Keto And Kidney Failure: What's The Real Risk?

The ketogenic diet is a popular approach to weight loss, but it has also been used to treat epilepsy and even infertility. The diet is low in carbohydrates and high in fat, with moderate protein intake. While it can be effective for quick weight loss, there are some concerns about its impact on kidney health.

The keto diet can put stress on the kidneys, particularly for those with kidney disease. This is because the diet can lead to an increased risk of kidney stones and a build-up of ketones in the blood, which can overburden the kidneys. Additionally, those with chronic kidney disease may need to follow a low-protein diet, which is not aligned with the typical keto diet.

There is also a risk of developing other health issues such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before starting the keto diet, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions.

Keto diets can cause kidney stones

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has become popular for weight loss, blood sugar control, and improved energy. However, this diet may also have some negative impacts on kidney health and could potentially cause kidney stones.

Kidney stones are hard deposits of mineral salts that form when supersaturated chemicals in the urine collect and crystallize. The majority of kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate, with smaller percentages formed by uric acid and struvite.

The keto diet can increase the risk of kidney stone formation due to the following reasons:

• More acidic urine: High intake of animal foods and proteins on the keto diet can cause your blood and urine to become more acidic, leading to increased excretion of calcium in your urine.
• Reduced citrate levels: Some studies suggest that the keto diet reduces the amount of citrate released in the urine. Citrate can bind to calcium and prevent kidney stone formation, so lower levels may increase the risk.
• Dehydration: Transitioning to a low-carb diet can lead to water loss in body tissues, resulting in more concentrated urine that can contribute to kidney stone formation.
• High oxalate intake: Consuming high amounts of oxalate-rich foods like spinach, avocados, nuts, and certain vegetables on a low-carb diet can increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones.
• Low calcium intake: A low-calcium diet can increase oxalate absorption, promoting calcium oxalate stone formation.
• High vitamin C supplementation: Consuming large amounts of vitamin C supplements may increase urine oxalate concentrations, promoting the formation of calcium oxalate stones.

Who Is at Risk?

While the keto diet may increase the risk of kidney stones in anyone, certain individuals are at a higher risk:

• History of kidney stones: If you have previously had kidney stones, you are more likely to develop them again, especially if you don't make dietary changes to minimize oxalate consumption and optimize fluid and mineral intake.
• High-protein keto: A very high-protein keto diet may increase the risk of uric acid stones.
• Other health conditions: Obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome are risk factors for kidney stone formation and future chronic kidney disease.

Preventing Kidney Stones on Keto

If you want to minimize the risk of kidney stones while on a keto diet, consider the following:

• Stay well-hydrated and ensure adequate fluid intake.
• Monitor your consumption of high-oxalate foods like spinach, avocados, nuts, and certain vegetables.
• Ensure sufficient dietary calcium intake through dairy products, sardines, salmon, nuts, and leafy green vegetables.
• Avoid high-dose vitamin C supplements, and instead, get your vitamin C from low-oxalate sources like bell peppers, berries, broccoli, and leafy greens.
• Pay attention to adequate mineral supplementation, including magnesium, which may help prevent stone formation.
• Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and to monitor your kidney health.

While the keto diet has gained popularity for its potential benefits, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with it, especially the impact on kidney health. Kidney stones are a potential side effect of the keto diet, and certain factors can increase the risk. By understanding these risks and taking preventive measures, you can help minimize the chances of developing kidney stones while on a keto diet.

Keto may worsen chronic kidney disease

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat approach to eating that has become popular for weight loss. However, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with this restrictive diet. One particular area of concern is the potential impact on kidney health, especially for those with existing kidney disease.

The keto diet can tax the kidneys in several ways:

• Increased risk of kidney stones: High-fat animal foods like meat, eggs, and cheese are staples of the keto diet. Consuming large amounts of these foods can increase the acidity of your blood and urine, leading to increased excretion of calcium in the urine. This, combined with a potential reduction in citrate levels, can raise the risk of kidney stone formation.
• Acidosis: The high intake of animal foods on the keto diet can lead to a build-up of acid in the blood, which can be dangerous for those with weakened kidneys. This is because kidneys that are already damaged may be unable to remove this excess acid effectively, leading to a state of acidosis, which can further damage kidney function.
• Electrolyte imbalances: The keto diet can cause electrolyte imbalances, particularly an increase in sodium, calcium, and potassium excretion, as the kidneys work harder to process higher amounts of protein. This can lead to low blood pressure, which is also regulated by the kidneys.
• Proteinuria: While a well-formulated keto diet is typically not high in protein, some people on this diet may consume higher levels of protein, especially bodybuilders or athletes. Excess protein intake has been linked to proteinuria, where protein leaks into the urine, indicating that the kidneys' filtering system is malfunctioning.

