Looking for some advice on protein intake after donating a kidney. I’ve gotten some very basic recommendations that point to a much lower than 1g per lb than I have eaten historically, with justifications being very vague.
Howdy!
Welcome to the forum. As you probably know, the reason behind the lower protein intake of ~ 1 g/kg/day (give or take) is due to hyperfiltration. Your remaining kidney has to increase filtration rate to cover for the one that’s gone. We know that higher protein intake increases filtration more, so the theory is that decades of that could wear on a single kidney.
The evidence isn’t great that it helps. Donors followed for over a decade keep that compensatory hyperfiltration going with no apparent ill effects. A recent study found protein intake didn’t affect donors’ kidney filtration at all, and another study actually saw more filtration early on go with better long-term function. None of this is to say filtration doesn’t matter and we shouldn’t be cautious regarding kidney function. Instead, it’s just to point out this is a more complicated consideration.
For you, 1g/lb is about 2.2 g/kg, which is more than you need anyway. I suspect you’d see similar results at 1.4 to 1.6 g/kg, but you should follow up with your own healthcare team. They’ve got your labs and know your history better than I do.
Further reading/watching
- Barbell Medicine Guide to Protein
- Protein and Weight Loss: The Scientific Guide to Maximizing Fat Loss and Preserving Muscle
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Very good thank you for the help on that
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