Renal Function Following Long-Term Weight Loss in Individuals with Abdominal Obesity on a Very-Low-Carbohydrate Diet vs High-Carbohydrate Diet
Renal Function Following Long-Term Weight Loss in Individuals with Abdominal Obesity on a Very-Low-Carbohydrate Diet vs High-Carbohydrate Diet
Renal Function Following Long-Term Weight Loss in Individuals with Abdominal Obesity on a Very-Low-Carbohydrate Diet vs High-Carbohydrate Diet
Grant D. Brinkworth, PhDCorresponding Author Informationemail address, Jonathan D. Buckley, PhD, Manny Noakes, PhD, Peter M. Clifton, PhD
Accepted 4 September 2009.
Abstract
A frequently cited concern of very-low-carbohydrate diets is the potential for increased risk of renal disease associated with a higher protein intake. However, to date, no well-controlled randomized studies have evaluated the long-term effects of very-low-carbohydrate diets on renal function. To study this issue, renal function was assessed in 68 men and women with abdominal obesity (age 51.5±7.7 years, body mass index [calculated as kg/m2] 33.6±4.0) without preexisting renal dysfunction who were randomized to consume either an energy-restricted (∼1,433 to 1,672 kcal/day), planned isocaloric very-low-carbohydrate (4% total energy as carbohydrate [14 g], 35% protein [124 g], 61% fat [99 g]), or high-carbohydrate diet (46% total energy as carbohydrate [162 g], 24% protein [85 g], 30% fat [49 g]) for 1 year. Body weight, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate and urinary albumin excretion were assessed before and after 1 year (April 2006-July 2007). Repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted. Weight loss was similar in both groups (very-low-carbohydrate: −14.5±9.7 kg, high-carbohydrate: −11.6±7.3 kg; P=0.16). By 1 year, there were no changes in either group in serum creatinine levels (very-low-carbohydrate: 72.4±15.1 to 71.3±13.8 μmol/L, high-carbohydrate: 78.0±16.0 to 77.2±13.2 μmol/L; P=0.93 time × diet effect) or estimated glomerular filtration rate (very-low-carbohydrate: 90.0±17.0 to 91.2±17.8 mL/min/1.73 m2, high-carbohydrate: 83.8±13.8 to 83.6±11.8 mL/min/1.73 m2; P=0.53 time×diet effect). All but one participant was classified as having normoalbuminuria at baseline, and for these participants, urinary albumin excretion values remained in the normoalbuminuria range at 1 year. One participant in high-carbohydrate had microalbuminuria (41.8 μg/min) at baseline, which decreased to a value of 3.1 μg/min (classified as normoalbuminuria) at 1 year.
This study provides preliminary evidence that long-term weight loss with a very-low-carbohydrate diet does not adversely affect renal function compared with a high-carbohydrate diet in obese individuals with normal renal function.
The myth that low carb hurts your kidneys refuses to die. Here's one more stake in the heart for it.
Renal Function Following Long-Term Weight Loss in Individuals with Abdominal Obesity on a Very-Low-Carbohydrate Diet vs High-Carbohydrate Diet
Grant D. Brinkworth, PhDCorresponding Author Informationemail address, Jonathan D. Buckley, PhD, Manny Noakes, PhD, Peter M. Clifton, PhD
Accepted 4 September 2009.
Abstract
A frequently cited concern of very-low-carbohydrate diets is the potential for increased risk of renal disease associated with a higher protein intake. However, to date, no well-controlled randomized studies have evaluated the long-term effects of very-low-carbohydrate diets on renal function. To study this issue, renal function was assessed in 68 men and women with abdominal obesity (age 51.5±7.7 years, body mass index [calculated as kg/m2] 33.6±4.0) without preexisting renal dysfunction who were randomized to consume either an energy-restricted (∼1,433 to 1,672 kcal/day), planned isocaloric very-low-carbohydrate (4% total energy as carbohydrate [14 g], 35% protein [124 g], 61% fat [99 g]), or high-carbohydrate diet (46% total energy as carbohydrate [162 g], 24% protein [85 g], 30% fat [49 g]) for 1 year. Body weight, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate and urinary albumin excretion were assessed before and after 1 year (April 2006-July 2007). Repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted. Weight loss was similar in both groups (very-low-carbohydrate: −14.5±9.7 kg, high-carbohydrate: −11.6±7.3 kg; P=0.16). By 1 year, there were no changes in either group in serum creatinine levels (very-low-carbohydrate: 72.4±15.1 to 71.3±13.8 μmol/L, high-carbohydrate: 78.0±16.0 to 77.2±13.2 μmol/L; P=0.93 time × diet effect) or estimated glomerular filtration rate (very-low-carbohydrate: 90.0±17.0 to 91.2±17.8 mL/min/1.73 m2, high-carbohydrate: 83.8±13.8 to 83.6±11.8 mL/min/1.73 m2; P=0.53 time×diet effect). All but one participant was classified as having normoalbuminuria at baseline, and for these participants, urinary albumin excretion values remained in the normoalbuminuria range at 1 year. One participant in high-carbohydrate had microalbuminuria (41.8 μg/min) at baseline, which decreased to a value of 3.1 μg/min (classified as normoalbuminuria) at 1 year.
This study provides preliminary evidence that long-term weight loss with a very-low-carbohydrate diet does not adversely affect renal function compared with a high-carbohydrate diet in obese individuals with normal renal function.
The myth that low carb hurts your kidneys refuses to die. Here's one more stake in the heart for it.
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