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MR Reduces the Effects of Kidney Injury


Did you know that kidney disease is one of the major causes of early mortality, morbidity, and rising medical costs in the United States? Now, more than ever, it is crucial to find a way to delay or avoid this devastating disease. OFAS and other researchers have proven that methionine restriction extends the lifespan of several species, and although studies have been conducted on various rodent organs, the effects of MR on kidneys are not well known. A study conducted by the Orentreich Foundation’s Associate Science Director, Dr. Gene Ables, has shown that MR reduced the effects of kidney injury by suppressing inflammation and fibrosis mechanisms. This, in turn, delays the progression of kidney disease.

When protein is ingested, protein waste products are created. Healthy kidneys have millions of nephrons that filter this waste, which then leaves the body in urine. Unhealthy kidneys lose the ability to remove protein waste, and it starts to build up in the blood. One way to prevent this is by putting patients with chronic kidney disease on low-protein diets. Methionine restrictive diets offer the alternative of simulating a low-protein diet without actually reducing overall protein intake, which is done through the increased consumption of plant-based foods instead of animal-based foods. It is recommended that future studies that investigate the effects of MR on kidney function should be done with older mice in order to include the effects of age and provide more insight.

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