In advanced kidney disease, a carefully planned vegetarian diet can help protect residual kidney function. This perspective comes from RIAMO, as stated by Oksana Mikhaleva, a physician specializing in endocrinology and nutrition at SM-Clinic and a candidate of medical sciences.
For individuals with significant kidney impairment, clinicians may tailor a vegetarian eating pattern on an individual basis. When appropriately managed, such a diet can reduce the kidneys’ workload by limiting the intake of protein breakdown products, potentially helping to prolong life and stabilize health during the progression toward dialysis.
However, this approach is relevant to only a small subset of patients who are already in the pre-dialysis stage and under close medical supervision, the doctor noted.
In contrast, for otherwise healthy people or those without serious kidney damage, adopting a vegetarian diet does not automatically yield major health benefits. Some vegetarians report improvements in digestion, which can be attributed to changes in how the digestive system processes plant-based proteins, often perceived as lighter on the stomach compared with dense animal proteins.
Earlier guidance suggested a daily intake of dairy products, with three servings recommended for most individuals. One serving of a liquid dairy product equals about 200 milliliters, while a standard spoonful corresponds to roughly 125–150 milliliters, depending on the product’s consistency.
In addition, a professional cautioned against the continuous use of Omega‑3 supplements, particularly for people with existing liver or kidney conditions. Balanced supplementation should be discussed with a healthcare professional to avoid potential interactions or unintended effects.