A healthy dietary pattern may prevent development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and albuminuria in adults without kidney impairment, according to a new Australian study published in the October 2019 issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

The systematic review and meta-analysis included 18 studies with 630,108 adults who were followed for an average of 10.4 years. Healthy dietary patterns included higher intakes of vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish and low-fat dairy and lower intakes of red and processed meats, sodium and sugar-sweetened beverages.

The meta-analysis showed that a healthy dietary pattern was associated with a 30% lower incidence of CKD. It was also associated with a 23% lower incidence of albuminuria, an early indicator of kidney damage. Albuminuria is also independent risk factor for CKD progression, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.

These results further add to the evidence that following healthy dietary patterns may play a protective role in the primary prevention of CKD. According to the study authors, focusing on whole foods rather than nutrients can make it easier for clinicians to educate patients and easier for patients to comply with.

(Source: American Society of Nephrology; Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019 Sep 24)

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA