Bring In The Research Supporting The Blood Sugars You Want To Achieve Will Work.
One of the worst things high blood sugars do to your body is that they slowly destroy your kidneys. Unfortunately, as is the case with so many "diabetic" complications, this organ destruction also appears to begin long before many people are given a diabetes diagnosis. The landmark UKPDS study found that one out of eight people diagnosed with diabetes already were leaking small amounts of protein into their urine. This symptom, called "microalbuminuria." is an early sign that kidneys have been damaged. Though there is no total agreement as to why this occurs, some factors that promote kidney damage are: 1. High blood pressure. When blood pressure is high, large protein molecules, including those that are glycosylated (covered with sticky excess sugar molecules) are pushed through the pores of the kidney's filtration units, damaging them. 2. High blood sugar. When normal glucose regulation fails, the kidneys must remove excess glucose from the blood, leading to high concentrations of glucose in the kidneys. These glucose molecules clog up tiny capillaries in the kidneys as they do those elsewhere in the body. Eventually this clogging destroys the glomeruli, the filtration units of the kidney. An eleven year study of over 1800 people with diabetes found a straight line relationship between the risk of developing chronic kidney disease and the A1c. The risk began to increase significantly when the A1c rose over 6.0%. Poor Glycemic Control in Diabetes and the Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Disease Even in the Absence of Albuminuria and Retinopathy: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Lori D. Bash et al. Arch Intern Med. Vol. 168 No. 22, Dec 8/22, 2008 Another study, that followed people with Type 1 diabetes for more than a decade found that those who had achi Continue reading >>
Patient Education: Kidney Stones In Children (beyond The Basics)
INTRODUCTION Kidney stones (also called nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) develop when a collection of minerals or other material form a small "stone." The stone can cause pain, block the flow of urine, and, rarely, can cause long-term kidney problems if it is not recognized and treated promptly. Fortunately, most children who develop kidney stones recover without any long-term complications. Stones are less common in children than in adults. Most children who develop kidney stones have an underlying condition that increases their risk of stones, although some children develop a stone for unknown reasons. A discussion of kidney stones in adults is available separately (see "Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (Beyond the Basics)"). More detailed information about kidney stones in children is available by subscription. (See "Acute management of nephrolithiasis in children".) HOW KIDNEY STONES DEVELOP The urinary tract is composed of two kidneys and ureters, a bladder, and a urethra (figure 1). A kidney stone usually forms when substances that are normally found in the urine, such as calcium, oxalate, cystine, or uric acid, are at high levels. However, in some children, stones can also form if these substances are at normal levels. Knowing what the stone is made of is important in deciding which treatment to use. (See 'Stone testing' below.) The substances form crystals, which become anchored in the kidney and gradually increase in size, forming a kidney stone. Stones that are very small (less than 5 millimeters [0.2 inches]) can usually pass on their own, while larger stones usually require treatment. A kidney stone moves through the urinary tract and, if it is small enough, it will be passed in the urine. A larger stone can become stuck within the urinary tract, c Continue reading >>
How Does Keto//os Affect Kidneys And Liver And The Role In Metabolizing Ketones?
