Protein & Kidney disease. How much is too much??

[mcelhj]

Hi There,

This is my first time posting on here so bear with me.....

Ok here is my question....

I have early stage chronic kidney disease (and only one functioning kidney) but I love the protein power plan. It has been successful in the past but I am being warned off eating too much protein. So what I really want to know is how much protein is safe for me and how much is too much?

Thanks for your help!

[LisaS]

sounds like a question for your nephrologist - but if you know your level we can maybe help you with menu ideas ...

[mcsblues]

Welcome aboard. I echo Lisa's advice that this needs to be addressed carefully by your specialist, but you may find this article of interest, http://www.theomnivore.com/Kidneys_Aug_2004.html particularly in respect of looking at the question of iron intake and red meat protein sources. If you have read PPLP (if not I recommend you do) the iron chapter there is very good and it might also be a good idea to have a serum ferritin test conducted to assess you current status.

[mcelhj]

Welcome aboard. I echo Lisa's advice that this needs to be addressed carefully by your specialist, but you may find this article of interest, http://www.theomnivore.com/Kidneys_Aug_2004.html particularly in respect of looking at the question of iron intake and red meat protein sources. If you have read PPLP (if not I recommend you do) the iron chapter there is very good and it might also be a good idea to have a serum ferritin test conducted to assess you current status.

Thank you for the link, I will have a look. I am not under the care of a nephrologist yet, as my blood tests show that my one kidney is doing the job. It is my gp who is warning me off too much protein. Yes, I have read pplp cover to cover. I especially want to get back on the plan (followed it for 3 years and lost 30 lbs) because I seem to have developed high cholesterol over the past 2 years and my doctor wants to put me on lipitor. I want to get back on plan faithfully and do it that way. I just didn't want to put any more stress on my kidneys. She also said that my ecg showed that the chest pains I recently experienced were the result of a mild heart attack, so not sure which way to go. I am a firm believer in the things the Eades have written about.

[Gaelen]

mcelhj, welcome in.
I realize that having a stable of doctors consulting on your health is not anyone's first preference...but if you have one kidney, early stage chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol and may have experienced a cardiac event, you may NEED more input than just your GP 'warning you off too much protein' and wanting to put you on Lipitor for cholesterol control, while also analyzing your ECG and determining cardiac diagnoses--no matter how good your GP is at his job.

I have nothing against relying on the medical recommendations of a good internist...I have one, and he's an excellent diagnostician. Believe me, I've certainly presented him with some challenges in the last six years, and he's come through every one with flying colors. But he recognizes the importance of bringing in a specialist when necessary...he's not a specialist, and when symptoms indicate a specialized problem, then he refers me to, works with and/or consults with someone more expert in that area.

It sounds as if, while you firmly believe in the tenets of PPLP, your doc has yet to be convinced. For a healthy person to buck medical advice to follow a way of eating he believes is correct is one thing. Once you start having a variety of pre-existing conditions affecting various symptoms, you either need to have that doctor backing your decisions and making medical recommendations that support your dietary preferences, or be willing to become your own patient. ;)

[LisaS]

i meant to add - PPLP isn't high protein per se - it is controlled-carb. as long as you meet your protein requirements you can add fat to make up the caloric differences. If you have to change from (for example) 100g/day to 60 g/day limit for protein -- that's only 160 calories different. Nothing says you can't stay low-carb and make up the difference in fat. at least nothing I know of.

[mcelhj]

I should have mentioned that my gp has referred me to a cardiologist, so in the mean time I will follow the plan, cutting back on some of the protein, but keep my carb count within the 40 grams. I agree that it would be better to be working with a doctor who agrees with this way of eating.....but in the meantime I will think about the lipitor until I actually see the cardiologist. Thanks for the input.