Alkaline Diet and Metabolic Acidosis: Practical Approaches to the Nutritional Management of Chronic Kidney Disease

A contemporary Western diet may contribute to metabolic acidosis due to a high nonvolatile acid load from excessive animal products and a deficiency in fruits and vegetables.

• Kidneys help maintain acid-base balance by excreting nonvolatile acids and reabsorbing bicarbonate.
• Loss of kidney function can lead to impaired acid excretion, resulting in low-grade metabolic acidosis.
• Foods like meat, eggs, cheese, and grains are associated with increased acid production, while fruits and vegetables are linked to alkalinity.
• A modern diet high in animal products and low in plant-based foods may exacerbate metabolic acidosis in chronic kidney disease.
• Lowering dietary acid load through reduced protein intake and increasing fruits and vegetables may improve metabolic parameters and slow kidney function decline.

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