high protein and kidney question?

[mxim]

can high amounts of protein,ie. 1 gram per pound of bodyweight have a negative effect on your kidney? also,i see bodybuilders drink lots of water and they say this keeps their kidney healthy;is this true and can this offset any negative side effects from too much protein?
thank you

[Beefy]

I think you're safe at ~1 gram/pound. I've heard that drinking a lot of water (1-2 gallons a day) keeps your kidneys flushed. Apparently, when your body metabolizes protein, it creates a by product that must me broken down by your kidneys. When the kidneys are under more stress when you consume very high amounts of protein. Also, the kidneys break down these protein by products and it creates ammonia, which is toxic. Drinking lots of water keeps the kidneys flushed of the ammonia and helps clear out the toxic by products, I think. Hope that helped you out, bro.

[bg65]

there is no clinically proven evidence that shows that a high protein diet is damaging to healthy kidneys...when someone's kidneys are failing, they are put on a low protein diet to ease the strain off of the ailing kidneys, however there is no evidence that a high protein (within reason) diet is bad for healthy kidneys...I have actually spoken with a nephrologist about this, but he said he wasn't sure what the affect of 4-500gm/day protein would be...

sorry if this doesn't make sense- I am...

[buck]

I read a release a few years ago put out by the American Kidney Foundation that said hihg pro diets would not harm any one with healthy kidneys.

[freedomfighter]

As has been said there is no proof a high protein diet will adversely affect the kidneys. Sugar and salt on the other hand will. Spending too much time in a hot tub can shut down the kidneys. Cranberry juice helps the kidneys a little and the bladder a lot. Drink lots of water.
1.5-2grams of protein per lb is whats needed for muscle mass gain. 1 gram is a maintainence level.