Dietary Patterns, Kidney Function, and Sarcopenia in Chronic Kidney Disease

Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the loss of muscle mass and function. It is a risk factor for adverse clinical outcomes, including falls, disability, and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The progression of CKD leads to metabolic disturbances and pathophysiological changes. These alterations, such as metabolic acidosis, dysregulated muscle proteostasis, and excessive inflammation, contribute to accelerated muscle wasting, resulting in sarcopenia. Proper nutritional interventions are essential in the management of sarcopenia in patients with CKD. Appropriate dietary intake of protein and specific micronutrients, carefully considering the needs and restrictions of CKD, may help maintain muscle mass and function. Specific dietary patterns, such as an anti-inflammatory diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, and a plant-based diet, may be beneficial for attenuating muscle wasting in CKD patients. The underlying mechanisms of how these dietary patterns affect sarcopenia are multifaceted, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and defects in muscle protein homeostasis. This review summarizes the current evidence on the relationship between dietary patterns and sarcopenia, as well as the underlying mechanisms of how dietary patterns modulate sarcopenia in CKD patients.