Diabetic kidney disease is a complication that occurs in some people with diabetes. It can progress to kidney failure if not treated. “With diabetes, it injures the small blood vessels in the body. When the blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, your kidneys cannot clean your blood properly. Your body will retain more water and salt than it should, which can result in weight gain and ankle swelling. You may have protein in your urine. Also, waste materials will build up in your blood. About 30 percent of patients with type 1 (juvenile onset) diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with type 2 (adult onset) diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure.”

Dr. Richard K. Bernstein says that protein does not cause kidney disease; high blood glucose does. And researchers at The Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine believe that a low-carbohydrate diet may reverse kidney failure in people with diabetes.

Studies have linked pre-diabetes to early kidney disease, so it’s important to treat pre-diabetes, ideally with nutrition and exercise, from the very beginning.

References

National Kidney Foundation. “Diabetes – A Major Risk Factor for Kidney Disease.” National Kidney Foundation (© 2015).  https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/diabetes (accessed on 8/2/2020).
DIABETES – A MAJOR RISK FACTOR FOR KIDNEY DISEASE
With diabetes, the small blood vessels in the body are injured. When the blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, your kidneys cannot clean your blood properly. Your body will retain more water and salt than it should, which can result in weight gain and ankle swelling. You may have protein in your urine. Also, waste materials will build up in your blood.
About 30 percent of patients with Type 1 (juvenile onset) diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure.

Bernstein, Dr. Richard K. “Protein Does Not Cause Kidney Disease, High BGL Does (Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Univ.) [15:21],” YouTube (May 26, 2015). https://youtu.be/559rV3L1ixM (accessed on 8/2/2020).

The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine. “Low carbohydrate diet may reverse kidney failure in people with diabetes,” Science Daily (April 21, 2011). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110420184429.htm (accessed on 8/2/2020).

Whiteman, Honor. “Pre-diabetes linked to early kidney damage,” Medical News Today (December 29, 2015). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/304528.php (accessed on 8/2/2020).

Supporting Articles

Diabetic Kidney Disease
Controlling your blood pressure and glucose level helps to minimize complications.
https://patient.info/health/diabetic-kidney-disease-leaflet

Diabetic Kidney Failure May Be Reversed with Low-Carbohydrate Diet
https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2011/diabetic-kidney-failure-may-be-reversed-with-lowcarbohydrate-diet

Diabetic Nephropathy: What You Need to Know
https://blog.thediabetessite.greatergood.com/nephropathy-prevention-treatment/

Does Diabetes Increase My Risk for Developing Kidney Stones?
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/does-diabetes-increase-risk-for-kidney-stones#kidney-stones

How Does Diabetes Cause Kidney Failure?
https://diabetesmealplans.com/10672/how-does-diabetes-cause-kidney-failure/

What you need to know about a low-carb diet and your kidneys
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/kidney-health

Video

Protein Does Not Cause Kidney Disease, High BGL Does (Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Univ.) [15:21]
https://youtu.be/559rV3L1ixM