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Could High Protein Diets Prove Harmful For People With Liver Or Kidney Disease? by Sharon Hopkins

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High protein diets can be dangerous to individuals suffering from renal or liver disorders, as the kidneys fail to function properly, thereby retaining the metabolic wastes of protein. Protein is a vital essential nutrient, seen in the blood, hormones, bones, enzymes and muscles. Excessive protein is not stored. Amino acids, the building block of proteins are seen after breakdown. The nitrogen from these proteins is excreted. The non nitrogenous materials are made use of or made into fat. A high protein diet is recommended for individuals on muscle building. It is not recommended for people with hepatic encephalopathy. Excess protein raises the probability of occurrence of osteoporosis and renal calculi. They also reduce the intake of vegetables and fruits. Identifying the right protein and consuming the same is essential. High protein diets should consider fish, skimmed dairy products, lentils and beans. Animal protein hinders with the mineral absorption, thereby resulting in their excretion. These result in kidney stones risk. Non vegetarian protein foods are avoided in the diets of individuals who are more prone to kidney stones. Big stones, call for a surgery for its removal, as abstinence results in urinary block. A gram of protein intake causes a loss of 1.75 mg of calcium. The quality and quantity of protein taken is essential for consideration. Soy product helps in lowering the LDL cholesterol and increasing the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol. It protects against the arterial plaque formation. Calcium is retained more on consumption of vegetarian foods. As calcium elimination is reduced, osteoporosis risk and renal stones is less. Kidney diseases, in general, are reduced in people consuming vegetarian diet. Osteoporosis or porous bones is an outcome of deficiency of phosphorus, calcium and others. People on non vegetarian foods experience less of osteoporosis and degeneration of bone. High protein and high salt diets reduces the body’s calcium stores. People on high protein diet experience loss of weight, due to water loss. Protein consumption increases the blood uric acid and urea levels, which are poisonous metabolic waste products. Water is sent to the kidneys, for a diuretic effect, to eliminate these by-products. This might result in the leaching of calcium, causing osteoporosis. Vitamin E is vital in bone development and protects the calcium from the effect of free radicals. The major cause of osteoporosis in women is due to the decrease in progesterone and estrogen. Saturated fats play an important role in bone modeling.

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