Alteration of the course of chronic renal failure by dietary protein restriction.

Abstract

The role of dietary protein restriction in the progression of chronic renal failure has been investigated in 47 patients suffering with moderate and severe renal impairment. Prescription of a diet containing 0.6g/kg body weight protein resulted in 87 per cent of the patients exhibiting a diminution in the decline of renal function, as assessed by a reciprocal creatinine plot. Those patients with the most rapidly declining renal function showed the greatest response, but no correlation with initial renal function, age, sex or drug therapy could be found. No adverse nutritional effects, within the parameters examined, was found.