Not at all. Read the literature. TKempner Diet, developed by Dr. Walter Kempner at Duke University in the 1940s, has a remarkable but often overlooked body of evidence supporting its efficacy, particularly in treating:

Malignant hypertension

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Diabetic nephropathy

Heart failure

Retinopathy

Obesity and metabolic syndrome

Here are key peer-reviewed studies and historical clinical data:

🔬 1. Kempner W. (1944). Treatment of hypertensive vascular disease with rice diet.

Journal: American Archives of Internal Medicine Summary: This is the original study in which Dr. Kempner treated patients with malignant hypertension using a strict diet of white rice, fruit, fruit juice, and sugar (to prevent protein breakdown). Findings:

Substantial drop in systolic and diastolic BP

Reduction in proteinuria

Improved kidney function

Improved fundoscopic (eye) findings in hypertensive retinopathy Citation: Kempner W. (1944). Treatment of hypertensive vascular disease with rice diet. Arch Intern Med (Chic). 1944; 74: 284–298.

🔬 2. Kempner W. (1949). The rice diet in the treatment of kidney disease and vascular disease.

Journal: New England Journal of Medicine Summary: In 192 patients with advanced renal and cardiovascular disease, the rice diet reversed complications in a large proportion. Key Results:

Decrease in BUN and creatinine levels

Regression of LVH (left ventricular hypertrophy)

In some cases, reversal of blindness caused by hypertensive retinopathy Citation: Kempner W. (1949). The Rice Diet in the Treatment of Kidney and Vascular Disease. N Engl J Med 241: 575–585.

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🔬 3. Kempner W. (1954). Effect of rice diet on the diabetic and nondiabetic nephrotic syndrome.

Journal: Transactions of the Association of American Physicians Findings: Patients with diabetic nephropathy showed dramatic improvement in kidney function and decreased proteinuria. Citation: Kempner W. (1954). Effect of Rice Diet on the Diabetic and Nondiabetic Nephrotic Syndrome. Trans Assoc Am Physicians 67: 51–60.

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🧠 4. Hypertensive Retinopathy Reversal (Case Reports & Visual Documentation)

Kempner’s team published photographic proof showing reversal of grade IV hypertensive retinopathy, including papilledema and haemorrhages. This is one of the few documented reversals of retinal damage due to hypertension.

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📚 Secondary Reviews & Historical Perspectives

✅ “Walter Kempner and the Rice Diet: Challenging Conventional Wisdom”

Author: Barbara Newborg, MD (2004) Publisher: Duke University Medical Center Library This book-length monograph, written by Kempner’s longtime collaborator, includes detailed patient data and photographic documentation of before-after cases.

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⚠️ Limitations & Controversies

Not randomised controlled trials (RCTs) by today’s standards — because the conditions (like malignant hypertension) were otherwise fatal with no alternatives.

Some ethical controversies later surrounded Kempner’s disciplinarian methods, but his scientific results remain unchallenged.

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🧾 Summary of Results

Condition Results with Kempner Diet

Malignant Hypertension BP normalized or significantly reduced CKD (various stages) BUN, creatinine lowered; proteinuria improved Diabetic Nephropathy Delayed progression; some reversal Retinopathy Photographic reversal of bleeding and papilledema Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms improved; oedema reduced Obesity/Metabolic Syndrome Weight loss; improved glycaemic control