As with all medium chain triglycerides, the MCT powder portion of the product will largely be converted to ketones by the liver within a few short hours of consumption. MCT create a readily supply of Ketone production for the liver to use for ketones. The BHB-salt portion should simply be absorbed into the blood as ketones. The BHB supplies another source, which doesn’t require the liver to produce ketones. There is no reason that the ketones produced by the product will affect the kidneys or liver any differently than ketones produced from exogenous fats (such as when eating a ketogenic diet) or ketones produced from stored fats (such as when calorie restricting or losing weight). Exogenous ketone scientific literature does not suggest that either kidney or liver function is negatively affected by ketosis. The major role of the kidneys when it comes to ketones is to excrete excess ketones in the urine. This excretion will likely be highest during the first few days of keto-adaptation (either in eating the keto diet or consuming KETO//OS), but the body will retain more and the tissues will begin to preferentially burn the ketones as consumption continues. The liver is the major site of endogenous ketone production, so taking exogenous ketones with KETO//OS would provide another source besides the liver to make ketones. Remember, KETO//OS and exogenous ketones are a source of calories; so be sure to consider it in your daily goals. KETO//OS and exogenous ketone supplementation is not hard on the liver. Continue reading >>
Protein In Urine
Your kidneys filter waste products from your blood while retaining what your body needs — including proteins. However, some diseases and conditions allow proteins to pass through the filters of your kidneys, causing protein in urine. Conditions that can cause a temporary rise in the levels of protein in urine, but don't necessarily indicate kidney damage, include: Diseases and conditions that can cause persistently elevated levels of protein in urine, which might indicate kidney disease, include: Amyloidosis (buildup of abnormal proteins in your organs) Certain drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart) Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) Glomerulonephritis (inflammation in the kidney cells that filter waste from the blood) Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease) (Hodgkin's disease) IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease) (kidney inflammation resulting from a buildup of the antibody immunoglobulin A) Orthostatic proteinuria (urine protein level rises when in an upright position) Pregnancy Sarcoidosis (development and growth of clumps of inflammatory cells in your organs) Continue reading >>
Can A High-protein Diet Reduce Back Pain?
High-protein diets have become very popular for weight loss and body building. New diets are popping up all the time, promising a slim waist and reduced appetite. Another allure of these diets is the idea that one can eat butter, bacon and steak as opposed to salads, and still lose weight. The list of approved foods in this type of diet sounds like a dieter’s dream to be sure. How do these diets work? High-protein, low-carb diets cause the body to burn fat for energy and, if the diet is adhered to long enough, it causes the body to go into a state of ketosis. Ketosis occurs when a body burns fat, including its own, for fuel. This often results in weight loss. While burning fat, the body produces a substance called ketones – acids that can change the pH of a person’s blood. Due to the upped pH, calcium is excreted in an attempt to balance the body. This means high-protein diets can cause strain on the kidneys and possibly cause kidney stones. Pain caused by kidney problems is felt in the back, causing or worsening symptoms. Calcium depletion can cause more than the possibility of kidney stones. The calcium consumed is excreted and doesn’t go toward keeping bones healthy. The lack of calcium could spur on osteoporosis, weakening vertebrae and taking support away from the spine. Weakened vertebrae cause more pressure on discs in the neck and back, which can cause pain. Low-fiber diets can worsen lower back pain by lack of proper waste evacuation. The pressure of digested food accumulating in the lower intestine can cause pain in the abdomen and lower back. For proper elimination it’s important to eat enough vegetables, fruits and whole grains; foods that are often avoided in a high-protein low-carb diet. Many foods containing anti-inflammatory properties are also Continue reading >>
The Kidney Connection
“Sara, I feel a UTI coming on! I leave tonight on a trip — What should I do?” My advice to her: 1. No antibiotics. 2. Take Accelerated Silver, Akebia Moist Heat, D-Mannose and Clearing. The next morning I received this message: “Better in Five Hours! Amazing! That works! I will stay on it for the 7-14 days you recommend but it is already better! And, with no negative side effects like I would have with an antibiotic. I was better in less time than it would take to visit a doctor and pick up a prescription at the pharmacy…” Do You Have Some or All Of These Symptoms? Back pain. Knee Pain. Not urinating Enough. Urinating too Much. Water Retention and Edema. Low Energy. Burning Down There…. The Problem Could Be Your Kidneys. Your Kidneys: When they are working great, you feel great. But when they aren’t, you can suffer severe pain and discomfort. From Inflamed Kidneys that cause Water Retention, to Urinary Tract Infections, to Kidney Stones, to Back Pain, to Knee Pain. The pain and burning can be horrible. The kidneys filter 180 Liters of Blood a day. Out of that, the Kidneys only produce 2 liters of urine. The Most Simple Kidney Issue: the Kidney-Adrenal Connection. I addressed the Adrenal-Thyroid Connection in this article. There is also a connection between your Kidneys and your Adrenals. The Adrenals sit on top of the Kidneys. The Kidneys are your “stored Fuel — the wax of the candle.” The Adrenals are where the energy is burned when you are stressed — the “fire of the candle.” If you continue to stay stressed, in “Fight or Flight,” above the energy coming from your normal metabolic function, you will burn out your Adrenals, Inflame your kidneys, and that can cause your Knees and Back to go weak, in addition to causing Edema and swelling Continue reading >>
