Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the value of the Keto diet. I am age 77. At age 71 I went Keto, and hey presto, my high blood pressure, blood glucose levels went back to recommended levels, my arthritis disappeared, acid reflux the same. I started long distance running, won a few prizes and actually managed one marathon.
A routine blood test showed that I had kidney disease at an advanced stage which explained my rapid loss of energy for running (I am now happy if I can run half a kilometre a day), nocturia and nightly cramps. Blood sugar still in the 90.s.
I struggled against giving up Keto, especially as recommendations for CKD diet are so unclear and contradictory, apart from reducing protein and salt.
So, a week ago, I stopped Keto and am eating about 60 -70g carbs daily on a low protein CKD diet. Result: nightly cramps no longer waking me 5 -6 times a night, and more energy. Nocturia less. Blood pressure is up but apparently this will go back after a week or so.
Taking exogenous ketones isn’t a solution as it contains high amounts of sodium, and potassium.
Thanks for any recommendations.
How my Keto story worked out
I wish I had advice for you, but unfortunately, I don’t. I’ve always had trouble with my electrolytes on keto so in the past year, I upped my carbs to 50-100 grams per day. I was sleeping better and holding onto my electrolytes better. Sounds similar to you with adding in the carbs.
Do you check your ketones? I would imagine with 60-70 g of carbs a day you may still be in ketosis or moving in and out of it throughout the course of a day. Sounds like you had a lot of healing when you started keto. Maybe having your 60-70 g of carbs daily is a natural progression in your healing journey?
As far a exogenous ketones are concerned, how about MCT oil or coconut oil?
I’m sorry to hear about your kidney troubles. Are there any theories as to what caused it?
I would highly recommend you read Dr. Jason Fung’s extensive writings on fasting. He is a nephrologist and low-carbohydrate diet advocate who promotes intermittent and extended fasting.
My Mother died of complications from type 2 diabetes. One was kidney failure. She was on dialysis for a brief time. I wish we had had Dr. Fung when she was so sick. I think her life would have been longer and of much better quality…
I have nothing against people upping their carbs, in fact want to have a thread on those who have done this.
But basically all of my family have had T2 diabetes: both grandparents on my mom’s side; many relatives from my mom’s side; my dad.
I have checked my ketones after 100g of carbs two days in a row, and was still making ketones at a lower level. The problem was the first day was 100g after body weight training; the second day was not. The first day, I felt fine. The second day, I got tired, hungry, etc., all the stuff I got when I was high carb and why I’m still keto.
I’d need a continuous ketone monitor, though, because taking 1-2 ketone readings a day probably don’t tell you a lot.
Anyway, if higher carbs helps, I see nothing wrong with this. Not everyone needs to be keto forever.
My kidney problems probably started long ago when I was a heavy drinker. Keto probably helped me to stop, not bad, as my sister-in -law in immediately next door and would sell me beer over the garden wall! So. upping my protein as is is usual when going Keto, as well as building up for my long distance running probably didn’t help.
Coconut oil I use for cooking, but it is heavy in saturated fat, which damaged kidneys have trouble processing.
Thanks
Yes, I decided to do a kidney friendly version of fasting, that is 12 - 14 hours between meals, which will be easier on my kidneys and no problem as I was previously doing 18/6 or OMAD. Thanks for reminding me about Mr Fung!
MCT is different. If you try it, start slow- like 1/2 teaspoon. https://academic.oup.com/ndt/article/38/Supplement_1/gfad063d_6559/7196145?login=false
OK, I will try a small quantity of oil. My previous mention of the presence of salts refers, of course, to esther salts, which contain added minerals and stuff.
The quantities of MCT in the study were high, but I doubt you’ll need that much since even with adding carbs, you’ll still be low and engaged in some time restricted eating.
Since we’re discussing MCT, I have a question.
This morning with my black tea I added a little over a teaspoon of MCT oil. A couple of hours later my blood ketones are 1.6mmol.
Would/will MCT affect my blood Ketone reading ?
Did a search after I asked and the answer is yes it will increase blood ketones.
Read a little further and when I’m in a state of ketosis, I’ll just try it as an energy boost with my morning cup of tea if I feel a little sluggish when I get out of bed. Also I’m going to try a teaspoon or two before my next few 35-45 brisk pace sessions on the treadmill and also when I strength train to see if I feel and difference.
Yeah, the effect doesn’t last that long, but you will get higher ketones. Whether it helps with exercise or not, I don’t know.
I’ve never seen contradictory stuff, fill up your tanks, and when you deplete top them back off in a few days. In the end that’s all CKD is. FWIW, I’ve done way better since going to a TKD/CKD Hybrid than I was after 4yrs of standard keto.
On the low protein, be careful. You still need the protein your body needs to maintain muscle, you just can’t slam your system with it any more (if you were doing that). Needs to be more broken up to ease the load, and different proteins are easier/harder on digestion than others are.
Don’t forget about things like digestive enzymes, betaine HCL, protease, all help you with digesting them better /easier.
Look into the Peptide Bioregulator Pielotax.
I took 3 courses of the one for eyes (Visoluten) and didn’t need my glasses for almost 3 years, and no longer had high eye pressure.
On any subject, scientists (apart from Climate scientists, of course) will be presenting contradictory views. I don’t get my ideas from YouTube videos but have been looking at scientific papers, which can be quite challenging.
It most certainly isn’t a simple matter: what stage of CKD are you at, what is your diet and exercise status, diabetic or not, high blood pressure or not, etc.
Just checking, ckd = chronic kidney disease and tkd = tubulointerstitial kidney disease?
It’s really good that stepping away from strict Keto has already eased your cramps, improved energy, and reduced nocturia — that’s a clear sign your body is responding to the change. CKD diets can be really confusing and sometimes contradictory, so working with a renal dietitian might help you balance carbs and protein while keeping the benefits you gained from Keto.I’ve also found that focusing on simple, consistent daily wellness habits can make lifestyle adjustments easier. This article has some practical ideas that might help with creating that balance: https://betterme.world/articles/wellness-ideas-for-employees/
High Cooked,
I have developed 2 different diets for myself. This time of year I do a med fat, high protein and low carb version of keto - keeping net carbs to around 50 gr/day. The rest of the year I do a low carb, med protein and med fat version - it is not low carb enough to stay in ketosis. The thing about carbs is that most types are not very beneficial, and need to be eliminated from the diet. My diets focus on getting carbs from foods rich in soluble fiber, esp inulin. In fact I try to get some of these carbs with every meal. High protein diets can be very stressful for the kidneys. My suggestion is to eat a lot of cooked cruciferous vegetables, esp broccoli, and asparagus almost every week. These are the highest in inulin in the common vegetables. Jerusalem artichoke is higher though. Inulin does not count towards carb calories, but will get converted in the healthy microbiome into acetate. What does not get used by your colonocytes will go into your blood stream, and make your arteries healthier. The endothelial cells like too burn SCFAs even more than ketones. Having good blood flow in the kidneys may help you considerably. My experience using these soluble fiber foods even with keto is that they don’t block ketosis, and I lose fat. Carb sources without soluble fiber should be strictly avoided. After eating your meat, try eating all these soluble fiber foods you want - I would wager things will improve for you within a month or two. I cook mine with grass-fed butter and Herbamare.