In older persons who do not have renal disease, increasing protein consumption is not linked to a decline in renal function. However, in persons with renal illness, it can be a problem, and some experts advise decreasing protein consumption in persons who have a good renal function but are at high risk of developing renal disease.
The Review discusses can whey protein damage your kidneys and we will also offer protein-intake recommendations based on your weight and degree of exercise.
What Is Whey Protein?
The by-product of the cheese-making process is whey protein. It comes in powder form and is simple to include in meals or beverages. Protein powder comes in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
Whey protein has a protein content of 10 to 50 grams per meal. In certain cases, the producer includes a measuring cup with the product to aid in scooping out the proper serving size. The scoop size and quantity of protein offered to vary widely from one product to the next, and your nutritionist may assist you in determining which product is best for you and how much you should ingest. Although certain whey protein powders include added phosphorus, whey protein powders are generally lower in phosphorus than soy protein powders.
How To Use Whey Protein Powder In The Kidney Diet?
Measure out one serving to use throughout the day with the scoop supplied. In your morning coffee, try a pinch of vanilla whey protein powder. Mix a teaspoon of whey protein powder with six ounces of orange soda (diet or regular, depending on your renal diet prescription) for a creamy orange-flavored delight with added protein.
Make a root beer float with extra whey protein powder and six ounces of cool root beer for a delightful evening treat. Finish the scoop of whey protein powder by combining it with a half cup of applesauce later in the evening. For a refreshing, delicious, and high-protein evening snack, place the applesauce in the freezer for a few minutes.
What Are The Benefits Of Whey Protein?
Whey protein contains amino acids that are necessary for the formation of healthy muscles and connective tissue and has other numerous benefits. It boosts athletic performance and improves body composition. Whey protein aids in the repair and growth of muscular tissue, particularly after a workout.
Whey protein consumption can help reduce bone loss in the elderly. Whey protein is strongly suggested for persons who have heart problems. It’s especially crucial for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments who are having trouble meeting their nutritional needs due to appetite loss, nausea, or lethargy.
Can Too Much Whey Protein Cause Kidney Stones?
The University of Connecticut did a study called “Dietary Protein Intake and Renal Function,” which found that persons with healthy kidneys who consume a lot of whey protein shouldn’t be concerned.
According to the study, recent research on high-protein diets for weight reduction and athletics has revealed no harmful effects on renal function. According to the study’s findings, no indication increased protein intake causes kidney injury or functioning.
Can Protein Damage Kidneys? Risk Of Kidney Damage And Whey Protein
When large amounts of whey protein are consumed over a long period of time, the risk of renal problems, particularly kidney stones, increases. Whey-rich, high-protein diets can be harmful to one’s health since they can decrease kidney function.
The kidneys responsible for draining wastes are stressed when you eat a high protein diet for weight reduction. Those who follow this diet for a long time are more likely to develop renal issues, kidney stones, and renal failure in the worst-case scenario.
However, there isn’t enough evidence to link long-term whey protein consumption to deterioration in renal function. Regardless, several experts warn that there is a risk and recommend that whey protein be consumed in moderation.
Protein and Lean Body Mass
Protein is a necessary food that aids in the maintenance of customers’ health. It’s also necessary for gaining muscular mass. While some customers may be fast to switch to a high-protein diet, others may do the exact reverse owing to personal preferences or beliefs. Dietary protein, in any case, is made up of amino acids, which are responsible for everything. Protein is required for the human structure, hormones, enzymes, and immunological chemicals, for example.
Because amino acids are required for so many functions, maintaining a continuous pool is like keeping a sink full without a drain stopper. They are continually lost as they are broken down, necessitating the consumption of a diet rich in protein-rich foods. This is especially true for muscle-building and weight-loss objectives.
Protein provides the building elements for muscle and connective tissue, which our clients must understand (like ligaments and tendons). In resistance training, the body is breaking down muscle tissue on purpose to drive it to adapt and create larger or stronger lean body mass. As a result, reaching a daily protein intake that is customized to your health, fitness, and weight reduction objectives is critical.
Protein and Body Weight Reduction
Clients seeking weight loss frequently choose a low-carb, high-protein diet. When people are successful, they often believe that the lack of carbohydrates in their daily calories is the reason for their success. Meeting the proper protein needs, on the other hand, has two advantages. The first is that protein ingestion suppresses the appetite of the customer.
Protein calories take longer to break down than carbohydrate and fat calories. As a result, when clients consume a diet rich in high-quality proteins, they will feel fuller for longer. The term “spontaneous reduction in calorie intake” refers to this type of hunger decrease. All it implies for your customer is that they will feel satisfied for longer, making them less likely to eat and snack at inappropriate times.