Diet And Kidney Health: Protein Vs. Sugar
When it comes to chronic diseases, the big names are cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Chronic kidney disease doesn’t really get much press – which is weird, because about 10% of the population has it. Kidney disease is painful and exhausting to live with, and most people eventually need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Like most chronic diseases, kidney disease is affected by diet. There’s an old warning, born in the 1980s, that eating protein damages the kidneys, but the evidence actually proves otherwise: healthy people don’t need to worry about protein hurting their kidneys. Sugar, on the other hand, is really not your kidneys’ best friend. Meet your Kidneys The kidneys don’t have a particularly glamorous job. They filter out waste from your blood and direct it into your urine to get it out of your body. If this job didn’t get done, you wouldn’t be able to regulate the balance of salt and other electrolytes in your body, keep your blood at the right pH, or maintain a normal blood pressure. It’s pretty important stuff, even if it’s not something most people spend a lot of time thinking about it. The kidney is kind of like the highway repair crew of your body. If it’s working right, you barely notice it and everything just hums along smoothly and feels automatic. But if it’s not working right, you’re in trouble. So how does diet play into that? Protein and the Kidneys Before handling anything else, let’s tackle the old myth that protein is bad for your kidneys. The idea that protein causes kidney damage sounds logical on the surface. When you break down protein, your body produces certain waste products in the process. If those waste products stay in the blood, they’re very dangerous, so the kidneys filter them out in Continue reading >>
High Fat Diet May Be Able To Reverse Kidney Failure
Scientists, in experiments with mice, have demonstrated for the first time that a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet called the ketogenic diet can reverse kidney failure caused by type 1 or type 2 diabetes. See also: A new exercise prescription for diabetes. If the findings can be replicated in humans, the diet would have profound implications for personal health and for the nation's health care, says neuroscientist Charles Mobbs of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "This is the first study to show that a dietary intervention alone is enough to reverse this serious complication of diabetes," says Mobbs, senior author of a paper published online in PLoS One on April 20. The mice, bred to develop type 1 or type 2 diabetes, were allowed to develop kidney failure, known as diabetic nephropathy. Then half were fed a standard high-carbohydrate diet while the other half ate a high-fat ketogenic diet, typically used to control epilepsy in children. After eight weeks, kidney failure was reversed in the mice on the ketogenic diet. Their blood glucose returned to normal and the presence of the protein albumin in urine, a strong predictor of the progression of kidney disease, also was corrected. Controlling blood glucose and blood pressure slows the progression of diabetic kidney disease, but once the kidneys are damaged there currently is no way to repair them. If they fail, dialysis or a kidney transplant is the only option, experts say, which means that reversing the disease would be far more valuable than simply delaying it. "I believe that glucose metabolism in the cells drives diabetic complications," says Mobbs. "But controlling blood glucose levels alone doesn't correct the complications. We had to go beyond simply correcting blood glucose." In monitoring the Continue reading >>
Ketosis: What Is Ketosis?
Ketosis is a normal metabolic process. When the body does not have enough glucose for energy, it burns stored fats instead; this results in a build-up of acids called ketones within the body. Some people encourage ketosis by following a diet called the ketogenic or low-carb diet. The aim of the diet is to try and burn unwanted fat by forcing the body to rely on fat for energy, rather than carbohydrates. Ketosis is also commonly observed in patients with diabetes, as the process can occur if the body does not have enough insulin or is not using insulin correctly. Problems associated with extreme levels of ketosis are more likely to develop in patients with type 1 diabetes compared with type 2 diabetes patients. Ketosis occurs when the body does not have sufficient access to its primary fuel source, glucose. Ketosis describes a condition where fat stores are broken down to produce energy, which also produces ketones, a type of acid. As ketone levels rise, the acidity of the blood also increases, leading to ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can prove fatal. People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop ketoacidosis, for which emergency medical treatment is required to avoid or treat diabetic coma. Some people follow a ketogenic (low-carb) diet to try to lose weight by forcing the body to burn fat stores. What is ketosis? In normal circumstances, the body's cells use glucose as their primary form of energy. Glucose is typically derived from dietary carbohydrates, including: sugar - such as fruits and milk or yogurt starchy foods - such as bread and pasta The body breaks these down into simple sugars. Glucose can either be used to fuel the body or be stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen. If there is not enough glucose available to meet energy demands, th Continue reading >>
Of The Keto Diet?
