Donna

[cmcole]

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0876/is_2002_Winter/ai_99292199/print

And just for comparison . . . spouting of opposing views:


Are protein diets a safe way to lose weight? An interview with Maria Westberg, R.D - Interview
Q. What is a protein?
A. Protein is found in animal products, and vegetables also have some protein. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are essential to our body's functions of tissue building and repair. Because we cannot make enough amino acids ourselves, we need to eat protein to get "complete" amino acids. Whether the protein is vegetable-derived or animal-based, we need to eat it.
Q. Is there a difference between animal and plant protein?
A. Yes, there is. Vegetable, or plant, protein generally is not complete, so it would not have all of the amino acids there; you would need to combine it with another vegetable protein, and that would complete that protein. For example, rice with beans is a common combination that gives you a complete protein; the rice has a little bit of protein, as do the beans, and together they complement each other.
Q. What is a carbohydrate?
A. A carbohydrate is sugar, basically. It is found in almost everything except in foods that are just protein or just fat. So fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and grains all have carbohydrates in them. There are different types of sugar. There are whole grains, and there are more refined sugars. A carbohydrate gives 4 calories per gram, just as a protein does.
Q. What is the definition of a high-protein diet?
A. The recommended amount is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight; about 15 percent of our calories should come from protein. I would consider a high-protein diet to consist of 30 percent protein or more.
Q. What are the inherent dangers of a high-protein diet?
A. If you are eating a high-protein diet and are not getting enough sugar in your diet, that could lead to ketosis, a process whereby the body is breaking itself down for sugar. It is not an ideal situation; the brain's preferred source of fuel is sugar. The body can break down muscle and fat into sugar, but it prefers to get it from the diet. So if you are not eating enough of the other substances, the other nutrients, that's the danger.
If you eat a lot of protein, you need more water and more fluid intake, because it takes more fluid to digest the protein. You lose more fluids as well with a high-protein diet. Dehydration is a risk.
The big thing is the long-term risk; we don't have any long-term clinical studies on this diet, so we don't know for sure. A high-protein intake does put a lot of stress on the kidneys because these are the organs that have to digest it all and cycle it out. A lot of extra protein goes out in the urine; thus, this can stress the kidneys. For people with kidney disorders, kidney disease, or diabetes, a high-protein intake is more of a risk, but otherwise we don't really know the long-term dangers.
Q. How does too much protein affect the kidneys?
A. Too much protein really overworks the kidneys and can lead to kidney stones, as well, for people who are predisposed to them. Extra urinary calcium secretion can end up as kidney stones.
Q. Is a high-protein diet derived from plants as dangerous as one derived from animals?
A. I think that it would be really difficult to have a high-protein diet derived just from plants, just because the plants do not provide as much protein as animals, per serving. For example, even with soy milk or tofu [bean curd], I think that it would be hard to make it completely high protein. But if you were able to make a high-protein diet that was plant-based, I don't think it would be as dangerous because you don't have all the saturated fat that an animal-based diet would have.
Q. What is the theory behind an increase in protein and weight loss?
A. For one thing, the immediate weight loss you see is mostly water loss, and that can be as much as 10 percent of your weight that you could lose in water after a few days on a high-protein diet. I think that the people who do see a real weight loss after following a high-protein diet are definitely consuming fewer calories and are cutting out other sources of calories in the diet. For instance, refined sugar is the big one that comes to mind first. We get a lot of calories from sugar, whether it's through grains that aren't whole grains, such as rice, potatoes, white bread, cereals, or junk foods. If you cut out all of that, you're probably cutting out a significant amount of calories as it is, so that could lead to a weight loss.
Q. So the immediate weight loss is just water loss? Does this mean that you are not really losing any real body weight?
A. Right, you are not really losing body weight, but the water loss can make you feel lighter. The weight would return as soon as you start eating the way you usually do.
Q. Are liquid high-protein diets more dangerous than solid-food high-protein diets?
A. It depends. If you were getting liquid high-protein diets that are more vegetable-based that do not have saturated fat in them, that would definitely be a plus. Otherwise, I don't think that there is a difference. High protein is high protein, and the only difference I can see would be the saturated fat.
Q. Is a diet that is too high in protein automatically too high in iron?
A. Not necessarily. If you are eating a diet that is mostly vegetable-based, it probably would not be too high in iron. It's difficult to get too much iron from vegetables, even the vegetables that do have iron in them, like spinach and other leafy green vegetables. It is more difficult for your body to absorb that iron [from vegetables] than from animal sources, like beef. I think that beef is probably the biggest iron source, along with liver. (Editor's Note: See Box Below.)
Q. What is the ideal amount of iron in a diet?
A. Most people don't have difficulty getting enough iron these days became it is included in our fortified breakfast cereals and snacks. The people who are at risk for inadequate iron would be young infants, adolescent girls, and women of childbearing age. Men, on the other hand, are at a risk of having too much iron in their diet because they do not regularly lose blood, as women do in their menstrual cycle.
