Shedding some excess weight through diet, exercise or surgery may help obese adults with kidney disease ward off further decline in kidney function, according to new research from Ohio's Cleveland Clinic.
The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and excrete them in the urine. When damaged, their ability to perform these vital functions is reduced.
In this study, a team of scientists pooled data from 13 studies that examined the impact on kidney function of weight loss achieved through diet, exercise, or surgery.
In obese adults with kidney disease, losing weight through diet and exercise reduced one hallmark of kidney damage called proteinuria. (Proteinuria is excess excretion of protein in the urine.)
Obesity, which is characterized by a body mass index (BMI) over 30, affects 23 percent of Canadians over the age of 18, according to the most recent report from Statistics Canada.
According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, an estimated 2 million Canadians have kidney disease, or are at risk due to excess body weight.
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.