Can Intermittent Fasting Keep Your Kidneys Healthy? Expert Reveals The Truth
It has been widely believed that intermittent fasting can support kidney wellness. Read on to find out what experts have to say about this diet management plan.
Our kidneys, two bean-shaped powerhouses tucked on either side of the spine, do much more than just filter waste. These vital organs regulate blood pressure, maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, and produce key hormones like erythropoietin and vitamin D, which support everything from red blood cell production to bone health. However, conditions like diabetes and hypertension remain leading culprits behind kidney damage, making it essential to manage them through both medical treatment and lifestyle choices.
While much emphasis is placed on what we eat, when we eat is proving to be just as crucial. Enter intermittent fasting: a practice rooted in ancient traditions and now increasingly recommended by modern health experts. But how does this eating pattern affect kidney health? Let's take a closer look.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a type of diet management plan that cycles between periods of eating and fasting. In this approach, it is measured when you eat rather than what you eat. For instance, many follow the 16/8 method (eating within 8 hours and fasting for the next 16 hours), whereas some may also choose the 5:2 diet method (eating normally for five days and restricting calories for two days) or Time-Restricted Eating (TRE).
Intermittent Fasting And Its Impact On Kidneys
Intermittent fasting, for normal individuals with healthy kidneys, is good for general overall metabolic health, which has been advocated and practised from time immemorial. Beyond weight loss, this diet management plan comes with a host of other benefits. It protects against chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, age-related degenerative diseases, kidney disease, and cancers.
Dr. G.K. Prakash, Consultant – Nephrology, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram and Millers Road says that intermittent fasting improves blood sugar control by increasing insulin sensitivity, reducing weight, and increasing growth factors that boost metabolism in diabetics. It is beneficial for reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, and is good for even brain health, improving memory, gut health, kidney health, and overall longevity of an individual.
Dr Prakash says, 'In a person with kidney ailment, it is important to differentiate between temporary dysfunction (acute kidney injury) and irreversible kidney injury (chronic kidney disease). In the former entity, one has to judiciously choose fasting practices, as it can be harmful in some cases."
For individuals with chronic kidney diseases, intermittent fasting is generally considered beneficial. However, there are various ways of intermittent fasting that have been advocated and practiced and the most common and easily understood method is Time-Restricted Eating.
What Is Time-Restricted Eating?
Time-restricted eating is in sync with the circadian rhythm, thus, it is considered more practical than the other ways. Dr Prakash mentions, 'Under this diet plan, you need to extend the natural fasting time (which is usually the night hours during sleep) in the daytime as well, while reducing the eating window. For example, eating between 6-8 hrs or 10 hrs most and fasting for 16-18 hrs overnight is ideal. You can do so by finishing the evening meal by 6 pm and fasting till the next morning."
He adds, 'Unlike the Western culture of eating small and frequent meals, longer overnight fasts, especially time-restricted eating, can support better weight control and may have added health benefits for chronic kidney disease patients."
What Are The Benefits of Time-Restricted Eating For Chronic Kidney Disease Patients?
Dr Shankar mentions that intermittent fasting reduces overweight and obesity, which are major risk factors for diabetes and hypertension. Since these two conditions account for nearly 65-75% of kidney failure cases, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the incidence of CKD.
Intermittent fasting can also help improve cardiovascular health. It is particularly important for chronic kidney disease patients, as many of them invariably develop cardiovascular disease, which is another major cause of death in this population.
Dr Shankar suggests, 'Monitor kidney function closely when you are practising intermittent fasting. Most importantly, stay hydrated during this fasting routine. In some individuals, it can worsen existing kidney issues, especially in acute kidney situations, and kidney stone disease." He notes that patients who are on diabetic medication should consult their doctors as there can be variations in their metabolic activity, including going into severe hypoglycemia (low sugar levels)."
As with any dietary change, it's essential to personalise your approach to intermittent fasting, especially if you have existing kidney conditions. With the right medical guidance, this time-tested practice could be a powerful tool in protecting your kidney health and improving overall longevity.
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Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 24, 2025, 13:14 IST
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