People with renal damage know that they have to take care of themselves. A new study from the Univ. of Kentucky has shown that obesity can worsen kidney damage.
The study found multiple ways that excess fat tissue disrupts kidney function and can even cause changes in the brain that worsen renal damage. They also found that kidneys that struggle to function can cause changes in fat tissue.
“Pre-existing kidney disease can contribute to the dysfunction of fat tissue through the accumulation of waste products in the body,” said Dr. Nermin Ahmed one of the lead authors. “These toxins can lead to fat tissue loss and the abnormal storage of fats, potentially worsening kidney function.”
Being obese can impact the body in many ways. Physically, the extra weight can compress the kidneys and disrupt blood flow to the organ causing increased pressure. It can also cause the release of inflammatory hormones from expanded fat tissues that harm the kidney cells and send signals to the brain that can cause the renal system to go into overdrive. That can lead to the progress of chronic kidney disease.
Dr. Carolina Dalmasso, one of the lead authors, suggested, “Investigating therapeutic targets to reduce these signals from adipose tissue may offer a promising strategy for mitigating obesity-related hypertension and chronic kidney disease.”
“Understanding the impact of fat-derived signals will pave the way for innovative therapies that can prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease in individuals with obesity,” said the principal investigator, Dr. Analia Loria.
By understanding why something happens, doctors can work backward to prevent or treat it. This research could lead to preventative treatments to help people with obesity avoid kidney problems or worsening issues.
Our bodies are complex systems where each part interacts with another. Understanding the role obesity has in the outcome of kidney health can help doctors treat patients in the real world. While a simplistic answer would be “lose weight” people’s health situations are rarely that simple. If it were, there wouldn’t be any doctors.
A healthy lifestyle with exercise and a diet of foods that benefit kidney health can be a great place to start, but that alone does not solve the problem. If you are concerned about your kidneys or weight and feel this research might be relevant to you, discuss it with your doctor. Chat about your health and make a plan for your future that makes sense for your goals and lifestyle.