Protein is required for the maintenance and increase of lean mass, as previously stated. Because muscle consumes more calories than fat to survive, clients with more muscular tissue have a greater resting metabolic rate. More calories are expended each day when your resting metabolic rate is greater. More calories burnt equals more weight lost, according to basic weight reduction principles. This is the second reason why daily protein consumption is critical for body fat loss.
You probably already know some of this, but you’ll need to be able to persuade your customers and anyone who seeks fitness and nutrition guidance from you. Explain why it’s critical to get enough high-quality protein:
- Protein helps you gain muscular growth.
- Protein is important for post-workout recovery.
- Dietary protein promotes fat loss.
- Protein is necessary for the immune system and connective tissue to function properly.
- Body composition is skewed by a lack of protein.
So, we know that protein is beneficial and required, especially for physically active individuals. Is it possible to have too much of a good thing?
Sure, there’s always the risk of eating too much of anything, but the risk of eating too much protein is far more than most people believe.
Extra Protein Has No Negative Impact On The Kidneys
Consider the kidneys to be your body’s water filter. They help the body get rid of unwanted chemicals, metabolites, and other waste. Yes, they’re important for metabolizing and excreting nitrogen waste from protein digestion. However, this does not imply that consuming more protein will put a client’s kidneys under stress.
One reason for perpetuating this misconception is that studies have revealed that a high-protein diet can make the kidneys work harder, especially in patients who already have chronic renal disease and compromised renal function. According to many studies, increased protein intake does not cause renal disease or reduced renal function in healthy people.
To go into more depth, researchers discovered that consuming extra protein alters the way your kidneys work, resulting in hyperfiltration—which isn’t always a negative thing. Hyperfiltration is a sign that the kidneys are adjusting to a higher protein diet. They’re just doing a better job of metabolizing higher protein intakes.
Consider those who have donated a kidney. The one kidney that was left behind now has to deal with extra protein. We’d see that in donors if increased protein levels harmed healthy kidneys. We, on the other hand, do not. That one kidney just adjusts, and there is no greater risk of renal disease in donors.
Furthermore, bodybuilders and other athletes who consume high-protein diets are not at an increased risk of kidney illness or damage, according to the study. These individuals may consume more than 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day, far more than the average person.
Adding protein to your diet on a daily basis will not weaken your bones. The belief that protein creates weaker bones stems from the fact that protein raises body acidity, which causes calcium to seep from the bones to compensate. Excess acidity can cause bone thinning, but protein is not to blame.
Protein in the diet, on the other hand, has the opposite effect: it strengthens bones. Increased protein in the diet increases insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, calcium absorption, and vitamin D levels. All of these factors work together to strengthen the bones.
Not only that but there’s more. Combining a high-protein diet with weight exercise promotes muscle growth and strength. This is especially crucial as people become older and lose muscle mass organically. Greater bone density is linked to having more muscle.
How Much Protein Do I Need?
How much protein should you prescribe now that you’ve persuaded the skeptics that more is better? Currently, the FDA recommends 50 grams of protein per day for both men and women. This is a fairly broad guideline that isn’t appropriate for people who are really busy.
More protein is required for persons who exercise, such as athletes and trainers, in order to develop muscle and help in recuperation. No studies demonstrate that 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is detrimental, while research in this area is still underway.
2 to 3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is a reasonable general recommendation for moderately to severely active customers. This suggests that for an athlete weighing 175 pounds (80 kilograms), a daily protein intake of 160 to 240 grams is feasible, well beyond the FDA’s recommended.
When assisting a client in determining how much protein to consume, bear in mind that too much protein can be detrimental to anybody who has renal illness or injury. A suggested intake for individuals with renal disease is around 0.6 grams per kilogram. 6
Chronic kidney disease, unfortunately, is characterized as a “silent illness.” Although symptoms are difficult to notice, you can have some easy tests done at your doctor’s office to see whether you have any kidney problems.
If you have kidney impairment, a serum creatinine level test or a urine dipstick test for proteinuria will inform your doctor if you need to limit your protein consumption. Recommend a daily protein intake of roughly 0.6 grams per kilogram for individuals with renal impairment.
Conclusion
Look for the “USP” emblem, which indicates that the whey protein powder satisfies specified purity and quality requirements. Before using whey protein, see your doctor if you have any chronic health issues, are taking any prescription drugs, or have any queries about the proper dosage.