Protein

May 11, 2010

I attended a NUT group yesterday which was designed for those patients just one month out.  But since I didn't feel completely clear on some issues after all this time, I decided I could benefit with some face-to-face time.  One question on my mind:  I remember in a Nutrition class I took a decade ago, there was some real concern about diets high in protein, ie. Adkins, etc.  "as long term ketosis can cause kidney failure."   But my Dr clearly wants me to be eating mostly protein, so how does it work?

Well, this much I do know:  Carbohydrates are hard on the kidneys.  High blood glucose levels place excessive stress on the kidneys. That is why diabetes is the single greatest cause of kidney failure in the U.S.  And that is why my mother is on dialysis three full days a week.  So that much I clearly understand.

This well-educated NUT explained that the reason we are not in danger of damage by our high-protein diets is two-fold.

#1.  Our protein intake is limited by our portion limitations.  Adkins dieters are allowed to eat all the protein they want.

#2.  High protein with high fat is the key to true and possibly dangerous ketosis.  Because we limit our fat intake, we are not in that danger.

Well, I am comfortable with that explaination.   I know I can't eat  "the normal amounts" of carbs found in the All American diet.  My blood sugar goes up too high with just one sandwich.  And everyone knows that most fats are Bad, Bad, Bad.  So low fat protein is my friend and I don't have to worry about that anymore.

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