Kidney Stones,Whey protein & too much protein

Turbo_diesel

Anybody on here ever get Kidney stones from using whey? Is there much of a link between using whey & Kidney stones?

amazingemmet

Kidney stones are caused by an accumulation of calcium in the kidneys and generally runs in families afaik whey protein isn't indicated in causing them.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Turbo_diesel wrote: »

Anybody on here ever get Kidney stones from using whey? Is there much of a link between using whey & Kidney stones?

This was a topic which was knocked out here some time ago, you'll find lots of conflicting information online re. high protein diets and kidney damage.

Personally I haven't had a problem with kidney stones, but I have had some other issues with my kidney function tests and have been advised to watch my protein intake carefull (I don't )

But when my protein is very high I'm liable to get gout!.

EileenG

I've never heard of a single study which actually showed that high protein caused kidney problems of any sort. In fact, one study found (to the researchers' surprise) that people with existing kidney disease did better on a moderate protein diet than a low protein one.

The biggest danger to your kidneys is not drinking enough water. If you are dehydrated, your kidneys have to work much harder than normal and this is more likely to cause problems than protein.

Cole

EileenG wrote: »

...people with existing kidney disease did better on a moderate protein diet than a low protein one.

I think that is the key point.

Bog Butter

Some people eat whey to much protein.:D Sorry but i'm easily amused.

Cole

All these supplements could be creatine health problems.:D So am I.

Hanley

Cole wrote: »

I think that is the key point.

I think it's a key point for people with kidney DISEASE.

If someone with kidney problems improves on a moderate protein diet versus a low protein one, would it not be a logical follow on to say that for somone with NO kidney problems, a high protein diet wouldn't be bad?

And you'd think the fact this is backed up with scientific research (which I hope someone will post) should bury the notion that too mcuh protein causes kidney problems (I'm assuming for most people "high" = 250-300g per day)

celestial

in healthy people excess protein is just excreted from the body, and as such taking supplements may often mean you are *literally* pissing money down the toilet. As Hanley says re those with kidney problems there could be issues.

cardio,shoot me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcWIAt6pqLc big ron cant have enough protein, i heard he takes like 600g a day

EileenG

As I said, there are no studies to prove that high protein damages kidneys, but bodybuilders and gym rats in general are a group worth looking at. Most of them eat hundreds of grams of protein a day, often in the form of whey (the RDA for protein is something pathetic like 45g for a women), so if high protein caused problems, you'd expect it to show up here first.

Does anyone know a bodybuilder who developed kidney problems as a result of excess whey or chicken breast?

Ok, it's not scientific, but between us, you'd expect to see some sort of pattern.

alanceltic

Apologies for dragging up an old thread but this might be useful to someone looking back for information. I feel it is important to rebut some of the very misleading information posted as it might put some people in a very bad situation.

Firstly what is OK for one person might not be OK for another, the most important thing is that everybody's metabolism is different and its important for somebody to at least be aware of the possible direct link between protein & kidney stones.

There are 3 main types of kidney stones and they are all a symptom of a persons inability to breakdown certain compounds;

Calcium stones - as a result of a diet high in calcium oxalate or where a persons liver products excess amounts of oxalate.
Uric Acid stones - a by product of protein metabolism.
Cystine stones - genetic/not diet related but main cause is elevate levels of cysteine in the urine not helped by high levels of amino acids which are directly linked to protein metabolism (again).

So all in all protein does have a direct correlation with "some" types of kidney stones but the most important factor is a persons metabolism in the first instance.