A pivotal study by Nimrit Goraya et al., published in Kidney International Reports, investigated the effects of dietary acid reduction in patients with stage G1 chronic kidney disease (CKD) who maintain a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

This randomized trial involved 153 participants who received interventions aimed at reducing dietary acid through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables or oral sodium bicarbonate, compared to usual care, over five years.

Results demonstrated that these interventions significantly reduced acid accumulation and lowered biomarkers of kidney injury, suggesting that dietary modifications could play a crucial role in protecting kidney function in early-stage CKD patients.

Why is this important? 

This research underscores the potential of dietary interventions in managing CKD at an early stage, particularly among patients with a normal eGFR.

By reducing dietary acid load, the study suggests a proactive approach to delay or prevent the progression of kidney damage, offering a non-invasive strategy that could be easily implemented in daily life.

The findings highlight the importance of dietary management in CKD, paving the way for guidelines that could include dietary modifications as a standard recommendation for early-stage CKD patients to maintain kidney health and function.

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Guest blog post by:
M. Isreb, MD, FACP, FASN, IFMCP
Medical Director
Integrative Kidney Institute