There are many awesome benefits that come with adopting a low-carb ketogenic diet, such as weight loss, decreased cravings and even possibly reduce disease risks. With that being said, it’s also good to talk about possible ketosis side-effects when ingesting these specific ketone supplements, so you know fully what to expect when you get started on this mission. If you’ve already heard about some of the side-effects that come with this special diet and are starting to freak out, don’t panic. We’re going to break down everything you need to know when it comes to what your body will experience when using these supplements for the first time. It’s important to remember, not everyone experiences side-effects when starting a ketogenic diet and thankfully, the symptoms are all very temporary and it can pass very quickly. It varies with the individual, but just to make sure all your bases are covered, we’re going to break down each possible side effect that you could possibly experience. 1. Flu Symptoms Within the first 2-4 days of beginning this diet, a common side-effect is known as the “ketosis flu” or “induction flu” because it mimics the symptoms of the actual flu. This means you might experience: Headaches Lethargy Lack of motivation Brain fog or confusion Irritability Although these symptoms typically go away completely within a few days, they are also completely avoidable if you stay very hydrated and increase your salt intake and like always, be sure you're eating enough fat. 2. Dizzyness & Drowsiness As you start dumping water, you'll lose minerals such as salt, potassium and magnesium. Having lower levels of these minerals will make you tired, lightheaded or dizzy. You may also experience muscle cramps, headaches and skin itchiness. Fatigue Continue reading >>
Daily Potassium Citrate Wards Off Kidney Stones In Seizure Patients On High-fat Diet
Children on the high-fat ketogenic diet to control epileptic seizures can prevent the excruciatingly painful kidney stones that the diet can sometimes cause if they take a daily supplement of potassium citrate the day they start the diet, according to new research. Children on the high-fat ketogenic diet to control epileptic seizures can prevent the excruciatingly painful kidney stones that the diet can sometimes cause if they take a daily supplement of potassium citrate the day they start the diet, according to research from Johns Hopkins Children's Center. "We can confidently say this is a safe and powerful way to prevent kidney stones, and it should become part of standard therapy in all ketogenic dieters, not just those who already show elevated urine calcium levels," says senior investigator Eric Kossoff, M.D., a pediatric neurologist at Hopkins Children's. "If you wait, it might be too late." The ketogenic diet, believed to work by initiating biochemical changes that eliminate seizure-triggering short circuits in the brain's signaling system, is given to many children whose seizures do not respond to medications. But the diet, which consists of high-fat foods with very few carbohydrates, causes a buildup of calcium in the urine and the formation of kidney stones in about 6 percent of those on it. Hopkins Children's adopted the preventive treatment with potassium citrate two years ago, and doctors now believe this one major side effect of the diet is a thing of the past, allowing more children to remain on the diet for longer. Potassium citrate taken twice daily, either as powder sprinkled on food or dissolved in water, is believed to inhibit stone formation. In their study of 301 children treated for epilepsy with the ketogenic diet at Hopkins Children's the rese Continue reading >>
Obesity Increases Your Risk For Chronic Kidney Disease
We all know that carrying around extra body fat isn’t good for us. But you may not realize that losing weight can help prevent kidney disease in otherwise-healthy people. Trimming down might also slow disease progression in people already diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, according to nephrologist Sankar Navaneethan, MD. “Obesity and being overweight are risk factors for chronic kidney disease and are associated with the progression of the disease,” he says. “Metabolic syndrome is also a risk factor.” People with metabolic syndrome are 20 to 30 percent more likely to develop kidney disease than people without it, Dr. Navaneethan says. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of factors that also increase your risk for heart disease and diabetes. Features include: A large waist size, or having a lot of fat around the middle of your body A high level of a certain kind of fat – called triglycerides – in your blood A low HDL or “good” cholesterol level High blood pressure High blood sugar, even if you haven’t eaten It’s important to note that even if your medication does a good job controlling your blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol levels, you are still at an increased risk if you are obese or overweight. In people who already have chronic kidney disease, having metabolic syndrome increases the chances that their condition will progress to end-stage renal disease. People with end-stage renal disease must be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant. Reducing your risk Start by getting to a healthy body weight. This can reduce your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, which in turn, will lower your risk for developing kidney disease. But if you know you have kidney disease, it’s especially important not to start a weight loss p Continue reading >>
