Adhering to a Mediterranean diet can help kidney transplant recipients can maintain the health of their kidneys, according to a study published in Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
A study revealed that kidney transplant recipients can maintain the health of their kidneys by following a Mediterranean diet.
Dr. Antonio Gomes-Neto, a nephrologist at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, and his team studied more than 600 kidney transplant recipients, who all answered a food questionnaire.
Researchers conducted an average follow-up of five years. They wanted to confirm whether a Mediterranean-style diet that focuses on vegetables, fruit, legumes, olive oil, fish, and nuts as well as lower intake of dairy and meat could help maintain kidney function.
Based on their data, more than 119 patients experienced a decline in kidney function while 76 developed kidney failure. Their practice of Mediterranean diet was evaluated on a nine-point scoring scale. Figures suggest that for each two-point scoring increase, participants scored a 29% lower risk of reduced kidney function and a 32% lower risk of kidney failure.
It is noted that more than a third of kidney transplant recipients may begin to lose kidney function within 10 years.
"Increasing scientific evidence has demonstrated health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet on cardiovascular and kidney health. In this study, we show that kidney transplant recipients with higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet are less likely to experience function loss of their kidney transplant," Gomes-Neto said in a news release.
A previous study from Columbia University showed that lower animal protein content of the Mediterranean diet keeps kidneys free from stress and lessens the acid on the body. The diet is also rich in fiber and antioxidants, which diminishes inflammation that contributes to the development of kidney disease.
According to UK data, there were 2,400 kidney transplants carried out in 2018 and 2019. The number is closer to the 20,000 record in the US.
