NHS Nuts ?

A study of human type 2 diabetes patients showed that restricting carbohydrates and iron in combination with polyphenol (polyphenols extracted from tea) enrichment was nearly 50% more effective than protein restriction in improving renal function and increasing survival [DIABETES; Facchini,FS; 52(5):1204-1209 (2003)].

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It might be one of those areas where it's possible to find supporting evidence for many different causes, treatments and outcomes, depending on what it is you'd like to hear!
I know from my local PCT that their type 1 diabetics typically have one third of their original kidney function remaining 25 years post diagnosis. It seems far more likely that the damage is a result of glycation reactions resulting from elevated blood sugar levels than a general tendency to eat too much protein?
My own experience is that, since I began eliminating carbs from my diet 8 years ago (and included more protein), my kidney function has steadily improved.
There may be a level of kidney function below which the damage is irreversible and protein needs to be restricted, but I suspect it isn't the protein that causes the initial damage.

All the best,

fergus

kegstore said:

I'm curious to learn how the recommendation to significantly increase protein intake can be reconciled with the advice given to those with some degree of kidney damage, which is to reduce same? For example I enjoy eggs very much, but have been advised to restrict the number I eat to no more than 2 per week, specifically because of nephropathy. Since following this regime my kidney function has actually increased (from 40% to 52%) which is great, but I'd love to eat more eggs and I'm "nervous" of the potential consequences.

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Its discussed here, inconclusively.

fergus said:

I know from my local PCT that their type 1 diabetics typically have one third of their original kidney function remaining 25 years post diagnosis. It seems far more likely that the damage is a result of glycation reactions resulting from elevated blood sugar levels than a general tendency to eat too much protein?

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I definitely agree with this, and I don't suggest that protein causes the initial damage; there's certainly no evidence that it does. HOWEVER I do believe that once the damage is established, significantly increasing protein intake may have an increased detrimental effect on kidney function.

Sorry if this is rehashing an old discussion!

Experimented with a 2 egg plain omelette for a mid morning snack today, made with just the addition of salt and pepper and some whole milk and cooked in butter, also had a coffee with cream. The hour after the snack was spent on my laptop registering and downloading the software and updates for my new sat nav, so no physical activity to bring the BG down then.

Pre snack 5.8
1 hr PP 6.0
1hr 45mins PP 5.5
Plus 0.2 :shock: perhaps I should ditch the coffee :roll:

Graham

Graham.

0.2 :shock: :?: I think you need to get out more. :?

Ken.

Would you like me to lob some tomatoes at your house as well the next time I passing with my uneaten eggs Graham?
Just say the word mate :lol:

fergus

fergus how much did your kidney function improve by if you don't mind me asking? + did it definitely not coincide with any improved BG control or any dietary supplements?

howie

cugila said:

Graham.

0.2 :shock: :?: I think you need to get out more. :?

Ken.

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Why do you think I got the sat nav :lol:

Cheers
Graham

Hi howie,

I'm away from home 'till next week so I can't lay my hands on the precise details before then.
From memory, its been a gradual process over a few years and coincident with better bg control too. I'll try and add more detail next week if you like?

fergus