For those desperate to lose weight, nutritionists say the Mediterranean diet is your best bet.
According to new research from the Columbia University Medical Center, however, this isn’t its only benefit.
The findings, now published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, reveal that those who ate a Mediterranean diet were 50 percent less likely to develop chronic kidney disease, as well as have a 42 percent reduced risk of developing kidney function decline. Those who did not eat a Mediterranean diet, however, or ate a poor diet in general, were more likely to face kidney problems later in life, say researchers.
“Many studies have found a favorable association between the Mediterranean diet and a variety of health outcomes, including those related to cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer, among others,” says Minesh Katri, M.D., a medical researcher from the Columbia University Medical Center. “There is increasing evidence that poor diet is associated with kidney disease, but it is unknown whether the benefits of a Mediterranean diet could extend to kidney health as well.”
Khatri, along with other researchers, initially examined 900 patients whose diets matched different degrees of the Mediterranean diet–from a low adherence to the diet to a high, nearly-identical adherence. From there, they looked at how many of them eventually developed kidney problems, ranging from chronic kidney disease to a loss of kidney function.
Khatri eventually found that any adherence to this diet was associated with a reduced risk of kidney problems later in life–which Khatri agreed was good news. But more importantly he found that those whose diets adhered the best to the Mediterranean diet rules halved their risk of chronic kidney disease.
In addition, it also significantly lowered their risk of rapid kidney function decline–a risk factor for dying earlier from kidney failure.
For researcher Julie Lin, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.S.N., this research only highlights how important it is to eat right for a healthier body–or in this case, healthier kidneys.
“Although a seemingly simple goal, achieving this is challenging,” says Lin, who wrote an accompanying editorial with the study. “We need to begin by embracing the reality that there is no magic pill or miracle food, only vigilance and discipline with diet and regular exercise, and the rare indulgence in cake for very special occasions.”
What These Results Mean For You
Want to have healthy kidneys? Then the solution may be as simple as cleaning up your diet–by eating more fruits, vegetables, fish, and heart-healthy fats, foods often associated with the Mediterranean diet. To further lower your risk, experts also recommend cutting out food not allowed on the Mediterranean diet–such as processed foods, sweets, and red meat products.
Readers: Have you tried the Mediterranean diet before?
Sources:
Mediterranean Diet May Help Protect Kidney Health – ScienceDaily.com
Following a Mediterranean Diet May Prevent Kidney Problems Later in Life – NewsWise.com
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