Nutrition and kidney function: prospective studies in healthy participants and cardiovascular patients

Samenvatting

People with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes experience faster kidney function decline. This puts them at higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD); a serious condition from which many people suffer worldwide. Diet is key in both CVD and CKD development. Certain diets, like the Mediterranean diet, may help prevent CKD in generally healthy individuals. In CVD patients, research on diet and CKD is scanty. This thesis offers insights into the role of diet in CKD prevention. For instance, a study in CVD patients of the Alpha Omega Cohort emphasizes the importance of reducing red meat intake to delay kidney function decline. Two population-based cohorts suggest that promoting coffee consumption to diabetics could help them to lower CKD risk. Blood biomarkers can be useful for identifying patients at increased risk of CKD. This thesis suggests that low linoleic acid and high uric acid in the blood of CVD patients may predict CKD.