History of Dietary Protein Treatment for Non-dialyzed Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Dietary protein restriction has been recommended for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) since at least the latter half of the nineteenth century. Interestingly, and continuing to the present day, there have been two different views advanced regarding the benefits of protein restriction for CKD patients: (1) protection of the health and function of the diseased kidney and (2) preservation or improvement of the overall health of the patient. For over 100 years, the views of workers in this field have often fluctuated widely between these two potential benefits of low-protein diets (LPDs). This chapter reviews the history of dietary protein recommendations in non-dialyzed patients with CKD from the late 1800s through the present day. In addition, evidence-based guidelines and consensus statements published within the last 20 years that address recommendations for dietary protein intake (DPI) in CKD patients will be presented. Moreover, a brief discussion about high-protein diets and kidney disease is addressed.