title: Low-protein diets in CKD: how can we achieve them? A narrative, pragmatic review.
abstract: Low-protein diets (LPDs) have encountered various fortunes, and several questions remain open. No single study, including the famous Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, was conclusive and even if systematic reviews are in favour of protein restriction, at least in non-diabetic adults, implementation is lagging. LPDs are considered difficult, malnutrition is a threat and compliance is poor. LPDs have been reappraised in this era of reconsideration of dialysis indications and timing. The definition of a normal-adequate protein diet has shifted in the overall population from 1 to 1.2 to 0.8 g/kg/day. Vegan-vegetarian diets are increasingly widespread, thus setting the groundwork for easier integration of moderate protein restriction in Chronic Kidney Disease. There are four main moderately restricted LPDs (0.6 g/kg/day). Two of them require careful planning of quantity and quality of food: a 'traditional' one, with mixed proteins that works on the quantity and quality of food and a vegan one, which integrates grains and legumes. Two further options may be seen as a way to simplify LPDs while being on the safe side for malnutrition: adding supplements of essential amino and keto acids (various doses) allows an easier shift from omnivorous to vegan diets, while protein-free food intake allows for an increase in calories. Very-low-protein diets (vLPDs: 0.3 g/kg/day) combine both approaches and usually require higher doses of supplements. Moderately restricted LPDs may be adapted to virtually any cuisine and should be tailored to the patients' preferences, while vLPDs usually require trained, compliant patients; a broader offer of diet options may lead to more widespread use of LPDs, without competition among the various schemas.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology, Clinical and Biological Sciences Department, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgina Barbara
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Piccoli
authors.affiliation: Nephrology, Clinical and Biological Sciences Department, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Federica Neve
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Vigotti
authors.affiliation: Dietetics, Surgical Sciences Department, S. Anna Hospital , University of Torino , Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.affiliation: Nephrology, Clinical and Biological Sciences Department, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Capizzi
authors.affiliation: Nephrology, S. Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Germana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Daidola
authors.affiliation: Nephrology, Brotzu hospital, Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cabiddu
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nutrition, Clinical and Biological Sciences Department, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Avagnina
keywords: CKD; compliance; keto acids and amino acids; low-protein diets; very-low-protein diets