<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I retrieved this material from the archives of the LOWCARB ListServ group:

... FROM A MEMBER ...

> As to diabetics, high protein, and kidney damage I just was reading some
> material about Richard Bernstein (an M.D./diabetic who specializes in
> diabetes) and I'll try to type the site:
> http://www.allabouthealth.com/Catalog/Books/0-316-09344-0.htm
> The material excerpted from his book covers this exact information.
> Mary J.

... FROM DR. BERNSTEIN's BOOK ...

"If you are a long-standing diabetic and are frustrated with the care you've
received over the years, you have probably been conditioned to think that
protein is more of a poison than sugar and is the cause of kidney disease. I
was conditioned the same way -- many years ago, as I mentioned, I had
laboratory evidence of advanced proteinuria, signifying potentially fatal
kidney disease -- but in this case, the conventional wisdom is just a myth.

"Nondiabetics who eat a lot of protein don't get diabetic kidney disease.
Diabetics with normalized blood sugars don't get diabetic kidney disease.
High levels of dietary protein do not cause kidney disease in diabetics or
anyone else.  There is no higher incidence of kidney disease in the
cattle-growing states of the United States, where many people eat steak every
day, than there is in the states where beef is more expensive and consumed to
a much lesser degree.  Similarly, the incidence of kidney disease in
vegetarians is the same as the incidence of kidney disease in nonvegetarians.
It is the high blood sugar levels that are unique to diabetes, and to a much
lesser degree the high levels of insulin required to cover them (causing
hypertension), that cause the complications associated with diabetes."

... FROM OUR FEARLESS LEADER GRANT MAGNUSON ...

ONTHEGOH(Harriet) comments about Dr Bernstein's book and the restrictive
amount of protein as compared to Dr. Atkins:

In response:
	Be very careful of confusing the issues and the dietary
recommendations of each author.  We must distinguish between those who are
using elevated levels of dietary protein for purposes such as weight loss but
DO NOT have Diabetes and DO NOT have kidney problems.

	If you DO have Diabetes then Dr.  Bernstein is by far the better
choice.  Dr.  Bernstein deals with applying the lowcarb dietary approach to
DIABETES specifically and gives specific recommendations for many diabetic
complications.

	Dr.  Atkins, on the other hand, is addressing a wider audience which
includes generalities about those who have Diabetes and little or nothing
about those with known diabetic complications.  But no doubt, if you were to
go to his clinic, you would be treated specifically for your condition.

	Neither author deals with those with late stage renal failure for
which YOU MUST retain the services of a Kidney Specialist who will assist in
the design of a suitable meal plan whereby you count both the grams of
carbohydrates and the grams of protein consumed (along with many other
specific nutrients).

        Such diets are "special" and ONLY apply to those with KNOWN Kidney
problems.

        DIABETIC KIDNEY COMPROMISE is best treated with such an approach i.e.
restricted amount of dietary protein, to prolong life.  This what the URL I
posted is claiming which is not likely to be disputed by Atkins, Bernstein or
any other medical professional because of the preponderance of evidence of the
benefits of limiting protein intake when the kidneys are NOT NORMAL and can no
longer process protein in a manner accomplished by a NORMAL person.

	In NO WAY does it follow nor suggest that dietary protein is linked
with causing kidney problems -- it merely states that when there ARE KNOWN
kidney problems that control of dietary protein then becomes significant in
prolonging the duration of time before complete renal failure, dialysis and
eventual death.

Grant >>

Susie