The purpose of the master's thesis was to investigate how following the guidelines of the Mediterranean diet affects the intake of dietary fibers and serum levels of uremic toxins in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Studies indicate that these patients are often energy and protein deficient and consume insufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables. An interventional study was conducted at the Peritoneal Dialysis Center of the Clinical Department of Nephrology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The research lasted for 4 weeks and included 21 patients who were divided into two groups: intervention and control. The intervention group received instructions on following the Mediterranean diet guidelines and examples of recipes adapted for patients on peritoneal dialysis. The control group did not change their diet. Before the study and after 4 weeks of intervention, a 3-day food diary was conducted for the intervention group, while the control group used the previous day's menu method. Measurements of body composition, physical performance, and biochemical blood analysis were also performed. Changes in diet and adherence to the Mediterranean diet guidelines were assessed using the Medas questionnaire. It was found that the patients adhered well to the Mediterranean diet guidelines, as the average number of points on the Medas questionnaire significantly increased (p = 0.007). Furthermore, our findings indicated that patients had on average a low daily energy intake, consumed insufficient protein and dietary fiber. Although the intake of these two nutrients increased after the intervention, it remained on average low. However, despite the increase in dietary fiber intake, the difference was not statistically significant (Z = -0.889; p = 0.374). Serum uremic toxin levels did not differ significantly after the intervention (p > 0.05), but there was a slight decrease in the values of inflammatory parameters CRP and IL-6.
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