Dealing with doctors over your diabetes diet

Q: Will eating more protein and less carbohydrate damage my kidneys?

A: No. The claim that protein intake leads to kidney disease is another popular myth that is not supported by the facts and there is not one study in which kidney damage has been demonstrated — not one. Although protein restricted diets may helpful for men who already have kidney disease, eating meat does not cause kidney problems.² With women the situation is different: It doesn't seem to matter whether women have kidney disease or not, protein neither causes nor worsens the condition. Furthermore, the fat-soluble vitamins and saturated fatty acids found in animal foods are necessary for properly functioning kidneys.³ In an Israeli study, the kidney function of a group of healthy individuals consuming an ad libitum high-protein diet was compared to a group of healthy vegetarians eating a low-protein diet. At the end of the study, the authors concluded that protein did not affect kidney function in normal kidneys, and it did not influence the deterioration of kidney function with age.⁴ They say 'These results suggest that, in contrast with the important therapeutic effect of low-protein intake on the progressive deterioration of kidney function in diseased kidneys, such a diet does not significantly affect kidney function with "normal aging" in healthy subjects.'

On the other hand, sugar has been implicated in kidney disease.⁵ So the answer is to give up simple sugars table sugar, honey and fruits.⁶

If you're unsure whether your kidneys are healthy, consult your doctor before changing your diet.

There is one other point. This is not a high-protein diet. So this question is not really relevant.