Overcoming Kidney Disease: An Evidence-Based Approach to Diet

Lee Hull

Credit: LinkedIn

In an interview with The Educated Patient, author Lee Hull discusses his new book, The Evidence-Based Guide to Kidney and Renal Diets, a groundbreaking resource offering comprehensive, evidence-based dietary guidance for managing kidney disease. As the latest installment in Kidneyhood.org’s bestselling series, the guide provides clarity in an often-confusing area of patient care.

Backed by over 100 studies and insights from more than 1 million patients, the book evaluates various kidney-friendly diets and strategies, empowering patients and caregivers with actionable, clinically validated advice to slow kidney disease progression and improve quality of life.

You were diagnosed with kidney disease in 1998. How did your personal experience shape the motivation behind writing this book?

Lee Hull: Like all patients diagnosed with an incurable disease, I felt helpless. Going from doctor to doctor with no hope or treatment options is a painful experience. Options did exist, but the data were hard to find and normally from other countries. I felt strongly that we needed a reliable source of current information for patients and clinicians — information that had been validated, verified or vetted in some way.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in managing your own kidney disease that you wanted to address in this guide?

LH: Kidneyhood.org has published six books, each with a different focus. Our most recent book, The Evidence-Based Guide to Kidney and Renal Diets, was written based on data obtained in our pilot study. A large number of patients were not qualified for the study because they were combining diets or programs from different sources. We needed to fully address what type of diets have been clinically proven to change outcomes and what has not. Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do.

Your book highlights that dietary choices can reduce kidney disease progression by up to 50%. What are the most important dietary changes that patients should consider?

LH: The most important educational concept is taking the time to get healthier overall, not just obvious kidney issues. Chapter 9 from the book goes over the concepts for kidney disease progression rates and your overall health.

For someone newly diagnosed with kidney disease, what would you say is the first step they should take in changing their diet?

LH: The first step is always education, education, education — but that education needs to come from reliable sources such as Kidneyhood.org, the National Kidney Foundation and the International Society of Nephrology.

What advice do you have for patients who are struggling to stay motivated with dietary changes over the long haul?

LH: Understand that in many cases current diets or dietary habits are contributing to kidney disease progression. Patients can validate or invalidate any approach in about 90 days. If you get good results after the first 90 days, then it is much easier to stay on any diet. If you get poor results, then it’s time to try something new for another 90-day test.

Your book discusses several diet types, from low-protein to vegan and plant-based diets. How can a patient determine which dietary approach is right for them?

LH: The only approach that is universally recommended is a very low-protein diet supplemented with keto acid analogs (Albutrix) to supplement protein nutrition. The Kidneyhood.org program is a form of very low-protein diets and also supplemented with keto acid analogs. There is a chapter on keto acid analogs, as this is a new term and subject for most patients.

What resources or tools does Kidneyhood.org offer to help patients stay on track with their kidney care?

LH: The primary tool for all patients is frequent blood tests (quarterly) to validate or invalidate progress or improvements. We offer free phone appointments to discuss any problems or questions while patients are on the program.

If a patient could take away just one lesson from your book, what would you want it to be?

LH: How we manage our overall health directly affects the rate of kidney disease progression. We have the power to slow or speed up kidney disease based on our dietary intake and how we manage our overall health. Your kidneys are connected to every part of your body in some way.

For more information, visit Kidneyhood.org, and to purchase the book, click here.