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Posted on Tuesday September 16, 2025 in Metabolic Health
An article written by Dr Edward Leatham, Consultant Cardiologist
Tags: VAT, GLP-1, Inflammation, Diet, CKD, search website using Tags to find related stories.
For many people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or excess weight around the middle, a low-carbohydrate diet can be a powerful tool. It improves blood sugar, reduces insulin resistance, lowers blood pressure, and helps with weight loss.
But what if you’ve also been told you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), stage 3b?
At SCVC, we’re often asked:
“Can I still do low-carb safely with reduced kidney function?”
“Will it damage my kidneys if I increase protein?”
“Is this even an option for me?”
The short answer: Yes—with a few important modifications.
We’ve created a new one-page patient guide to help you follow a renal-safe version of the low-carb diet, designed specifically for people with stage 3b CKD (when your eGFR is between 30 and 44).
👇 Download the SCVC Renal-Safe Low-Carb Diet Guide (PDF)
Low-carb eating reduces the amount of sugar (glucose) entering your bloodstream. It can:
All of these are great for kidney health too—when done right.
Yes and no.
While very high protein diets can strain the kidneys and accelerate decline in CKD, moderate protein intake—around 0.8 grams per kg of ideal body weight per day—is safe and recommended by international guidelines¹.
That’s the key difference in our renal-safe approach:
Here’s a taste of what’s inside the guide:
✔ Best Protein Sources:
✔ Best Carbs:
✔ Best Fats:
The guide also includes a lab monitoring checklist and reminder to work closely with your renal and diabetes team.
If you’re switching to a lower-carb way of eating, especially with CKD, we recommend checking the following every 3–4 months:
These help you and your clinician keep your kidneys and heart on track.
You don’t have to choose between kidney health and metabolic control. With the right dietary tweaks and support, a renal-safe low-carb diet can offer the best of both worlds—helping you improve your blood sugar, weight, and blood pressure without accelerating kidney decline.
🧾 Click here to download the SCVC Renal-Safe Low-Carb Diet Guide (PDF)
If you have stage 3 CKD and are thinking about a diet change, speak with your SCVC renal consultant or dietitian to tailor your plan safely.
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