Individualized Diets in Patients with Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplants: A Narrative Review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread condition with significant cardiovascular risks and a progression to end-stage kidney failure. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the role of dietary interventions as a factor capable of influencing disease trajectory. This review summ...

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Main Authors: Lilio Hu, Greta Borelli, Elisa Gessaroli, Chiara Ruotolo, Sofia Bin, Giuliana Papalia, Gemma Patella, Maria Elena Liberti, Olga Baraldi, Gianluigi Zaza, Irene Capelli, Michele Provenzano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/6/896
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author Lilio Hu
Greta Borelli
Elisa Gessaroli
Chiara Ruotolo
Sofia Bin
Giuliana Papalia
Gemma Patella
Maria Elena Liberti
Olga Baraldi
Gianluigi Zaza
Irene Capelli
Michele Provenzano
author_facet Lilio Hu
Greta Borelli
Elisa Gessaroli
Chiara Ruotolo
Sofia Bin
Giuliana Papalia
Gemma Patella
Maria Elena Liberti
Olga Baraldi
Gianluigi Zaza
Irene Capelli
Michele Provenzano
author_sort Lilio Hu
collection DOAJ
description Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread condition with significant cardiovascular risks and a progression to end-stage kidney failure. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the role of dietary interventions as a factor capable of influencing disease trajectory. This review summarizes the current observational and interventional evidence on various dietary approaches in patients with CKD and kidney transplants (KTs), including Mediterranean, plant-based, and low-protein diets. A balanced Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and unsaturated fats, shows promises in improving the prognosis for CKD patients. Plant-based diets, which emphasize legumes, vegetables, and grains while minimizing animal protein, improve blood pressure and the glycemic and lipid control. Low-protein diets (LPDs), typically providing less than 0.6 g/kg/day of protein, may reduce the CKD progression and nitrogen burden, further delaying the initiation of dialysis. In conclusion, diets represent a valuable and underutilized therapeutic strategy in the management of CKD and KTs, influencing disease progression and patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-eaea3f419ad74fcd98d7ffa1ec6b604b2025-08-20T02:21:07ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-05-0115689610.3390/life15060896Individualized Diets in Patients with Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplants: A Narrative ReviewLilio Hu0Greta Borelli1Elisa Gessaroli2Chiara Ruotolo3Sofia Bin4Giuliana Papalia5Gemma Patella6Maria Elena Liberti7Olga Baraldi8Gianluigi Zaza9Irene Capelli10Michele Provenzano11Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDivision of Nephrology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyNephrology, Dialysis and Renal Transplant Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende-Hospital ‘SS. Annunziata’, 87100 Cosenza, ItalyDepartment of Nephrology and Dialysis, ASP Cosenza, 87100 Cosenza, ItalyDivision of Nephrology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyNephrology, Dialysis and Renal Transplant Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende-Hospital ‘SS. Annunziata’, 87100 Cosenza, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyNephrology, Dialysis and Renal Transplant Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende-Hospital ‘SS. Annunziata’, 87100 Cosenza, ItalyChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread condition with significant cardiovascular risks and a progression to end-stage kidney failure. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the role of dietary interventions as a factor capable of influencing disease trajectory. This review summarizes the current observational and interventional evidence on various dietary approaches in patients with CKD and kidney transplants (KTs), including Mediterranean, plant-based, and low-protein diets. A balanced Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and unsaturated fats, shows promises in improving the prognosis for CKD patients. Plant-based diets, which emphasize legumes, vegetables, and grains while minimizing animal protein, improve blood pressure and the glycemic and lipid control. Low-protein diets (LPDs), typically providing less than 0.6 g/kg/day of protein, may reduce the CKD progression and nitrogen burden, further delaying the initiation of dialysis. In conclusion, diets represent a valuable and underutilized therapeutic strategy in the management of CKD and KTs, influencing disease progression and patient outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/6/896chronic kidney diseasekidney transplantmediterranean dietalkaline dietlow-protein diet
spellingShingle Lilio Hu
Greta Borelli
Elisa Gessaroli
Chiara Ruotolo
Sofia Bin
Giuliana Papalia
Gemma Patella
Maria Elena Liberti
Olga Baraldi
Gianluigi Zaza
Irene Capelli
Michele Provenzano
Individualized Diets in Patients with Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplants: A Narrative Review
Life
chronic kidney disease
kidney transplant
mediterranean diet
alkaline diet
low-protein diet
title Individualized Diets in Patients with Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplants: A Narrative Review
title_full Individualized Diets in Patients with Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplants: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr Individualized Diets in Patients with Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplants: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed Individualized Diets in Patients with Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplants: A Narrative Review
title_short Individualized Diets in Patients with Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplants: A Narrative Review
title_sort individualized diets in patients with kidney disease and kidney transplants a narrative review
topic chronic kidney disease
kidney transplant
mediterranean diet
alkaline diet
low-protein diet
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/6/896
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