• April 19, 2024

Lose weight, reduce the Abdominal fat and limiting processed foods and other sources of dietary phosphorus could help reduce the risk of kidney disease, according to a recent study of the Johns Hopkins University.

Phosphorus is added to many processed foods to increase its flavor and lengthen its period of consumption. There are high levels of phosphorus naturally in animal, dairy and plant proteins, the study leader said. Dr. Alex Chang, of the Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore.

Excess protein in the urine

The study of almost 500 people with overweight or obesity , who had enrolled in a program for a healthy lifestyle, found that waist reduction and dietary phosphorus consumption were associated with lower levels of protein in the urine (albuminuria), which is an early sign of kidney disease.

After six months, participants' waists were reduced by an average of 4.3 centimeters (1.7 inches) and experienced a 25% reduction in protein in the urine. The researchers also found that a reduction of 314 milligrams in phosphorus excretion resulted in an 11% decrease in urine protein.

Other studies have suggested that losing weight can slow the progression of kidney disease, but this is the first research study to support the loss of Abdominal fat and the limitation of phosphorus consumption as a possible way of preventing them from appearing in the first place, commented the Dr. Joseph Vassalotti, medical director of the National Kidney Foundation.

Limit phosphorus consumption

"A good rule of thumb is that if the food comes in a package, it probably has a high phosphorus level," he said. "Approximately 90% of the phosphorus additives are absorbed by the body."

To limit phosphorus consumption, look for the words "PHOS" on food labels. But phosphorus does not always appear on food labels, Vassalotti said, so it is necessary to know the probable sources.

Among these are processed foods such as dark cola drinks, cereals and flavored water; dairy products such as cheese, milk, cream, ice cream and yogurt; the proteins of animals such as cold meats, organ meats, meat tenderizers, oysters and sardines.

In addition to dried beans, lentils, peas, nuts and seeds (including peanut butter and other nut butters), cocoa (including beverages based on chocolate and puddings).

Video Medicine: Proteinuria: what is it, and what causes it? (April 2024).