Medical issues re protein - Can you still keto?


(icky) #1

Hi Forum,

I have a question, I know some folks who have medical issues re not being allowed to consume too much protein (related to kidneys). Obviously the doctor’s orders re limiting protein intake are very strict.

Is it still possible to keto, do you think?

Given that the emphasis is on low carbs and high fat, I would assume so, but a) I haven’t a clue and b) it’d be cool to hear from anyone who actually knows because they deal with similar medical issues and do keto.

Thanx :blush:


(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

How much protein do you eat a day? Just curious.

Since a ketogenic diet is about restricting carbohydrate and replacing the missing calories with fat, people’s protein level doesn’t generally change much with the change in eating habits. Whether a well-formulated ketogenic diet will heal your kidneys is anyone’s guess, but there is at least the possibility that it will, depending on how they got damaged in the first place.


(icky) #3

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your answer!

This question is for a friend, not for me.

I’m not sure how much he needs to reduce protein to, but I think he needs to limit it quite severly due to kidney issues.

I would assume this would also be managable on Keto, but what do I know? :blush:

I will try and find out what the exact limit is per day.

I would be glad if the protein/ kidney issue was not a limiting factor for trying/ doing Keto.

Thank you for your thoughts!!


(icky) #4

I don’t think that this is going to be an issue, tho any health benefits will obviously also be beneficial for the kidneys.

I guess my question is just whether LCHF is possible if it needs to be very low protein, or if that throws everything out of whack.


(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

Nope. The key points are Low-Carb and High-Fat. Any calories your friend doesn’t get from protein or carbohydrate can come from fat, the benefit being that fat has twice the calories so you don’t need as much of it. Moreover, fat is tasty and satisfying. Remind your friend also that meat is only around a quarter protein, so the limit is not perhaps as bad as it might appear. I’d love to know what his doctor recommends. I have seen recommendations for daily protein intake by keto experts ranging from 0.6 g/kg of lean body mass to 1.5 g/kg. I have a bet with myself that the doctor’s recommendation will fall within that range.

Keeping carbohydrate as low as possible has the added benefit that keeping insulin secretion low is key to reducing inflammatory markers throughout the body. Not only that, but beta-hydroxybutyrate, the main ketone body that the body produces when insulin is low, appears to have inflammation-lowering abilities of its own, quite apart from the benefits of low insulin.


(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!) #6

This is an abstract of one study that showed that beta-hydroxybutyrate lower inflammation.

Been keto for 3 years. Not been sick in those 3 years and was frequently sick before.


(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #7

My boyfriend Kevin is stage 5 kidney disease on dialysis. You cannot get any more “kidney issues” than that. He’s been ketogenic 10 months now.
Keto is low carb, MODERATE protein, and high fat.
There is a misunderstanding that the ketogenic diet is high protein like the Atkins diet was.
It is not.
The ketogenic diet is MODERATE protein. A good example of this would be IDMprogram.com and Dr.Jason Fung’s recommendation of .5 grams protein per kilogram of body weight.


(icky) #8

Hi Brenda,

Thanks! :slight_smile:

Personally, I’m aware that Keto does not = high protein, but I agree it’s a very common misconception.

I was just wondering whether Keto was compatible with “very very low protein” too, so thank you for your response re your boyfriend. You are right, dialysis is as much kidney/ protein issues as you can get.

I hope keto is helping to support your boyfriend’s health. I have a few friends on dialysis and saying it’s a challenge for them doesn’t begin to describe it.

Best wishes to Kevin!


(icky) #9

@Brenda may I ask, what protein macro your boyfriend aims for? I assume he reduces his protein so it’s less than Dr. Fung’s 0.5 g/ kg BW recommendation?


(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #10

Not really. It would calculate at 53 grams protein, which is approximately 7 ounces cooked meat.