Protein is necessary but should not be abused
Protein-rich diets are increasingly popular in the exercise and weight control community. Protein is found in meat, fish, eggs, milk, beans, nuts and supplements such as whey protein. This is an essential nutrient that helps build muscle, repair tissues, produce enzymes and support immunity.
According to Dr. Aakash Shah, Vice President of Engineering at Neuberg Diagnostics, the problem is not in the protein itself but in excessive and prolonged consumption, especially from purine-rich animal sources. When metabolized, purines produce uric acid. Healthy kidneys can effectively excrete uric acid, but if you consume too much for a long time or there is a risk factor, uric acid can accumulate silently.
The general recommendation is about 0.8 grams of protein per kg of weight per day. Some literature suggests that the maximum safe level can be up to 2 grams per kg of weight, but exceeding this threshold can increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys.
Tests help identify early risks
A study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2000 showed that healthy athletes with high protein consumption did not experience kidney function decline. This shows that normal kidneys are adaptable, but not everyone is the same.
According to Dr. Shah, serum creatinine tests and estimated glomerular filtration levels help assess blood filtration ability. Urine tests can detect microbial proteins or uric acid crystals. Periodic monitoring helps distinguish between temporary dietary changes and prolonged damage.
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome or family history of kidney disease need to be especially careful. Experts recommend building a balanced diet, drinking enough water and having regular health check-ups instead of following nutritional trends.
