Blood Purif. 1989 ; 7(1): 33-8.

Does a low protein diet really slow down the rate of progression of chronic renal failure?

Gretz N, Meisinger E, Strauch M.

Clinic of Nephrology, University of Heidelberg, Klinikum Mannheim, FRG.

In this paper we present evidence from data obtained by different study groups, indicating that a low protein diet slows down the rate of progression of chronic renal failure. These data also demonstrate that the delay of progression is highly dependent on the underlying renal disease. In absolute terms, patients suffering from polycystic kidney disease experienced most benefit from a low protein diet, while in relative terms, the natural course of the renal disease of patients suffering from chronic glomerulonephritis is significantly more delayed than in other disease groups. Furthermore, a vegetarian diet seems to be superior to a meat-containing diet. Thus, we conclude that there are sufficient data from the literature to suggest that a low protein diet delays the progression of chronic renal failure.