Fasting diet may aid kidney function, study suggests

A recent study led by researchers from Children's Hospital Los Angeles and USC's Longevity Institute shows promising results for a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) in protecting kidney function. In cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney structures called podocytes often deteriorate, leading to disease progression. This study, published in Science Translational Medicine, involved rodents with CKD that were fed a low-salt, fasting-mimicking diet for six cycles. Results showed a marked slowing in kidney damage, reprogramming of podocytes, and restoration of the kidney's filtration structures.

The animals that received the FMD exhibited significantly lower markers of kidney injury, such as albumin-to-creatine ratio and blood urea nitrogen levels, compared to those fed a regular diet. Moreover, molecular analyses revealed that the kidney cells in these animals began to resemble those of healthy rats, indicating that the diet induced beneficial changes in gene expression related to kidney function. This reprogramming effect suggests that FMD might play a role in cellular regeneration and in preventing further damage in kidney disease.

In a pilot study involving 13 CKD patients, the diet cycles showed protective effects by reducing proteinuria and enhancing endothelial function. This outcome points to potential benefits for humans, as the diet appears to trigger similar cellular changes seen in animal models. Dr. Valter Longo, a co-researcher, suggests that FMD could hold promise as a non-invasive intervention for progressive kidney disease, though larger human trials are needed to confirm these benefits fully.