The Bottom Line

While the keto diet may be effective for short-term weight loss, it is not without risks, especially for those with existing health conditions. For individuals with chronic kidney disease, the keto diet may worsen their condition. This is because the high-fat, high-protein nature of the diet can strain the kidneys, leading to a build-up of acid, electrolyte imbalances, and an increased risk of kidney stones. Therefore, it is crucial for anyone considering the keto diet, especially those with kidney disease, to consult a healthcare professional for individualised advice and monitoring.

High protein intake can cause kidney damage

The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb approach to weight loss that has become increasingly popular. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with this diet. One of the main concerns is the impact on kidney health, especially for those who already have kidney disease.

The impact of high protein intake on kidney health is particularly relevant for those with pre-existing health conditions. For example, people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are often recommended to follow a low-protein diet, which may not align with the keto diet. Additionally, high-protein diets can cause an increase in uric acid levels, which is a risk factor for gout and kidney stones.

The quality of dietary protein also plays a role in kidney health. Animal protein, especially from high-fat animal foods such as eggs, meat, and cheese, has been associated with an increased risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in several studies. This is because animal protein can cause an increase in dietary acid load, phosphate content, and resultant inflammation, all of which can contribute to kidney damage.

While the keto diet may be effective for weight loss, it is important to consider the potential risks, especially for those with kidney disease or at risk of developing it. High protein intake can lead to kidney damage and, therefore, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions.

Keto can lead to low blood pressure

Keto and Kidney Failure

The ketogenic diet, or keto, is a high-fat, low-carb approach to weight loss that has been around since the 1920s. While it can be effective for quick weight loss, it has many potential dangers and side effects. One of these is that it can put stress on the kidneys and may lead to kidney stones. This is especially true for people with kidney disease, for whom keto can be dangerous and is not recommended.

Keto can be an effective way to lower blood pressure, especially in obese people and people with diabetes. However, there are a few things to be aware of. Firstly, if you are on blood pressure medication, there is a risk of keto working too well and causing your blood pressure to drop too low. You may need to lower your dosage or stop taking the medication. This can happen within days, but it may also take months or even a year to reach full effect. If you feel symptoms of low blood pressure, such as weakness, tiredness or dizziness, you should check your blood pressure and contact your doctor.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a "dirty keto" diet may be short on potassium, which is important for controlling blood pressure. Too much sodium without enough potassium will raise blood pressure. However, too little sodium can also raise blood pressure, as this causes the body to release a blood-pressure-raising hormone called aldosterone. Therefore, it is important to work with a medical professional to monitor and manage your blood pressure while on keto.

Diabetics on keto may develop ketoacidosis

Diabetics on the keto diet may develop ketoacidosis, a serious complication of the disease. Ketoacidosis occurs when the body produces dangerously high levels of ketones, which can be life-threatening. This condition is often a result of type 1 diabetes, but it can also occur in people with type 2 diabetes whose bodies do not produce enough insulin or use insulin effectively.

When the body doesn't have enough insulin, it cannot move glucose from the blood into cells, leading to a dangerous accumulation of glucose and ketones in the blood. This condition is known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and can be life-threatening.

The symptoms of ketoacidosis include high blood glucose levels, rising levels of ketones in the urine, thirst, frequent urination, a fruity odour in the breath, confusion, difficulty paying attention, and loss of consciousness.

Diabetics on the keto diet are at risk of developing ketoacidosis because the diet is very low in carbohydrates and high in fat and protein. This can cause the body to break down fats and proteins too quickly, leading to a build-up of ketones in the blood. Additionally, the high-fat and low-protein nature of the diet may increase the risk of kidney stones and other medical problems in people with kidney disease.

To prevent ketoacidosis, diabetics on the keto diet should monitor their blood glucose levels regularly and test their urine for ketones if blood glucose levels are above the recommended threshold. They should also avoid exercise if ketones are present in the urine and blood glucose levels are high, take insulin as directed by their doctor, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and avoid skipping meals.

It is important for diabetics to work closely with their healthcare team before starting the keto diet, as it may not be suitable for everyone.

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