Preventing Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease with Plant-Based Diet

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with high incidence of morbidity, mortality, and is a costly burden to the healthcare system [1,2]. CKD is now the 8th leading cause of death in the United States and affects 14% of its people [3]. As CKD progresses, cardiovascular mortality rises, eventually becoming the most common cause of death among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients [4,5]. There is a growing interest in the dietary treatment of CKD, and a Plant-Based low-protein vegetarian diet has shown to be safe and effective in both treating and in slowing the progression of CKD [6]. These were treated with a stent to RCA and another stent to LAD with excellent angiographic results, with resolution of symptoms. At that time, her medications included Cozaar 50 mg po daily, Lopressor 50 mg po twice daily, Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg po daily, Nitro-patch 2% topically daily, Zocor 40 mg po daily, Fenofibrate 134 mg po daily, Aspirin 81 mg po daily, Plavix 75 mg po daily, Neurontin 100 mg po daily. On 3/13/2014, after discharge from hospital, she was seen in our Cardiovascular Wellness Clinic for continued care. She weighed 207 pounds (BMI 30.55 kg/m2), blood pressure was 140/80 mm of Hg, and heart rate was 64 beats per minute. The lipid profile revealed a total cholesterol of 254 mg/dl, triglyceride 123 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol 51 mg/dl, and LDL cholesterol were 179 mg/dl. Evaluation of renal function revealed blood urea nitrogen of 31 mg/dl and creatinine was 1.4 mg/dl, and eGFR of 44 ml/min/1.73 m2 of body surface area.