Posted on 11/09/2024 8:37:19 PM PST by ConservativeMind
In patients with chronic kidney disease, the loss of podocytes—part of the kidney's glomerular filtration barrier—causes irreversible disease progression. So far, physicians and researchers have found no way to effectively prevent podocyte damage, loss, and deterioration leading to end-stage kidney disease.
Laura Perin, Ph.D. conducted a study that is offering promising results.
They fed animal models with chronic kidney disease a specialized low-salt, fasting-mimicking diet (LS-FMD) equivalent to the recommended daily intake for human patients with chronic kidney disease.
The researchers found that six cycles of this diet slowed the deterioration of kidney structures and function in rodents. Crucially, it induced the reprogramming of podocytes and restored the filtration structures of kidneys.
The animals that received dietary interventions had a significant reduction in albumin-to-creatine ratio (ACR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) at four and six weeks after six diet cycles, as well as a significant reduction in glomerular and tubular injury, compared to freely fed rodents.
"When we examined these animal models, we found that long-term kidney function and structure was improved," says Dr. Perin. "The transcriptional profile of the major kidney structures resembled those of a healthy rat. We saw evidence on the molecular and cellular level that this fasting-mimicking diet induces podocyte reprogramming and restores renal function in glomerulopathy."
In a pilot study in 13 patients with chronic kidney disease, cycles of the fasting-mimicking diet were kidney-protective, including reducing proteinuria and improving endothelial function compared with patients who did not receive dietary intervention.
"These results show that FMD cycles can promote reprogramming/regeneration in mice and rats but also increase circulating progenitor cells in humans, so they should be tested further for treatment," says Dr. Longo.
"This fasting-mimicking diet seems to induce changes in gene expression that slow kidney degradation, suggesting potential interventions for patients with chronic kidney disease."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
There are actual premade diet packages that can be bought from places like Amazon that officially meet what you need for these multi-day, very low calorie (not complete fasting), meals.
I would use them with a doctor’s oversight, if having such health issues, but it helped these 13 people, after cycling through the diet for several occasions.
Interesting, although it doesn’t mention which type of CKD was involved. The one I’m most familiar with has reversible podocyte erosion by treating with Prednisone. A low sodium, limited protein diet is also prescribed, but the very low calorie diet mentioned here is new.
I have FSGS, and it progressed beyond control by the time I was 21; I was diagnosed at 16. I had some trouble balancing my creatinine after my transplant almoat ten years ago (on the 20th this month), but since I’ve started working and allow myself a maximun 8-hour window to eat during my day, my creatinine has been well-balanced at aout 1.5. Not perfect, but I hovered at 2.5 and higher for almost five years after a car accident. That lap belt really caused some stress.
I also cook more and watch sodium and buy foods that have minimal preservatives. I do love my soda, so I buy the Mexican-made ones with real sugar, or Pepsi with real sugar. It really is just fizzy flavored sugar water, no corn syrup or other garbage.
I sleep better, too. I had horrible insomnia. I’m still awake at night, because my circadian rhythm is off, but I do actually sleep; it’s just during the day. I’ve tried for almost 15 years to swap back, but I can’t seem to. It’s better than only getting two hours a night solid, even with Ambien (which I never recommend starting unless you’re terminal; it’s habit-forming, and Belsomra is worse).
Might be something to this.
Make sure your Mexican colas don’t have phosphoric acid as an ingredient.
Real sugar soda is better for you (relatively) than hfcs soda, yep. Tastes a great deal better as well. If you can get it without phosphorous in it, even better.
I don’t drink sodas regularly anymore, maybe once or twice a year. When I do, its a small specialty soda without phosphorous, real sugar, real natural flavors. A real nice cherry cream soda with natural flavors.
As someone who spent three years on dialysis and then came off AND without a transplant, I can attest that it works.
I improved my kidney function by making several lifestyle changes such as......
-almost permanent fasting on a 1000 calorie a day diet
-limiting my protein to absolutely no more than the target for my body weight
-eliminating most all processed foods and meats
-moving from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis
-aerobic exercise of a minimum of an hour every day -- often more
I did this from my own research and without encouragement from my docs. I was told I would spend the remainder of my life on dialysis. I refused to accept it. I agree that this will not work for everyone. But for non-chronic kidney failure (PKD, Alport, etc.) it sure worked for me!
How would you like to further increase your eGFR by 15%?
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4064151/posts
Are you on metformin? If so, start eating oyster or maitake (Hen of the Woods) mushrooms and possibly see further reversal:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221007034
Less than 16g protein per day, with maybe 50-100g carbs, and rest non-animal fats. Some nutrient dense veggies, with avocados and macadamia nuts. I take some supplements, but no collagen as it’s protein.
For me it’s very easy to do as I’ve done 3 day water fasts for decades.
By how many points did your eGFR improve with this? It would seem to be 20-30 points.
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