Q. What would happen if you did get too much iron in your diet?
A. The iron would build up and could lead to hemochromatosis, a disorder of iron overloading in the parenchymal tissues
Q. Are there any instances in which a high-protein diet might be useful?
A. Studies have shown that athletes need a little more protein. Whether you're a serious runner, biker, or bodybuilder, you benefit from a little bit more because you are breaking down protein more quickly. It doesn't have a chance to build up. You have to make sure that, after your workouts, you again build up your muscles, which have just been depleted. It helps to have adequate protein in your diet and maybe a little bit more. Around 1.2 grams per kilogram is good for athletes, but they would not need as much as a high-protein diet provides. People who are sick might benefit from a high-protein diet, just because that is how the body builds and repairs. More protein might be ideal for someone who is recovering from a serious illness.
Q. Are there any groups of people who should be more cautious of a high-protein diet?
A. People who are prone to kidney stones, people with kidney disease, or diabetic patients probably should not go on this type of diet.
Q. Should vegetarians and vegans be concerned about getting too much protein?
A. I don't think they should be concerned. One of the concerns of a high-protein diet is that you are not getting enough nutrients from other foods, like fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians certainly would be getting those, so I don't think it's a big problem.
Q. Are there any differences between the protein needs of men and women?
A. It's pretty much the same. Men generally need more protein than women do, but that's only because they tend to be bigger and more muscular. It comes down to about the same, with 15 percent of one's calories derived from protein. Men, on average, eat more calories than women.
Q. Is there a connection between high protein intake and osteoporosis?
A. Yes, some research has shown that high-protein diets may pose a risk for osteoporosis; likewise, too little protein, poses a risk for osteoporosis. So I think that to prevent osteoporosis, ideally you should follow a well-balanced and moderate diet.
Q. Is it possible to lose weight safely and effectively using a high-protein diet accompanied by vitamin and nutrient supplements?
A. That's another controversial question. We don't know for sure. We know that foods are generally the best way to get your nutrients. It is hard to replace the real food with vitamin supplements. You can probably, in theory, get all the nutrients that you need from a supplement, but there might be other good things that certain foods are doing for us that we don't know about yet. We certainly know that if you were not getting enough fiber in your diet, that would be an example of how it wouldn't be good enough to use supplements. Also, you never know what you're getting with a supplement versus good old food.
Q. Have any weight-loss supplements proved safe and effective?
A. Not that I know of. I think we're still waiting for that one.
Q. What exactly does a balanced diet consist of?
A. A diet is balanced when you are not getting not too much or too little of everything--adequate protein, 15 percent; adequate fat, 25 percent; and the rest carbohydrates. The base of it should be whole-grain carbohydrates, such as whole-grain pastas and breads; primarily vegetable-based and plant-based foods; and an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables to get all of the nutrients that you need.
Whether you need dairy foods is controversial, I guess, but you do need something that provides adequate calcium, such as soy milk, definitely a diet that is adequate in protein.
I think that we are beginning to understand that a little bit of fat is also needed and can be good for you and should not be overlooked. We used to say fat-free, but now people realize that having some fat can be healthful for your heart. It's just a matter of having the right type of fat--olive oil or canola oil instead of lard or butter.
Q. What is the safest and most effective way to lose weight?
A. I think, for most people, it's starting with a balanced diet. The bottom line is that if you are eating more calories than you are expending, you are not going to lose weight. Even if you have equilibrium, you are not going to lose weight. The best way to do that is through diet and through exercise. If most people look at their diet, they can usually find areas that can be more fine-tuned. People may think that they are eating a healthful diet, but maybe they do not realize that having 8 ounces of juice every morning is more calories than they need. Maybe they could cut it down to 4 ounces to save calories.
Cutting out refined sugars, whenever possible, and adding in more exercise are good steps. Even if people are exercising every day at the gym and not losing weight, maybe it's a question of their diet, and they might have to makes some lifestyle changes, such as taking the stairs or walking more, all of that fun stuff. It's hard, because we have to fight against our environment, which is quick-paced with no time to sit down and eat a balanced meal.
It's difficult to say the best way for everyone to lose weight, because I think it's individualized. People fall into the same kind of traps, but for most people it is possible to lose weight safely by changing their diet slightly. There are no shortcuts. If you have a dietitian look at your diet and evaluate it, you might be surprised from where you are getting calories.
Portion size is also a problem. Eating out is definitely a way to get more calories than we need. I think people generally eat in a healthier way when they are at home. Restaurants generally cook with fat because food tastes better, and people expect larger portions. Sharing a meal is always a good idea.
Maria Westberg is a Registered Dietitian based in New England
COPYRIGHT 2002 Vegetus Publications
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group

