Other benefits, too
By NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION
 |
| Visual abstract of the research. Credit: AJKD 2023 |
The intake of more plant proteins is linked to a lowered risk of developing chronic kidney disease, according to a comprehensive study using UK Biobank Study data.
Recent years have seen a growing focus on the health
advantages of plant-based diets. Known to provide a myriad of health benefits,
including a lowered risk of heart issues and certain cancers, plant-based diets
have become the talk of the town. However, the connection between plant protein
intake and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has remained a bit murky.
A recent study led by Ga Young Heo has shed new light on this relationship. The comprehensive research, based on the UK Biobank Study data, meticulously investigated the association between plant protein consumption and the onset of CKD.
The study tracked 117,809 participants who had successfully completed at least one dietary questionnaire and met specific health standards, ruling out any prior history of CKD. Over an average follow-up duration of nearly ten years, CKD occurred in 3,745 participants.
The findings showed that individuals with higher plant protein intake faced a notably lower risk of developing CKD compared to those with lower intake levels. Those consuming more plant protein showed a consistent decrease in the risk of CKD, with the risk decreasing as plant protein intake increased.
Over a median follow-up duration of 9.9 years, the
findings were revealing. CKD incidentally occurred in 3,745 participants. When
the data was analyzed, it was observed that those with higher plant protein
intake faced a considerably lower risk of developing CKD compared to those with
lower intake. Specifically, participants with increased plant protein intake
had a 10% to 18% reduced risk of CKD.
Despite the undeniable association between higher plant
protein intake and reduced CKD risk, the study has limitations. The UK Biobank
Study primarily hinges on participants’ self-reported dietary habits, which may
not always be comprehensive or entirely accurate. Furthermore, the
characteristics of the participants in the UK Biobank Study might not be wholly
representative, potentially limiting the broader applicability of these
findings.
Nevertheless, the study’s conclusions are promising. The
research by Ga Young Heo and the team points to the protective properties of
plant protein against CKD. This revelation underscores the importance of
dietary intervention in primary care settings, emphasizing the potential
benefits of a plant-based diet on kidney health.
While the findings are a significant step forward,
further interventional studies will be crucial in affirming the
kidney-protective benefits of plant protein intake.
Reference: “Association of Plant Protein Intake With Risk
of Incident CKD: A UK Biobank Study” by Ga Young Heo, Hee Byung Koh, Hyo Jeong
Kim, Kyung Won Kim, Chan Young Jung, Hyung Woo Kim, Tae Ik Chang, Jung Tak
Park, Tae-Hyun Yoo, Shin-Wook Kang and Seung Hyeok Han, 28 July 2023, American
Journal of Kidney Diseases.
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.05.007
