Protein restriction affects fat intake and serum lipids in children with chronic renal failure

Cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic renal failure have been associated with the hyperlipidemia present in many of these patients. Since a protein-restricted diet is often prescribed in an attempt to preserve renal function, we performed a randomized controlled study in children with chronic renal failure on the effect of a protein-restricted diet on fat intake and serum lipid profiles. Although total fat intake did not change, we found a lower cholesterol intake and a higher polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio in the patients with the protein-restricted diet. This is probably caused by the restriction of animal protein which results in the replacement of animal fat by vegetable fat in the protein-restricted group. Moreover, we observed an increase of plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with a normal protein intake which was absent in the protein-restricted group. This suggests a favourable effect of the institution of a protein-restricted diet on lipid intake and plasma profile.