By Miyeilis Flores
One of the fundamental strategies to avoid and prevent chronic kidney disease (CKD) is to carry a low protein dietespecially red meataccording to studies on the effects of this type of diet on kidney function in patients with CKD, published by Oxford Academic in 2025.
The CKD It is one of the conditions that is increasing worldwide. Current research has associated the purchasing power with a high meat consumption and the development of kidney diseases.
These findings suggest the need for specific public health interventions, particularly dietary guidance for high-risk populations, such as men and residents of groups with a high socioeconomic index, highlights research published by PubMed.
In the United States, the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) predominates in people 65 years or older (34%)compared to adults ages forty five to 64 (13%) or ages 18 to 44 (6%), according to the most recent 2026 report from the Centers for Preserve an eye fixed on and Disease Prevention (CDC).
The report reveals that more than 1 in 10 adults (14%) over 18 years of age—which represents 37 million people— suffer chronic kidney disease.
This figure increases dramatically in people with diabeteswhere it is estimated that approximately 4 in 10 adults (38%) 18 years or older with diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed) suffer CKD.
Furthermore, it is estimated that around 5 in 10 adults (49%) 18 years or older with type 1 diabetes suffer chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Scientific evidence: what the big studies say
A review of 47 studies evaluated the effects of a low protein diet about the kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease. Searches for relevant studies were carried out without limitations through databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Pupilcovering findings until June 2023.
Low protein diets can reduce levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and phosphorusdecreasing the risk of end-stage renal disease in patients with CKD.
Other key metabolic benefits include:
- pH balance: helps maintain the acidity balance in the diet.
- Depuration: contributes to lower uremic toxin levels.
- Preserve an eye fixed on mineral: improve and stabilizes phosphorus levels in patients with kidney disease.
Healthy alternatives: substitutes that protect your body
A simple way to reduce consumption of red meat without affecting nutritional levels is by increasing the consumption of legumes, grain either low fat dairywhich reduce the chances of CKD by up to 15-28%.
In addition, the most notable findings of the study include a increased glomerular filtration rate and one decreased serum albumin levels, blood urea nitrogen and baking sodaalthough the certainty of the evidence is low. Likewise, the LPD (Low Protein Diets) show significant benefits.
Finally, the study indicates that a low protein intake has a positive impact on the decreased proteinuria(when kidney pressure drops and proteins are prevented from passing directly into the blood), urea in urine and the parathyroid hormone (PTH) responsible for the production of calcium and phosphorus in the body.
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