Updated: October 4, 2020 5:30:49 pm
The actor passed away due to kidney failure caused by the ketogenic diet. (Photo: Misti Mukherjee / Facebook)
While dieting is a common practice these days, death due to a certain type of diet was unheard of. Until it became known that the death of actress Misti Mukherjee was due to kidney failure caused by the ‘ketogenic diet’, which has gained much popularity in the recent past.
A statement made by her family claims that the actress, who is survived by her parents and brother, “was in a lot of pain.”
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Mukherjee’s passing raises a number of questions about the health risks of dieting. As such, it is important to understand the reasons that may have led to his deteriorating health and subsequent death.
The ketogenic or ketogenic diet has become very common for weight loss or to control diseases like type 2 diabetes. (Photo from iStock / Getty Images)
What is the ketogenic diet?
It involves consuming large amounts of fat with adequate amounts of protein and fewer carbohydrates. Also known as KD, this diet is particularly followed by diabetics because it can cause massive drops in blood sugar and insulin.
Nutritionist Ruchi Sharma, however, points out the The keto diet “is used primarily to help reduce seizures in children with epilepsy.” “Avoiding carbohydrates and replacing them with protein and fat has become a mainstream dogma among those seeking to lose weight quickly,” she says.
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How does a ketogenic diet lead to kidney failure?
Dr. Pradip Shah, Consultant Physician at Fortis Hospital, Says Mulund indianexpress.com: “This is a rare case and usually occurs when there is a pre-existing disease and then someone continues with the diet. The ketogenic diet requires one to eat large amounts of fat along with protein and fewer carbohydrates. When a person continues to do this, it affects the kidneys. “
Also, Sharma says: “We see people doing keto with processed cheese and butter, which when done for long periods of time can increase the risk of high cholesterol; also the high protein content can put pressure on the kidneys. When we eat a lot of protein while keto, it can overload the kidney. “
Drastically reducing carbohydrates and overloading the kidneys can cause some trouble in eliminating all the waste products of protein metabolism.
Dr. Shah suggests that a person should follow the diet for only six months. If they continue, they should take a break for at least 1 or 2 months, and then continue with the same.
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Are there other diets that can cause organ failure?
Dr. Shah says that any diet that contains less carbohydrate over a longer period of time can cause failure. “Yet another specific diet is the ‘paleo diet,’ also known as the ‘stone age diet.’ It is a modern fad diet that requires one to reflect the type of diet that was followed during the Paleolithic. “
It also mentions that “consuming sugary drinks such as soda or soft drinks and highly processed foods frequently can damage the kidneys.” Not only that, preservatives in food contain phosphorus and sodium, which affect the kidney to a greater extent, he warns.
While many different diseases, toxins, and medications can lead to kidney failure, the most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, which can damage the delicate blood vessels and tissues of the kidneys. “When these two are not addressed, chronic kidney disease, and ultimately kidney failure, can be the result,” says Sharma.
It suggests that instead of following a ketogenic diet, we can go for a well-formulated low-carb diet, which is not usually high in protein and can help reduce and maintain weight loss.
“Choose foods that are healthy for your heart and your whole body, such as fresh fruits, a rainbow of vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Make physical activity a part of your routine, as sweating also helps eliminate toxins, “says the nutritionist.
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