The ketogenic diet has been shown to effectively control polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in the first clinical trial of its kind.
Researchers found that the cysts, which are a key characteristic of the disease, didn't seem to grow when patients were in a state of ketosis, which occurs during the diet.
Let's find out more about how it could help.
A promising experiment
The study offers hope for PKD patients who face a progressive condition that causes pain and can lead to kidney failure.
The trial involved 66 PKD patients who were split into three groups: one received routine counseling, another underwent monthly water fasting, and the third followed a low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet.
Kidney growth was observed in the control group, while the ketogenic diet group showed signs of kidney shrinkage and improved kidney function.
The concentration of a protein called cystatin C, which indicates kidney health, was also more favorable in the ketogenic diet group.
Why it might be helpful
The study highlights the feasibility of the ketogenic diet for PKD patients and emphasizes the importance of personalized dietary approaches.
The researchers plan to conduct further trials to explore the efficacy of a specific medical food called KetoCitra in combination with the Ren.Nu plant-focused ketogenic diet.
These trials will involve more participants and follow them for a year.
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