‘Mediterranean diet’ helps absorb unsaturated fat, improves symptoms in patients with kidney disease

A study has shown that the ‘Mediterranean diet’, which increases the amount of fruit, vegetables and olive oil, which is high in unsaturated fat, and reduces the amount of red meat and saturated fat, improves the symptoms of patients with chronic kidney disease. and has a kidney-protective effect.

The research team, including Professor Lee Ji-on from the Department of Family Medicine at Severance Hospital, Professor Kwon Kwon from the Department of Family Medicine at Severance Yongin Hospital, and Professor Jeong-eun won Lee from the Department of Nephrology, in collaboration with Medisolar. , analyzed the effect of the Mediterranean diet on body potassium levels and kidney health in patients with chronic kidney disease. The research team observed the differences between the newly developed ‘Korean Mediterranean Balanced Diet’ and the current diet of patients with chronic kidney disease, which increases the risk hyperkalemia.

Patients with chronic kidney disease with poor kidney function have a reduced ability to remove potassium, increasing the risk of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can cause arrhythmia and, in severe cases, this can lead to cardiac arrest. In addition to potassium, it is also necessary to be careful when eating protein, which creates nitrogen waste during the metabolic process and puts pressure on the kidneys. However, limiting too much potassium and protein intake can lead to a carbohydrate-based diet, which can cause nutritional imbalances. The Mediterranean diet is considered an effective alternative considering the characteristics of patients with kidney disease, but because it uses a lot of foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, spinach, mallow, and potatoes, researchers studied to recommend a safer diet. .

The balanced Korean-style Mediterranean diet, developed by researchers to reflect the eating habits of Koreans, is designed to reduce potassium, sodium, and protein intake while maintaining the characteristics of the Mediterranean diet. It’s a vegetarian diet, which uses plenty of plant-based ingredients and focuses on consuming unsaturated fats. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which are often included in the Mediterranean diet, were eaten, and the skin was removed and boiled or planed to increase dietary fiber and reduce potassium. Sodium intake was also reduced by eating seaweed instead of soup, and protein consumption was 0.8g per 1kg, 0.2g lower than the existing Mediterranean diet.

Fifty patients with kidney failure, whose kidney function decreased by 15-59% compared to normal standards, were divided into two groups of 25 people each and given a Mediterranean diet and a regular patient’s diet them alternately for four weeks, and then changes in kidneys were compared between activity and nutritional intake. As a result, patients eating a Mediterranean diet increased their intake of dietary fat, dietary fiber, and niacin, while their intake of sodium and copper decreased. Total levels of carbon dioxide, which plays an important role in maintaining the body’s acid-base balance, also increased, which was found to be helpful in managing metabolic acidosis, which is often ‘ occur in patients with kidney disease.

The Mediterranean diet slightly increased potassium, but there was no change in serum and urine potassium levels, and renal function was well maintained. Professor Lee Ji-won said, “The Mediterranean diet may be a new breakthrough in the health management of patients with chronic kidney disease. In particular, this study targeting Koreans will provide a scientific basis important for dietary management of patients with kidney disease. ” show up.