+2
High protein diets, such as the Dukan Diet which is followed by Carole Middleton, can cause kidney disease in the long term, researchers claim
Following high protein diets can increase the risk of developing kidney disease, new research suggests.
Researchers believe the diets, such as the popular Dukan Diet - favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge's mother Carole Middleton - increase the long term risk of developing the disease.
Spanish scientists say eating a lot of protein can also increase the risk of kidney stones.
This is because it reduces the body’s levels of urinary citrate – this prevents the crystallisation of calcium salt. Calcium is a key component of kidney stones.
It also reduces urinary pH and increases the level of calcium in the urine.
This combination of factors means kidney stones are more likely to form.
Scientists at the University of Granada carried out experiments using rats as a way of assessing the effects of a high protein diet.
They fed 10 rats a high protein diet made up of 45 per cent protein.
They also fed another 10 rats – the control group – a normal diet.
The experiment lasted 12 weeks, which is the equivalent of nine years in human terms.
During the experiment, the rats that were put on a high protein diet lost 10 per cent of their body weight.
However, there was no reduction in their cholesterol levels or in the amount of fat in their blood.
Also, these rats had 88 per cent lower levels of urinary citrate and their urine was 15 per cent more acidic.
This means they were at much higher risk of kidney stones.
+2
The Dukan Diet, which is also thought to be followed by Jennifer Lopez, could increase a person's risk of developing kidney stones
As a result of these findings, the researchers suggest people who follow a high protein diet should be monitored closely for health problems.
Dr Virginia Aparicio added that some of the health problems associated with these diets could be offset by eating a lot of fruit and vegetables.
She said: ‘Eating large amounts of fruit and vegetables reduces the risk of kidney stones forming-probably due to their high potassium and magnesium content, which compensates for the acidity of the high-protein diet.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2544640/How-Dukan-Diet-kidney-disease-High-protein-diets-cause-renal-problems-long-term.html#ixzz2rHFBZZ4i
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
