Question:
From London, Ontario Canada:
I have been Type 1 diabetic for 40 1/2 years. I now have kidney disease.
My last test show my protein or creatinine level (I'm not sure which one
it was) was 3.5. The doctor said it should be no more than 1.5. Is it too
late for me to try Dr. Atkins or Dr. Richard Bernstein's low carb diet?
My doctor says this kind of diet would be too much protein and cause further
damage to the kidneys. But Dr. Richard Bernstein wrote in his book
that he also was a long term diabetic with kidney damage when he started low
carbing. Do you know of any evidence that a low carb diet, which would
lower blood sugars, would help or reverse some of the kidney damage?
Answer:
I do not know of any research that says the high protein diet would be
appropriate for someone with kidney damage. I am wondering if you could
get in touch with a dietitian and your medical team and express your
concerns to see if they have an idea of how to get blood sugars down.
Maybe just a closer look at what foods you are eating and a modification
in insulin would help you lower blood sugars without the risk of too
much protein in the diet.
JM
Original posting 27 Mar 1998
Posted to Complications
and Meal Planning, Food and Diet
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