Plant-based ketogenic nutritional intervention in a young woman with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: A case report

Nutr Clin Pract. 2026 Jul 13. doi: 10.1002/ncp.70150. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

We report the case of a 23-year-old woman with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) and preserved kidney function who was followed with a supervised plant-based ketogenic diet for 11 months. The intervention was associated with a marked reduction in albuminuria (from 80 to 10 mg/g) and a stable estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with no clinically relevant metabolic or electrolyte disturbances; whereas total kidney volume increased from 617 to 709 cc during follow-up. This case highlights the feasibility, safety, and possible association with favorable renal biomarker changes, warranting further investigation in controlled studies in early-stage ADPKD.

Keywords: albuminuria; autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; case report, ketogenic diet; kidney function; plant‐based nutrition.