https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2024.1787

Impressive weight loss induced by a very low-calorie ketogenic diet in a morbidly complex obese patient with a recent episode of acute kidney injury and advanced chronic kidney disease: a case report

Vol. 18 No. 3 (2024)
Submitted: 10 August 2024
Accepted: 29 August 2024
Published: 25 September 2024
Ketogenic diet, chronic kidney disease, obesity, acute kidney injury, case report
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Authors

Vincenzo Trapanese
vincenzo.trapanese@studenti.unicz.it
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3432-804X
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Maria Chiara Pelle
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0463-6650
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Maria Capria
Renal Unit, “Renato Dulbecco” Hospital of Catanzaro, Italy.
Nazareno Carullo
enal Unit, “Renato Dulbecco” Hospital of Catanzaro, Italy.
Clara Vatalaro
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5173-5519
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Francesca Cosentino
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Melania Melina
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Maria Resilde Natale
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4661-3349
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Federica Giofrè
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3167-0512
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Italy.
Franco Arturi
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro; Research Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Diseases (CR METDIS), “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Italy.

The very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD), characterized by a marked energy restriction that induces rapid weight loss, has recently been proposed as a valid nutritional strategy for managing obesity. VLCKD is commonly considered dangerous for the kidneys due to the misconception that it is high in protein, beyond the risk of electrolyte imbalances and an increase in diuresis. We report a case of safe and effective weight loss induced by VLCKD in a 43-year-old Caucasian woman with a recent episode of acute kidney injury on advanced chronic kidney disease. Surprisingly, we observed that after the diet-induced weight loss, not only did renal function not worsen, but proteinuria also improved. The principal value of this case report is its singular demonstration of impressive weight loss induced by VLCKD in a complex obese patient that was apparently not accompanied by the development of serious adverse sequelae.

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How to Cite

Trapanese, V., Pelle, M. C., Capria, M., Carullo, N., Vatalaro, C., Cosentino, F., Melina, M., Natale, M. R., Giofrè, F., & Arturi, F. (2024). Impressive weight loss induced by a very low-calorie ketogenic diet in a morbidly complex obese patient with a recent episode of acute kidney injury and advanced chronic kidney disease: a case report. Italian Journal of Medicine, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2024.1787
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