Brief Summary
Dr. Ken Berry discusses how to protect kidney function by identifying factors that harm kidneys and debunking common misconceptions. He emphasizes the importance of managing blood sugar, insulin levels, and blood pressure through diet. He also addresses the impact of anti-inflammatories, tobacco, alcohol, and high-oxalate diets on kidney health. Additionally, he refutes the myths about protein, saturated fat, keto/carnivore diets, caffeine, and salt intake, providing evidence-based insights for kidney health.
- High blood sugar and insulin levels, high blood pressure, anti-inflammatories, smoking, alcohol, and high-oxalate diets can harm kidney function.
- Common beliefs about protein, saturated fat, keto/carnivore diets, caffeine, and salt intake being harmful to kidneys are largely unsupported by evidence.
Introduction
Dr. Berry introduces the importance of kidney function and addresses common misinformation that can lead to harmful practices. He aims to educate viewers on factors that destroy kidney function and debunk prevalent myths perpetuated by doctors. He highlights the kidney's role beyond just filtering blood and emphasizes the negative impacts of suboptimal kidney function on overall health.
Seven Things That Destroy Kidney Function
The primary factor that damages kidney function is chronically high blood sugar, stemming from pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or uncontrolled type 1 diabetes. Elevated blood sugar destroys nephrons, the functional units of the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease. This advice is also applicable to individuals with polycystic kidney disease. Lowering carbohydrate intake through diet is crucial to maintaining normal blood sugar levels and protecting kidney function.
Chronically High Insulin Levels
Chronically high insulin levels, or hyperinsulinemia, also damage the kidneys. This condition often results from high-carbohydrate diets and the use of medications that lower blood sugar by increasing insulin production. Reducing carbohydrate intake helps lower blood sugar, reducing the need for excessive insulin production by the pancreas or through medication.
Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is another significant factor in kidney damage. Essential hypertension is often caused by chronic hyperinsulinemia, which leads to fluid retention and edema. Lowering carbohydrate intake reduces blood sugar and insulin levels, which helps the body release excess fluid and normalize blood pressure.
Taking Anti-Inflammatories on a Daily Basis
Daily use of anti-inflammatory medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, can harm the kidneys over time. While occasional use for acute injuries is acceptable, prolonged daily use can lead to kidney damage.
Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Using tobacco in any form creates inflammatory molecules that negatively affect kidney function. It is advised to gradually reduce and eventually stop tobacco use to protect kidney health.
Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Continuous, excessive alcohol consumption can damage kidney function. Occasional drinking is not as harmful, but daily alcohol abuse should be reduced to protect the kidneys.
Eating or Drinking a High Oxalate Diet
A diet high in oxalates can lead to kidney stone formation, particularly calcium oxalate stones. While many doctors focus on calcium, reducing oxalate intake is crucial, especially for those with a history of kidney stones. Large kidney stones can obstruct the ureter, causing back pressure and damaging kidney function.
Five Big Fat Lies Doctors Tell Patients
Dr. Berry addresses five common misconceptions doctors often tell patients regarding kidney health, which are not supported by scientific evidence.
Eating Too Much Protein
The idea that eating too much protein, especially animal protein, harms the kidneys is a myth. Research indicates that consuming healthy animal protein does not negatively affect kidney function. While excessive intake of highly concentrated protein shakes could potentially cause harm, obtaining protein from natural animal sources is not detrimental.
Getting Too Much Saturated Fat
The claim that saturated fat is harmful to the kidneys is not supported by research. There is no evidence to suggest that a diet high in healthy saturated fats from sources like coconut oil or animal foods damages the kidneys.
Don't Eat Keto or Carnivore
The belief that ketogenic or carnivore diets are bad for the kidneys is unfounded. There is no controlled research to prove or suggest that these diets are harmful. Doctors who advise against these diets may lack a fundamental understanding of renal physiology and are influenced by popular myths.
You Need to Limit Caffeine
Limiting caffeine to protect the kidneys is another unsupported claim. Decades of research have failed to show that reasonable caffeine consumption, such as one to four cups of coffee a day, harms kidney function.
Lower Your Salt Intake to Protect Your Kidneys
The recommendation to lower salt intake to protect the kidneys lacks physiological and ancestral support. There is no research indicating that an adequate salt diet, where food is salted to taste, harms the kidneys. Human beings have historically sought out sources of sodium, and taste should guide salt consumption.
Conclusion
Dr. Berry advises viewers to avoid the seven harmful factors discussed earlier and disregard the five unsupported claims. He shares testimonials of people with chronic kidney disease who improved their kidney function through keto or carnivore diets. He encourages viewers to explore resources on keto and carnivore diets for further information.
