Can ketogenic dietary interventions slow disease progression in ADPKD: what we know and what we don't

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disease leading to kidney failure. To date, there is no cure for the disease although there is one approved disease-modifying therapy: tolvaptan. In this context, a common question that ADPKD patients ask in clinical practice is whether there is anything they can do to slow their disease by modifying their diet or lifestyle. Recent evidence from experimental PKD models has shown the potential benefits of caloric restriction, high water intake and especially ketogenic diets in preserving kidney function. Whether these benefits are translatable to humans remains unknown. In this issue of CKJ, Strubl et al. report results of a self-enrolled survey of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients who have self-administered a ketogenic diet [1]. These results provide interesting insights into the tolerability, potential benefits and harms of such an intervention that could inform a future clinical trial.

Automated summary

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disease leading to kidney failure, with no cure currently available. Recent studies have shown that caloric restriction, high water intake, and ketogenic diets may have potential benefits in preserving kidney function. However, whether these findings can be translated to humans remains unknown.