A Potential Consequence of High-Protein Diets

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A Potential Consequence of High-Protein Diets

Understanding the possible effects of high protein consumption on kidney function in individuals with normal renal function or mild renal deficiency is vital because of the increasing prevalence of high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. Recent American Heart Association guidelines suggest that a long-term, high-protein diet may adversely affect renal function.

To evaluate a possible link between dietary protein intake and renal functional decline over an 11-year period, researchers examined 1,624, 42- to 68-year-old women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study. Protein intake was determined twice over the study period using a food-frequency questionnaire; renal function was evaluated through measurement of creatinine concentration. At baseline, 489 women were considered to have mild renal insufficiency.

Results: In women with mild renal insufficiency at baseline, high protein consumption was associated with a decline in kidney function over time; those who consumed the most protein showed the greatest functional decline. Intake of nondairy animal protein, in particular, was associated with accelerated renal decline in these women. High protein intake was not related to renal function in subjects with normal kidney function at baseline.

In their conclusion, the authors note: "Small differences in protein intake may not have clinically meaningful implications in women with mild renal insufficiency, but sustained high protein intake may have substantial long-term adverse effects on renal function."

Knight EL, Stampfer MJ, et al. The impact of protein intake on renal function decline in women with normal renal function or mild renal insufficiency. Annals of Internal Medicine 2003:138(6), pp. 460-467.
www.annals.org