High Protein Diets May Harm Kidneys

When talking about different ways to naturally lose weight, at some point or another, the words “low carb”, “high protein”, or even “Atkins” will likely be mentioned. This is because there is a great deal of scientific evidence that shows that by decreasing the percentage of your calories that are made up of carbohydrates and then replacing those with proteins, you will be able to burn fat much more easily and naturally curb hunger.

High protein diets have been known to cause a number of kidney problems, including kidney stones.

Typically, low-carbohydrate diets will require that between thirty and fifty percent of the total calories consumed in a day will come from protein. Normally, a diet would consist of a much higher number of carbohydrates than of protein, allowing the body to use the easily metabolized carbohydrates for energy.

When some of those carbohydrates are replaced by protein, the body changes its metabolic state. The state into which it changes is called ketosis. Ketosis means that the body burns some of its stored fat in order to obtain energy to run its essential functions. This process also makes you feel less hungry, therefore allowing you to comfortably eat a bit less as you burn a bit more. However, this being said, there can also be some unpleasant side effects that come with dieting in this way without the proper knowledge and guidance.

Primary among those problems, high protein diets may harm your kidneys if not done properly. Processing large quantities of protein taxes the kidneys, leaving them at risk of developing one or several of various kidney problems. Specifically, eating high protein diets can cause a very painful condition called kidney stones. High protein diets have also been associated with the occurrence of osteoporosis. This is because when a high protein diet is followed for a long time, the kidneys excrete more calcium from the body than they usually would.

If you decide to undertake a high-protein diet to lose weight it is important to speak with your doctor before trying to change the balance of your macronutrients. Your doctor will be able to advise you how to do this properly, while taking the right precautions to prevent harm to your kidneys and keep your body healthy throughout the process. It is also very important that you learn how to build a proper lifestyle so that the weight doesn’t come right back after you’re done dieting. The bottom line is that dieting is meant to make your body healthier, not sicker, and some diets may cause more harm than good. Discuss your diet decisions with your doctor to make sure they are healthy and safe for you.

Other Related Posts and Articles You May Find Interesting: “Weight Loss Benefits of Protein“, “Carb Protein Fat Ratio in a Healthy Weight Loss Diet“, “How Protein Curbs Hunger” and “Daily Protein Requirements“.