Clearing Up Kidney Confusion: Part Deux
It’s funny how our mental state really affects how we write and what we are interested in. When I wrote the introduction to this piece I was just getting settled into our new place in Santa Fe, NM and was looking at over a month at home to work and write. Then a number of wacky events happened and I’ve been home about 7 days out of the last month and I’ve only made it about 70 pages into Kon-Tiki. Ouch. Now I’m home for 8 days and will then be gone for a project that will take me completely off the grid for nearly 3 weeks. No phone, email…nada. When I sat down to do this kidney piece it was with a mindset that I had a ton of time and could really sink my teeth into it. Now I’m time crunched and anxious that I will get it done at all! Up front here I’d like to thank Mat “The Kraken” Lalonde with his help on some literature for this piece. Any inaccuracies however are my own tomfoolery. If I wanted to cut to the chase I could boil this whole thing down to the following: 1-Dietary protein DOES NOT CAUSE KIDNEY DAMAGE. 2-Chronically elevated BLOOD GLUCOSE levels DO cause kidney damage. 3-Dietary fructose REALLY causes kidney damage. 4-Many kidney issues have either a hyperinsulinemic characteristic, an autoimmune characteristic, and or a combination of autoimmunity or hyperinsulinism. A standard, low-ish carb paleo diet can fix most of these issues. 5-For serious kidney damage a low-protein, ketogenic diet can be remarkably therapeutic. 6-If you get kidney stones that are from oxalates, reduce your green veggie intake (spinach for example) and have other types of veggies. 7-If you get kidney stones that are from urate salts, you are likely NOT following a low-ish carb paleo diet, you likely have insulin resistance and your liver is not processing uric acid Continue reading >>
Will Keto//os Cause Or Aggravate Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are a known potential side effect of the ketogenic diet. Exogenous ketone supplements are a novel technology, so it is currently unknown if it could cause a similar problem, but it is possible. Clinically, potassium citrate is used to help decrease the risk of kidney stones (See here: including those that occur with the ketogenic diet. Potassium citrate is available commercially; however, as always, consumers should consult with their physicians before taking any supplements. Continue reading >>
Does A Ketogenic Diet Cause Kidney Stones?
I remember the first time I learned about the connection between a diet high in sugar and gout, kidney stones and heart disease. I was reading a book (I don’t remember which one) that was laying out the evidence that showed a clear link between sugar consumption and those diseases and it immediately peaked my interest because I didn’t know that gout was still a thing. I had only heard of old French monarchs having it and honestly didn’t know it was still around until just a few weeks before reading that book. Just a few weeks prior to reading that, I learned that my son’s Father in Law had gout and occasional kidney stones and as I read that passage in the book, I thought about calling him and telling him what I read. I decided against it and figured I would bring it up the next time I saw him at church. Unfortunately, before I ever got a chance to say anything to him, he had a heart attack. He’s fine now but I have always felt bad I didn’t immediately make a call. I realize it wouldn’t have done much given how quickly it all happened but still, I should have said something. Since then, probably the most common question I get about the ketogenic diet is whether or not it will cause kidney stones and there is definitely a connection but possibly not how you think. First let’s go over how kidney stones are formed. How Kidney Stones are Formed At one point in time it was thought that uric acid was produced solely from the breakdown of purines found in foods like liver, pork, mushrooms, anchovies, mackerel and dried beans which is why most patients that were susceptible to kidney stones or gout were put on a low purine diet. Unfortunately those diets didn’t work too well and almost always had to be supplemented with additional medications that controlled t Continue reading >>
