Study on Dairy Consumption and CKD Risk

Researchers have found in a long-term prospective cohort study that greater high-fat dairy, high-fat milk consumption may reduce the risk of CKD. The new study has been published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition.

The association between the consumption of dairy products and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is under debate. The researchers aimed to determine the potential effects of total and subtypes of dairy intake on the occurrence of CKD.

Study Details

This study was conducted within the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) on 2416 CKD-free adults. At baseline, consumption of dairy products was estimated using a validated 168-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CKD were calculated in tertile categories of dairy products. Also, the CKD risk was estimated with multivariable Cox regression to substitute total dairy with other dietary protein sources.

Results

• During 8.4 years of follow-up, the incidence rate of CKD was 21%.
• The participants' mean (±SD) age was 38 (±13) years and 46% were men.
• Dietary intakes of total dairy, low-fat dairy, and fermented dairy were not associated with CKD risk.
• There were significantly lower risks of CKD in the highest compared to the lowest tertiles of high-fat dairy and high-fat milk.
• However, no significant associations were found between other categories of dairy products and CKD incidence.
• Substitutions of total dairy with other dietary protein sources were not associated with CKD risk.

In this study, higher intakes of high-fat dairy and high-fat milk were associated with lower risks of CKD. No significant associations were found between other dairy products and CKD. However, more prospective and clinical trials are needed to clarify the issue.

Reference

Zahra Gaeini, Zahra Bahadoran, Parvin Mirmiran, Zahra Feyzi, Fereidoun Azizi. High-Fat Dairy Products May Decrease the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease Incidence: A Long-Term Prospective Cohort Study. Journal of Renal Nutrition Published: October 18, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2022.10.003