Can Too Much Protein Hurt Your Kidneys?

Q: What About Kidney Stones?

This is a separate concern. Animal protein (not plant protein) is associated with increased calcium excretion in urine, which raises kidney stone risk in people prone to calcium oxalate stones. If you have had a stone episode, talk to a urologist about your protein source and overall hydration. The fix is usually more water, more citrus (citrate helps), and possibly more plant protein, not necessarily less total protein.

Q: How Much Is Actually "Too Much"?

For healthy adults the practical upper limit is not set by kidney safety but by: A reasonable maximum for nearly everyone is around 1.2g per lb of body weight per day, which is well within the safety range. Most lifters thrive on 0.8-1.0g per lb. See our how much protein per day guide for full targets by goal.

Question

Can Too Much Protein Hurt Your Kidneys?

ProteinPrice Editorial · Accepted Answer

In healthy adults, high protein intake does not cause kidney damage. Multiple controlled trials and a 2018 meta-analysis (Devries et al.) found no decline in kidney function at intakes up to 2.2g per pound of body weight per day. People with pre-existing chronic kidney disease are a different case and should consult their doctor before a high-protein diet. The kidney-damage myth comes from a misapplied 1980s observation in already-diseased kidneys.

Can Too Much Protein Hurt Your Kidneys?: ProteinPrice.com