Is relatively high protein only a problem if your kidneys don't function well?

lorib642

There is a recent post about how you learned about nutrition, but I swear everything has been turned on its head. It reminds me of the movie "Sleeper" when in the future all the "unhealthy" treats are found to be good for you. I remember there were warnings about high protein diets (I don't know how high or the macro %) that they could cause kidney damage and death. Now I am told to eat proteins to retain muscle and for satiety . Is the danger only for certain people or amounts? I have some health issues but not with kidneys/liver and I don't eat very high protein, so I am not really concerned just more curious.

Showcase_Brodown

High protein isn't really a concern as long as you don't have pre-existing kidney issues.

1 gram per lb of body weight (or lean body mass) is a common recommendation. I would think much more than that wouldn't give you any added benefit, but I don't think it would hurt you.

But if there is any doubt about your health, since you mention you have some health issues, I think checking with your doctor is a good idea.

lorib642

Thank you. I see my doc Monday so I will ask just to be sure

WalkingAlong

There is a 2014 study that found that in people aged 50-65, diets high in animal protein were linked with a much higher rate of cancer. It didn't show causation and didn't find the same link with plant protein, and found that high protein over 65 seemed to be beneficial. You can google it.

I don't usually listen to the 'health news' much but this one kind of caught my attention because I was reading the 5:2 diet book, which was written by a health journalist with an MD degree (so hardly any great authority), and he said he gave up his daily lattes to keep his protein intake down, due to this study or possibly others that found it was linked to cancer.

ksolksol

lorib642 wrote: »

There is a recent post about how you learned about nutrition, but I swear everything has been turned on its head. It reminds me of the movie "Sleeper" when in the future all the "unhealthy" treats are found to be good for you.

I am in the same boat -- told my whole life that I should do nut/legume proteins, use meat only as a seasoning agent, a lot of grains.

I read Dr. Yoni Freedhoff's book "The Diet Fix" and decided to try the higher-protein route, based on his recommendations, and haven't found a way to do it within my caloric limits without increasing meat, cutting back grains. I'm struggling to keep enough fruits/veggies in my diet. I'm not even talking doing some of the really high protein recommendations I've seen on the boards.

If I think of my calories as a budget, I can't "buy" enough protein with a primarily plant-based diet unless I rely a lot on protein powders.

I am torn. I don't know what the right way is. I know a lot of people seem to thrive on vegan, some on paleo, some on low-protein, some on high-protein. I do seem to stay more sated with the protein, and I have no lipid issues to contraindicate it, so I'm trying it for now.

Chieflrg

I personally wouldn't put too much thought in it. I can't remember off hand, but there was a recent study that stated that there was inconclusive evidence on any damage on people with kidney/liver pre-existing problems and in fact it actually helped a small percentage.

I eat high amounts of protein & always have. I have my liver checked ever 3 months or so and I have never shown any signs of stress or damage even when it was visually checked during operations.

One thing is for certain, people will dog pile on the latest & greatest medical fact and not let go of it. Doesn't make it right or wrong, though the medical field always seems to reinvent was is good/bad and contradict itself.