{"id":1901,"date":"2024-03-18T05:35:36","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T13:35:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/revitalizemetabolichealth.com\/?p=1901"},"modified":"2024-03-18T05:35:36","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T13:35:36","slug":"mythbusting-dietary-protein-and-kidney-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/revitalizemetabolichealth.com\/mythbusting-dietary-protein-and-kidney-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Mythbusting: Dietary Protein and Kidney Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"
A common myth about dietary protein is that a high intake of protein causes kidney disease. \u00a0The reasoning behind that myth is that, since the kidneys are responsible for filtering and excreting nitrogen, the high nitrogen content of protein could be putting a strain on the kidneys.<\/p>\n
Dr. Louis Newburgh published research<\/a> showing that rabbits developed kidney disease as a result of eating a diet rich in meat protein (beef).\u00a0 However, this research was later criticized as unreliable, because it was noted that rabbits are herbivores.\u00a0 Thus, eating beef is a substantial deviation from a rabbit\u2019s physiology, and these findings could not be translated to our understanding of human physiology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for both men and women is 0.80 grams of good quality protein\/kg body weight\/d.\u201d (ref<\/a>)\u00a0 It\u2019s important to note, however, that the RDA is set a level that is necessary to avoid disease from inadequate intake.\u00a0 Thus, consumption of protein at less than that level is not sufficient to maintain proper health.<\/p>\n \u201cHigh protein intake\u201d is generally considered 1.6 g\/kg\/d.\u00a0 From a survey of food intakes, individuals consuming the highest amount of protein at 1.5 g\/kg\/d protein were noted to have a very low risk of adverse effects.<\/p>\n Though limited research has been conducted on potential risks of high protein intake, there is no evidence that amino acid intake from high protein intake poses any risk. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By far, the top 2 causes of kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension, accounting for more than 2\/3 of chronic kidney disease. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n Arguably, these are part of<\/a> the same disease, Insulin Resistance<\/a>, but are recognized as the 2 most proximate causes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rest assured that there is no evidence to indicate that high protein intake is harmful in individuals with healthy kidneys, reinforced by multiple studies.<\/p>\n In the absence of pre-existing kidney disease, high protein intake has no negative effect on kidney function. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n High protein diets in conjunction with low carbohydrate intake show improvement in kidney function. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n Diets consisting of higher protein improves kidney function in otherwise healthy individuals with prehypertension or hypertension. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n A review of all available data as of 2005 concluded that \u201cwhile protein restriction may be appropriate for treatment of existing kidney disease, we find no significant evidence for a detrimental effect of high protein intakes on kidney function in healthy persons.\u201d (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n A study of men engaged in regular resistance training followed them for 6 months at their usual protein intake (avg 2.51 g\/kg\/d), followed by another 6 months at a higher protein intake (3.32 g\/kg\/d).\u00a0 There were no adverse effects on kidney function or any other systems.\u00a0 Also, of interest in this study, despite the subjects increasing calorie intake by ~400 kcal\/day, there was no increase in fat mass. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n When there is established kidney disease, the answer is not as clear-cut as in individuals with healthy kidneys. \u00a0Evidence is limited in this area by the fact that most studies are observational study designs and thus are not true interventional trails.<\/p>\nWhat is considered high protein?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What actually causes kidney disease?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
High protein in individuals with healthy kidneys<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Protein intake in established chronic kidney disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n