• Question: What happens to kidneys when they take in too much pure protein?

    Asked by theseltine2 to Keith on 17 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Keith Siew

      Keith Siew answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      Hi theseltine2,

      Well there is alot of mixed messages out there about high protein diets maybe long term having a negative effect on the kidney because it causes the kidneys to work harder to get rid of the metabolic waste products (urea) resulting from such a diet.

      But in HEALTHY persons there is no evidence that there are any real negative effects or that it predisposes you to chronic kidney disease. In western society we have been on essentially quite high protein diets for centuries, and pro-athletes are put on these intense diets and exercise routines without any reported increase in cases of kidney damage.

      However, if you already had a kidney disease or some related condition, long term excessive high protein intake could further progress these disease and stress/strain the kidneys.

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