Is high protein intake responsible for chronic kidney disease? Have you ever heard that ketogenic diets are harmful to your kidneys?

These are just a few of the common kidney health myths debunked in this interview with Dr. Thomas Weimbs, who says that traditional views on what causes chronic kidney disease are “definitely not founded in science.”

Dr. Thomas Weimbs, professor and vice chair at UC Santa Barbara, has spent decades studying chronic kidney disease (CKD). His recent research explores the impact of ketogenic interventions on kidney function, and the findings may surprise you. Rather than harming the kidneys, Dr. Weimbs is finding that keto can actually improve kidney function in people living with CKD.

According to Dr. Weimbs, “Clearly, the number one cause of chronic kidney disease is not protein in excess—it’s, of course, carbohydrates in excess and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is causing chronic kidney disease.”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why longstanding myths about protein and kidney function need to be re-examined
Why misconceptions around keto and kidney health exist
How ketogenic diets are showing promise for chronic kidney disease (including PKD)
About results from randomized controlled trials and the 2-year Virta Health study
How ketones may directly benefit kidney health

Dr. Weimbs also shares insights from his lab’s ongoing research—findings that challenge conventional thinking and call for a re-examination of how we understand and treat chronic kidney disease.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Thomas Weimbs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/256099897773551/
https://santabarbaranutrients.com/

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

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