Ket And Kidney Stones: What's The Connection?

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has been around since the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy. Today, it is touted as a remedy for everything from infertility to type 2 diabetes and as a way to lose weight. However, the diet has been linked to kidney stones, with research observing that among children following the keto diet as a treatment for epilepsy, 13 out of 195 subjects developed kidney stones.

The keto diet can cause a higher risk of kidney stones because it often involves a high intake of animal foods, which can cause your blood and urine to become more acidic, leading to increased excretion of calcium in your urine. Studies also suggest that the keto diet reduces the amount of citrate that is released in your urine. Given that citrate can bind to calcium and prevent the formation of kidney stones, reduced levels of it may also raise your risk of developing them.

Additionally, people with chronic kidney disease should avoid keto, as weakened kidneys may be unable to remove the acid buildup in the blood that results from these animal foods. This can lead to a state of acidosis, which can worsen the progression of chronic kidney disease.

The keto diet can cause kidney stones in children with epilepsy

The ketogenic diet has been used to treat epilepsy in children since the 1920s. While it can be effective, it is associated with several adverse effects, including kidney stones.

Kidney stones are a well-documented side effect of the ketogenic diet. Research has shown that among children following the keto diet as a treatment for epilepsy, 13 out of 195 subjects developed kidney stones. This equates to a 6.8% incidence rate. A separate meta-analysis found a similar incidence rate of 5.8% in children.

The keto diet is high in fat and protein and very low in carbohydrates. This imbalance can lead to an increased risk of kidney stones for several reasons. Firstly, the diet is typically lacking in fruits and vegetables, which are important for kidney stone prevention. These foods produce alkali during metabolism, helping to neutralise the acid produced from protein metabolism. They are also a source of citrate, a powerful inhibitor of kidney stones, and potassium, which can be found in urine and inhibits kidney stone formation.

Secondly, the keto diet can cause excessive protein intake, leading to a dramatic drop in urine pH. This creates an acidic environment that increases the likelihood of uric acid and calcium oxalate kidney stones. Excess protein can also increase urine calcium, another risk factor for kidney stones.

Additionally, the keto diet restricts calcium-rich foods such as milk and yoghurt, which are key to kidney stone prevention. Calcium reduces oxalate absorption from food and is linked to a 50% reduced risk of kidney stones in people with a history of the condition.

Finally, the keto diet can cause changes to the gut microbiome, which may also contribute to kidney stone formation.

To prevent kidney stones while on the keto diet, it is recommended to drink plenty of water, eat as many vegetables as possible, limit sodium intake, and consider taking a potassium citrate supplement.

Potassium citrate supplements may prevent kidney stones in people on the keto diet

Kidney stones are a well-known potential side effect of the ketogenic diet. Research has shown that the keto diet may lead to a higher risk of kidney stones due to increased acid levels in the urine. This is caused by a higher intake of animal products, which contain high levels of acid-producing protein and can make your urine more acidic. This, in turn, can lead to increased calcium excretion.

However, potassium citrate supplements may be an effective way to prevent kidney stones in people on the keto diet. Potassium citrate is a daily oral supplement that alkalinizes the urine, making it less acidic and reducing the risk of kidney stone formation. Research has shown that the empiric use of potassium citrate can significantly reduce the incidence of kidney stones in people on the keto diet. In one study, children who were given potassium citrate prophylactically had a lower incidence of kidney stones (2.0%) compared to those who did not receive the supplement (10.5%).

Potassium citrate works by increasing the pH of urine, making it less acidic. This can help to prevent the formation of kidney stones, which typically occur in an acidic environment. Additionally, potassium citrate can help to solubilize urine calcium, further reducing the risk of kidney stones.

Overall, while the keto diet may increase the risk of kidney stones, the use of potassium citrate supplements may be an effective way to prevent this potential side effect.

The keto diet may cause gout due to increased uric acid levels

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that can lead to ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body uses fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. While the keto diet is linked to weight loss and health benefits, it may also lead to nutrient deficiencies, digestive issues, poor bone health, and other problems. One possible side effect of the keto diet is an increased risk of gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis.

Gout is caused by either excessive production or insufficient excretion of uric acid, which can lead to the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints, resulting in disabling pain, inflammation, and fever. While there is no direct evidence that the keto diet can help manage gout in humans, some studies suggest that it may increase the risk of gout due to increased uric acid levels.

High intake of animal proteins on the keto diet can cause urine to become more acidic, increasing uric acid levels. A 2012 study found that people entering ketosis experienced a short-term increased risk of gout due to higher uric acid levels. However, the risk improved once the body adapted to ketosis. Another study found that a ketogenic diet raised beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels, which inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome, thereby alleviating the symptoms of gout without negatively impacting the immune system.

While the keto diet may not be a direct treatment for gout, it can help with weight loss, which is an effective way to lower uric acid levels and prevent gout flare-ups. Therefore, the keto diet may indirectly help manage gout by reducing risk factors. However, it is important to note that the keto diet is not a low-purine diet, so it may not help keep uric acid levels in the blood at a moderate level.

The keto diet can cause a more acidic urine pH, increasing the risk of kidney stones

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that is commonly used for weight loss. It can cause a more acidic urine pH, increasing the risk of kidney stones. This is because the keto diet typically includes a high intake of animal foods, which can cause your blood and urine to become more acidic, leading to increased excretion of calcium in your urine.

Some studies suggest that the keto diet may also reduce the amount of citrate in your urine. Citrate can bind to calcium and prevent the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, reduced levels of citrate may also raise your risk of developing kidney stones.

Additionally, the keto diet can lead to dehydration, which is another promoter of kidney stone formation. Dehydration can occur as your body adjusts to using ketones and fats as its primary energy source, leading to flu-like symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and constipation.

Furthermore, people with chronic kidney disease should avoid the keto diet as weakened kidneys may be unable to remove the acid buildup in the blood that results from animal foods. This can lead to a state of acidosis, which can worsen the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Overall, the keto diet's impact on urine pH and the potential reduction of citrate in the urine contribute to the increased risk of kidney stone formation.

The keto diet can cause dehydration, which is a risk factor for kidney stones

The Keto Diet and Kidney Stones

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has become popular in recent years for weight loss. However, the diet has also been associated with an increased risk of kidney stones. While kidney stones are a well-known side effect in children following a keto diet for epilepsy, there is limited research on the prevalence of kidney stones in adults on the keto diet.

Dehydration and the Keto Diet

Dietary Factors Contributing to Dehydration on the Keto Diet

The keto diet is often lacking in fruits and vegetables, which are important sources of water and electrolytes. These foods also contribute to alkali production during metabolism, helping to neutralize the acid produced from protein metabolism. Additionally, fruits and vegetables are rich in citrate, a powerful inhibitor of kidney stone formation.

The keto diet may also be high in protein, especially if it is not properly balanced. Excess protein intake can lead to increased acid production and a more acidic urine pH, creating an ideal environment for kidney stone formation.

Preventing Dehydration on the Keto Diet

To prevent dehydration and reduce the risk of kidney stones while on the keto diet, it is essential to:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Include as many low-carbohydrate vegetables as possible in your diet.
• Monitor your sodium intake and limit processed meats, cheese, and other high-sodium foods.
• Consider taking a potassium citrate supplement, as this has been shown to decrease the likelihood of kidney stones.

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