Dietary Intake and Gut Microbiome in CKD

Gut dysbiosis, characterized by an imbalance in the gut microbiota, has emerged as a potential factor influencing CKD progression. This condition plays a crucial role in the gut-kidney axis, where changes in microbial composition can contribute to systemic inflammation and uremic toxin production and ultimately exacerbate kidney damage. Understanding the dynamics of the gut-kidney axis provides new insights into potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate CKD progression. Diet is the primary driver of gut microbiota composition. Therefore, an approach emphasizing healthy nutritional patterns is recommended for improving overall health, cardiovascular disease, and profoundly altered metabolic patterns in patients with CKD. Dietary modifications have been explored as therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome to improve outcomes in CKD. An emerging therapeutic target is the production of dysmetabolites by the gut microbiota, which may help alleviate uremic and cardiovascular toxicity. In addition, future research should broaden the scope to include other microorganisms, such as fungi, archaea, and viruses. This expanded focus will enable a more comprehensive understanding of the gut-kidney axis and pave the way for more personalized and effective treatment strategies for patients with CKD. This review explores the role of lifestyle, particularly diet, in kidney health; highlights new gut microbiome therapies; and identifies research opportunities in CKD.