PKD Diet

What is PKD diet?

PKD Diet is an alkaline plant based diet that is low salt, neutral protein intake coupled with drinking adequate water to shut down vasopressin. Alkaline foods generally are fruits and vegetables; enjoy these freely. Acidic foods are animal proteins, these are limited. There are some exceptions. Generally the sweeter the taste of a raw fruit or vegetable, the more alkaline producing it is. Besides animal proteins causing acidity, another acid producing culprit are concentrated sugars and alcohols. So far, through self testing, one usable alkaline sweetener seems to be tupelo honey, with additional dried fruits or bananas or cinnamon. Foods prepared with other sugars have been known to cause urinary pH to register acid (pH 5); raise serum cholesterol, increase symptoms; and oftentimes trigger the onset of a painful migraine.
This diet has been gathered from among our mutual experiences specifically to enhance polycystic kidney, polycystic liver, and polycystic organ health. New information is added as reports of experiences by fellow PKD'rs are described.
If one can eliminate animal proteins, this is better for health, whiling trying to obtain daily essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. Should you find it difficult to eat only plant based foods, then limit animal products to occasional broths, lamb, flat white fish, soft white cheese, cottage cheese, egg yolk, keeping quantities to less than 3 ounces per day and no more frequently than twice a week. Three (3) ounces is about the size of a deck of cards-from a protein chart complied by a PKD'r.
Some plant based protein foods are: sweet potatoes, spelt [the highest amount of protein among grains], cabbage juice, carrot juice, corn, chia seed, and of course nuts, beans, legumes, grains, and seeds. Soak nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, and grains prior to cooking to diminish their phytic acid content. Food becomes more alkaline and digestibility is enhanced.
Protein is set individually to maintain a neutral protein balance, approximately 0.6 grams per kilogram of body weight. Sodium or salt intake is limited to 1/8 teaspoon per day or 1200 mg of sodium daily. Many have tried Himalayan pink crystal salt and have experienced no rise in their blood pressure when using small quantities. With an organ transplant, all salt requires restriction. Drinking enough water to raise serum osmolality just above that of urine, shuts down vasopressin, similar to the still-in-clinical-trials experimental drug, Tolvaptan. Enjoy eating foods that grow from plants of the earth - like fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, seeds, and grains. Utilize things that help and lay aside that which increases symptoms. Starting the day with freshly squeezed lemon juice added to a cup of warm water seems to help quiet symptoms. Ending the day with chamomile or saffron tea helps diminish pain and induces relaxation.

Why Alkaline Foods?

Polycystic kidneys produce more and more acidic wastes that kidneys can no longer purify. Doctors will give PKD patients' alkalizers but this treatment is usually prescribed late in the disease, after kidney function has already become greatly diminished. Through the medical research of the Tanners, it was proved unequivocally that in the PKD model, alkalinity alone greatly delayed the growth of cystic kidneys. It was alkalinity that extended the lives in the PKD model. It was alkalinity that kept polycystic kidneys from enlarging. It was alkalinity that allowed the PKD model to live twice as long as their PKD counterparts The alkalized PKD models even lived longer than healthy models without PKD.

These were the investigations with potassium citrate. Potassium helped and citrate helped but painstakingly precise experiments showed alkalinity to be key to polycystic organ health. Hearing about the Tanner research was an epiphany instant for several listeners. Timing was at the precise moment when we were trying out alkalinity. This research gave scientific backing to what some PKD'rs had just begun to experience, alkalinity was increasing their generalized health and sense of well-being. 2010 clinical trial found that alkalinity improves kidney functioning. 2010 Clinical Trial found that acid retention lead to progressive kidney functioning decline; this is corrected by an alkaline diet. 2010 alkaline diet reduces urinary oxalate excretion, prominent in PKD. 2010 Swiss clinical trial shows low dose potassium citrate improves bone density. Alkaline Clinical Trials [115KB PDF]

 

For Your Reference: ENJOY & AVOID

Enjoy [1.3 MB PDF]
Enjoy these also [29 KB PDF]
Enjoy Herbs [291 KB PDF]
Avoid [1.1 MB PDF]
Avoid herbs [497 KB PDF]
Avoid Chemicals [802 KB PDF]
Menus [95 KB PDF]

For Your Reference: PROTEINS & PRODUCE

Protein: Better protein choices [519 KB PDF]
Protein: Calculate neutral protein [17 KB PDF]
Protein: chart [web page]
Fish guide [111 KB PDF]
Xenoestrogens [679 KB PDF]
Magnesium content of some foods [229 KB PDF]
EWG apps for smartphones
Dirty dozen foods [373 KB PDF]

For Your Reference: POTASSIUM CITRATE & ALKALINITY TRIALS

Alkaline Clinical Trials [168 KB PDF]
1998 Potassium Citrate improves PKD [397 KB PDF]
2000 Potassium helps, citrate helps but alkalinity is key PKD [492 KB PDF]
2010 Alkalinity improves GFR [web page]
2010 Clinical Trial Potassium Citrate Improves Bone Strength [66 KB PDF]
2010 Completed Potassium Citrate Trial in Renal Transplant [web page]
2010 Basic Approach CKD [web page]
2010 Clinical Trial Acid Retention Ameliorated by Alkaline Diet [web page]
2010 Alkaline Diet reduces Oxalate, Prominent in PKD [web page]
2008 Lemon juice an alternative potassium citrate [web page]
Vegetarian Trial [930 KB PDF]
High-Low Potassium Symptoms [197 KB PDF]

For Your Reference: WATER

Water in the PKD Model [963 KB PDF]
Water Treatment PKD [319 KB PDF]
Water Prescription 2011 PKD [web page]
It's Water, Stupid [57 KB PDF]
Vasopressin Regulates Cyst Growth [659 KB PDF]
Water ADPKD, Probably Yes [45 KB PDF]
Cities with Best Water [82 KB PDF]
bottled water for PKD polycystic kidney disease

Watch a Bottled Water Movie [35.3 MB .m4v download]



PKD Polycystic Kidney Disease wholefood

PKD Polycystic Kidney Disease water
We are  sharing our experiences with PLD Diet, an adjunct diet to consider  trying to complement a physician's prescribed medical therapy. Think  about testing this only with your doctor's prior knowledge, who can  adjust it, according to your own uniqueness by adding to your current  treatment.

Medical Disclaimer