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Changes in renal function during weight loss induced by high vs low-protein low-fat diets in overweight subjects

International Journal of Obesity volume 23, pages 1170–1177 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Due to the high satiating effect of protein, a high-protein diet may be desirable in the treatment of obesity. However the long-term effect of different levels of protein intake on renal function is unclear.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the renal effects of high vs low protein contents in fat-reduced diets.

DESIGN: Randomized 6 months dietary intervention study comparing two controlled ad libitum diets with 30 energy (E%) fat content: high-protein (HP; 25 E%) or low-protein, (LP, 12 E% protein). All food was provided by self-selection in a shop at the department, and high compliance to the diet composition was confirmed by measurements of urinary nitrogen excretion.

SUBJECTS: 65 healthy, overweight and obese (25<body mass index (BMI)<34 kg/m2).

RESULTS: Dietary protein intake changed from 91.1 g/d to a 6 months intervention average of 70.4 g/d (P<0.05) in the LP group and from 91.4 g/d to 107.8 g/d (P<0.05) in the HP group, producing changes in glomular filtration rate (GFR) of −7.1 ml/min in the LP group and +5.2 ml/min in the HP group (group effect: P<0.05). Kidney volume decreased by −6.2 cm3 in the LP group and increased by +9.1 cm3 in the HP group (P<0.05), whereas albuminuria remained unchanged in all groups.

CONCLUSION: Moderate changes in dietary protein intake cause adaptive alterations in renal size and function without indications of adverse effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark

    A Rosenvinge Skov, S Toubro & A Astrup

  2. Department of Clinical Physiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    J Bülow

  3. Danish Research Centre of Magnetic Resonance, Hvidovre University Hospital, Denmark

    K Krabbe

  4. Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark

    H-H Parving

Authors
  1. A Rosenvinge Skov
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  2. S Toubro
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  3. J Bülow
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  4. K Krabbe
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  5. H-H Parving
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  6. A Astrup
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Correspondence to A Astrup.

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Rosenvinge Skov, A., Toubro, S., Bülow, J. et al. Changes in renal function during weight loss induced by high vs low-protein low-fat diets in overweight subjects. Int J Obes 23, 1170–1177 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801048

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801048

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