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As reported by the National Kidney Foundation and The Lancet, chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacts nearly one in ten adults worldwide and is anticipated to rank as the fifth leading cause of death by the year 2040. A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) indicates that adhering to the EAT–Lancet planetary health diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods while minimizing red meat and processed products, could decrease the likelihood of developing kidney disease.

The study, which monitored nearly 180,000 adults over a span of more than 12 years, is titled The EAT–Lancet planetary health diet and risk of incident chronic kidney disease. It found that individuals who adhered more closely to this diet experienced a modest yet consistent decrease in the risk of chronic kidney disease, with genetic factors and living conditions also playing a role in the observed benefits.

What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to a prolonged deterioration in kidney function that may progress unnoticed over several years. By the time symptoms manifest, considerable damage could have already occurred. CKD heightens the likelihood of heart disease, premature mortality, and ultimately kidney failure, necessitating dialysis or transplantation.

What is the EAT–Lancet planetary health diet?

The EAT–Lancet diet represents a “planetary health” dietary framework intended to benefit both individuals and the environment. It prioritizes the consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated fats, while minimizing the intake of red meat, added sugars, saturated fats, and ultra-processed foods. In contrast to many trending diets, it also takes into account the aspect of environmental sustainability.

What did the study find?

Researchers examined data from 179,508 participants in the UK Biobank who were free of kidney disease at the outset. Dietary patterns were evaluated through repeated 24-hour food recalls, and participants were monitored for a median duration of 12.1 years. Throughout this timeframe, approximately 4,800 individuals developed chronic kidney disease.

The researchers employed various scoring techniques to assess the extent to which individuals adhered to the EAT–Lancet diet, revealing that those with greater adherence exhibited a 6–9 percent reduced risk of developing CKD. The closer individuals adhered to the diet, the lower their risk became.

Significantly, other nutritious eating patterns such as DASH, Mediterranean, and plant-based diets demonstrated comparable kidney health benefits, indicating that plant-forward, minimally processed diets possess shared protective characteristics.

What are the reasons the EAT–Lancet diet may safeguard kidney health?

The research investigated biological mechanisms through metabolomics and proteomics, monitoring small molecules and proteins associated with dietary habits.

The researchers discovered specific metabolic and protein markers linked to the EAT–Lancet diet that correlated with a reduced risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). These markers accounted for approximately 18–27 percent of the diet’s protective impact. Significant pathways included the regulation of inflammation, improved fat profiles, maintenance of fluid balance, and diminished indicators of kidney damage, all of which correspond with the current medical understanding of kidney injury development.

In what ways do genetics and environmental factors affect the advantages of the EAT–Lancet diet?

The study indicated that individuals possessing a specific genetic variant (rs2010352 GG) experienced enhanced kidney protection due to the diet. Additionally, it was observed that individuals residing in areas with limited green spaces seemed to gain more from adhering to the diet, implying that healthy eating could partially mitigate environmental drawbacks.

This suggests the possibility of more personalized nutrition, where dietary recommendations could eventually be customized based on an individual’s genetic makeup and living circumstances, rather than solely on weight or blood analysis.

The researchers also emphasized the critical nature of managing blood pressure, controlling diabetes, engaging in physical activity, and refraining from smoking.

They underscored the necessity of increasing the intake of plant-based foods, opting for whole foods, reducing consumption of red meat, sugar, and ultra-processed products, and prioritizing healthy fats. These dietary choices may not only enhance heart and metabolic health but could also contribute to long-term kidney protection.