Protein and energy intake in advanced chronic kidney disease: how much is too much?

Semin Dial. 2007 Jan-Feb;20(1):5-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-139X.2007.00231.x.

Abstract

Uremic wasting is strongly associated with increased risk of death and hospitalization events in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent evidence indicates that patients with advanced chronic kidney disease are prone to uremic wasting due to several factors, which include the dialysis procedure and certain comorbid conditions, especially chronic inflammation and insulin resistance or deficiency. While the catabolic effects of dialysis can be readily avoided with intradialytic nutritional supplementation, there are no established alternative strategies to avoid the catabolic consequences of comorbid conditions other than treatment of their primary etiology. To this end, there is no indication that simply increasing dietary protein and energy intake above the required levels based on level of kidney disease is beneficial in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. However, aside from the potential adverse effects such as uremic toxin production, dietary protein and energy intake in excess of actual needs might be beneficial in maintenance dialysis patients as it may lead to weight gain over time. Clearly, the role of obesity in advanced uremia needs to be examined in detail prior to making any clinically applicable recommendations, both in terms of ''low'' and ''high'' dietary protein and energy intake.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Proteins / metabolism*
  • Energy Intake*
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Uremia / metabolism

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins