Kidney Week 2025 Annual Meeting-Nutrition and CKD: From Prevention of Progression to Post-Transplant Diet

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session, moderated by nephrologist Kam Kalantar-Zadeh, argues that preserving kidney function and delaying dialysis requires an integrated approach combining medications with lifestyle and nutrition. He challenges traditional CKD staging, emphasizing practical categories of “low” and “very low” kidney function, and highlights how protein intake affects kidney workload (hyperfiltration). He outlines low-protein diets (0.6–0.8 g/kg/day, near the RDA) and very-low-protein diets (0.3–0.4 g/kg/day), stressing that protein needs rise once on dialysis. Diet “quality” also matters, fueling interest in plant-dominant low-protein (“PLADO”) patterns, while noting pitfalls: processed plant foods, glycemic load, potassium fears, and possible gluten-related kidney issues. He calls for better evidence, adherence monitoring, and value-based incentives to safely delay dialysis.<br /><br />A patient-expert panel shares lived experiences. Andrew Stoffer, a biology professor with lupus nephritis, describes progressing to dialysis, learning the hidden harms of processed foods (especially sodium), then receiving a transplant and navigating ongoing nutrition/medication complexities. Pediatric GI physician Sarah Cardew describes avoiding dialysis despite very low GFR by closely tracking labs, adopting an ovo-pescetarian renal diet, prioritizing muscle mass and heart health, minimizing processed foods and phosphorus additives, and tailoring electrolytes; she cautions that soy worsened hormonal symptoms. Advocate Shamika Marty stresses inconsistent transplant nutrition guidance, equity and cultural relevance, and co-designing education with patients. Chef Dwayne Sunwald credits diet and flavor-focused cooking for long-term remission from FSGS, advocating practical culinary tools, peer mentoring, and consistent multidisciplinary messaging. The discussion underscores access barriers, cautious supplement use, and the need for standardized, patient-centered nutrition training in nephrology.

Asset Subtitle

Moderator(s): Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, Connie Rhee

Presentation(s):

Introduction - Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh
CKD and Nutrition from Stage 2 to Stage 5 and Beyond - Andrew Storfer
Nutrition and CKD: Living a Healthy Lifestyle - Sara Karjoo
Patient-Based Advocacy for Consistency Among Medical Institutions in Nutrition Training - Shamekka Marty
Patient-Centered Outcomes in Nutrition Management for Kidney Diseases - Duane Sunwold

Meta Tag

Date 11/7/2025

Pathway 1 CKD Non-Dialysis

Pathway 2 Kidney Transplantation

Session ID 511447

Keywords

chronic kidney disease (CKD)

kidney function preservation

delay dialysis

low-protein diet

very-low-protein diet

protein hyperfiltration

plant-dominant low-protein (PLADO)

renal nutrition

processed foods

sodium restriction

phosphorus additives

potassium management

lupus nephritis

FSGS

kidney transplant nutrition