Okay.
I get this one all the time. It comes from two places. First is a reader. Their question normally goes
“Will eating more protein damage my kidneys?”
I also get this question, in the form of a statement, from other nutritionists/dietitians
“You shouldn’t eat that much protein as it will damage your kidneys.”
Really?
Unfortunately (or fortunately) the “increased protein damages your kidneys” is more myth derived from theory than anything else. Despite this fact it is still a controversial topic – even amoung scientists.
In a recent response to a research article entitle “Are High protein, vegetable-based diets safe for kidney function?” Anssi Manninen made several pointed worth noting.
1. There is no biological evidence to support the theory that long term high protein diets cause renal injury
2. The changes seen in renal function due to increased protein intake are normal adaptations.
3. Increased protein intake reduces blood pressure and aids in weight loss – high blood pressure and obesity are two risk factors for chronic kidney disease.
