Having a high-protein diet has long been celebrated by all the gym trainers and social media fitness influencers. While protein has its benefits for building muscles and stamina, you must know where to draw the line.
That is why it becomes important to note the words of Kidney experts. Renowned nephrologist, Dr. Amit Nagrik, shares his valuable advice on having the exact amount of protein for proper liver function.
Expert Opinion on High-Protein Diet and Kidney Stones
The singer and podcaster Karn Chugh recently interviewed Dr. Amit Nagrik with the valid question, “Does eating too much protein really damage your kidneys?”. He shared the brief clip on his Instagram to spread awareness among protein-savvy youth.
The renowned nephrologist, Dr. Amit Nagrik, said that it is ideal to intake 1 gram of protein per kilo of your actual body weight. This means a person with 60 kg of body weight should not ideally consume more than 60 grams of protein daily. He emphasises that over-consuming protein can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney stones.
What Are High-Protein Diets Exactly?
Traditionally, red meat, raw eggs, and dairy products fall under the high-protein category. Recently, people are also consuming pumpkin seeds, knowing that only 1 ounce or 28 grams of these seeds contains 7 grams of protein.
Taking a diet rich in animal protein indirectly results in kidney stones by increasing uric acid levels in the body. Apart from calcium and oxalates, uric acid also concentrates in the kidneys and increases the risk of kidney stones.
It further reduces the body’s citrate levels and increases calcium excretion. All of these make a favourable condition for building stones in the kidney.
Expert Tips to Protect Your Kidneys
To support kidney health, experts insist on limiting protein as per your body’s needs. Drinking plenty of water and balancing animal protein with plant protein can be helpful. Reducing sodium intake and completely avoiding alcohol and cigarettes is also advised for better kidney health.
Alcohol leads the body to dehydration and increases blood pressure. Likewise, cigarettes also increase blood pressure by blocking the blood vessels. All of them together put excessive pressure on your kidneys. Therefore, apart from reducing a high-protein diet, one must avoid the alarming factors to eliminate the risks of kidney stones.
