Consuming more vegetable protein may help kidney disease patients live longer

(Press-News.org) Contact information: Kurtis Pivert
kpivert@asn-online.org
202-699-0238
American Society of Nephrology
Consuming more vegetable protein may help kidney disease patients live longer Atlanta, GA (November 7, 2013)—Increased consumption of vegetable protein was linked with prolonged survival among kidney disease patients in a new a study. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2013 November 5-10 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.

Due to poor kidney function, toxins that are normally excreted in the urine can build up in the blood of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Research shows that compared with animal protein, vegetable protein intake in patients is linked with lower production of such toxins. It is unclear whether consuming more vegetable protein prolongs CKD patients' lives, however.

To investigate, a team led by Xiaorui Chen (University of Utah) studied 1,104 CKD patients in the1988-1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III and asked them about their animal and vegetable protein intake.

After controlling for various factors such as age, smoking, and BMI, the researchers found that for each 10 gram increase in vegetable protein intake per day, participants had a 14% lower risk of dying by the end of 2006. "Interventional trials are needed to establish whether increasing vegetable protein will decrease mortality in the CKD population," they wrote.

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For each 10 gram increase in vegetable protein intake per day, participants in a study had a 14% lower risk of dying during follow-up.

Study: "Higher Intake of Vegetable Protein Is Associated with Lower All-Cause Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease" (Abstract 4058)

Disclosures: Tom Greene is a consultant for and receives research funding from Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Genkyotech, Pharmalink, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Srinivasan Beddhu receives research funding from Takeda. The authors report receiving funding support from NIDDK.

ASN Kidney Week 2013, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for 14,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in renal research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2013 will take place November 5-10, 2013 in Atlanta, GA.

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Founded in 1966, and with more than 14,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.