[banshee]

The entire article reads like a propaganda article for the Standard American Diet. :rolleyes:

Q. What are the inherent dangers of a high-protein diet?
A. If you are eating a high-protein diet and are not getting enough sugar in your diet, that could lead to ketosis, a process whereby the body is breaking itself down for sugar. It is not an ideal situation; the brain's preferred source of fuel is sugar. The body can break down muscle and fat into sugar, but it prefers to get it from the diet. So if you are not eating enough of the other substances, the other nutrients, that's the danger.
You know, any time I see this in a document, it immediately makes me wonder how wrong the rest of the article is. It is so common for the media, and even some doctors, to equate ketosis and ketoacidosis. The Wikipedia actually has a pretty good explanation of ketosis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketosis). The entire article is a good read, but there is also a paragraph about the difference between the two. From that article (emphasis mine):

Ketosis, which is a physiological condition in response to chronic starvation, should not be confused with ketoacidosis, which is severe ketosis causing the pH of the blood to drop below 7.2. Ketoacidosis is a medical condition usually caused by diabetes and accompanied by dehydration, hyperglycemia, ketonuria and increased levels of glucagon. The high glucagon, low insulin serum levels signals the body to produce more glucose via gluconeogenesis, glycolysis and ketogenesis. High levels of glucose causes the failure of tubular reabsorption in the kidneys, causing water to leak into the tubules in a process called osmotic diuresis, causing dehydration and further exacerbating the acidosis.
In further Googling, I just realized that the reason even doctors may equate the two is because a lot of the medical definitions *do* equate the two, but in the definitions, they specifically say that the acidosis part is only experienced by those with Type 1 diabetes. In fact, a lot of the definitions have ketosis and ketoacidosis as "nicknames" for the full medical term, which is "diabetic ketoacidosis" or DKA. Yet on the some page, there will often be a link to the "ketogenic diet" for treatment of epilepsy, implying that for those who aren't type 1 diabetics, it's not a dangerous diet. No wonder people are confused!

So after all this Googling, for me, the take home message is that the mild ketosis experienced on a low-carb diet is probably less than the ketosis experienced during extreme fasts/starvation, which is less than the severe ketosis experienced by people with Type 1 diabetes. And only with extreme starvation or actual DKA is the ketosis "dangerous". And actually, as we've all seen from posters who have tried the ketostix, you can be low-carb enough to lose weight without experiencing "ketosis" or at least not enough to show up on the test strips. I can't even count the number of times I've seen posts on various boards where newcomers will say "I've been low-carb for x weeks and I've lost x pounds, but my ketostix aren't turning purple. What am I doing wrong?"

And this just cracked me up:
Q. Is a high-protein diet derived from plants as dangerous as one derived from animals?
A. I think that it would be really difficult to have a high-protein diet derived just from plants, just because the plants do not provide as much protein as animals, per serving. For example, even with soy milk or tofu [bean curd], I think that it would be hard to make it completely high protein. But if you were able to make a high-protein diet that was plant-based, I don't think it would be as dangerous because you don't have all the saturated fat that an animal-based diet would have.

The entire article is talking about the dangers of high protein, but then, without any facts to back it up, the author does an about face and says that if you weren't eating all that nasty saturated fat, you could eat the high protein? :confused: This QA also made me wonder if the article was vegan based - don't eat any of that nasty high protein meat - it could kill you! :eek: :p

[Gabriel Guzman]

Paraphrasing Mike Eades in one of this blog entries you would think that the letters 'R.D.' would make this person any smarter... Nothing but a repetition (and a bad one I might say) of what nutrition books say, which is pretty much, well... wrong.

[ceberezin]

Ketosis, which is a physiological condition in response to chronic starvation, . . .
I am always perplexed by this statement. What are they defining as starvation? They seem to mean low glucose, since ketosis can accompany adequate protein and fat. Is this not a biased definition of starvation?

[deirdra]

The entire article reads like a propaganda article for the Standard American Diet. :rolleyes:Most of the time it seems R.D. after someone's name stands for "Recites Dogma".

And most LCers aren't eating more than 30% protein (Ms. R.D.'s definition of "high protein") anyways.

[mrballs]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060524222717.htm =>3 month study wrt osteoporosis. Also what about Inuit, Masai etc. etc. Did they suffer osteoporosis?