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Protein Intake in Chronic Kidney Disease

  • Gastroenterology, Critical Care, and Lifestyle Medicine (SA McClave, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to better understand the protein needs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis. Protein energy wasting is common in patients with chronic kidney disease, and the incidence increases as the kidney function declines. Typically, protein intake in patients with CKD is lower than the daily-recommended allowance for healthy adults, and that poor nutritional status has been associated with increase in morbidity and mortality. It is of interest to note that the current guidelines for protein intake vary in terms of both quantity as well as the quality, thus making it confusing for the practicing nephrologist.

Recent Findings

Recent studies show that very low protein intake when supplemented by keto-analogues of essential amino acid could be helpful in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease. However, it is important to understand that recommending low protein intake could be harmful in CKD patients especially those with poor nutritional status or during an acute illness.

Summary

In summary, it is important for the physician to understand that patients with chronic kidney disease have very complex nutritional requirements, and that recommendations for protein intake should be based on the individual patient needs.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medicine, Section of Nephrology and Hypertension, NorthShore University HealthSystem, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA

    Menaka Sarav

  2. Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA

    Catherine L. McKnight

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, 7th Floor, South Tower, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Carolyn A. Newberry

Authors
  1. Menaka Sarav
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  2. Catherine L. McKnight
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  3. Carolyn A. Newberry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Menaka Sarav.

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Conflict of Interest

Menaka Sarav, Catherine L. McKnight, and Carolyn A. Newberry declare they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Gastroenterology, Critical Care, and Lifestyle Medicine

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Sarav, M., McKnight, C.L. & Newberry, C.A. Protein Intake in Chronic Kidney Disease. Curr Nutr Rep 6, 257–260 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-017-0213-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-017-0213-y

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