title: Vegetarian diet alternated with conventional low-protein diet for patients with chronic renal failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A dietary management program, consisting of the alternation between a vegetarian low-protein diet (VD) and an animal-based conventional low-protein diet (CLPD), aims to increase foods choices and to improve compliance with dietary prescriptions, psychologic aspects, and the quality of life of renal patients. The present study investigates the subjective effects and the practical consequences of this dietary approach in patients with chronic renal failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients (13 men, 7 women, 53 +/- 10 years) with chronic renal failure (creatinine clearance, <45 mL/min) were given the possibility to alternate (at their own convenience) the CLPD with the VD. After a follow-up period of 9 +/- 8 months, biochemistries were drawn and a questionnaire was mailed to asses the patients' subjective remarks about the proposed dietary management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the patients (90%) favorably accepted this dietary schedule because it provided more variety, it was less repetitive, and it was more suitable for those leading an active life. In many cases, patients reported that their quality of life and some psychologic problems were improved, as well as the palatability of the diet. On this dietary regimen, monthly demands of starch-made foods can be reduced and, hence, the social and/or individual costs. These features contributed to better compliance with dietary prescriptions. Nutritional parameters did not change significantly, and a decrease in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our observations suggest that alternating between an animal-based CLPD and a vegetable-based VD can provide a useful dietary management for renal patients, giving them more chances for long-lasting dietary compliance.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Pisa, Italia.
authors.forename: Adamasco
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cupisti
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meola
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barsotti
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barsotti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000523:psychology; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000523:psychology; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins