Ketogenic Diet Improves Kidney Function in Polycystic Kidney Disease, Reveals Clinical Trial

A recent randomized controlled clinical trial has demonstrated the effectiveness of a ketogenic diet, low in carbs, in controlling polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

PKD is an inherited disorder characterized by developing cysts in the kidneys, leading to organ enlargement and loss of function.

The trial, led by biologist Thomas Weimbs at the University of California-Santa Barbara, revealed that the cysts in PKD patients did not grow when in a state of ketosis. Unlike the common belief that PKD inevitably progresses to kidney failure, the study found that a ketogenic diet led to improved kidney function in patients.

The trial involved three groups: a control group with routine counseling, a group practicing monthly water fasting, and a group on a low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet group exhibited a halt in kidney growth and improved kidney function, offering potential for controlling this genetic disease. However, individualized dietary guidance from physicians and nutritionists is recommended for PKD patients.