Giant Killer
06-02-08, 3:43 pm
Just had a good sit down and brain-picking session with my hospital's head Clinical Dietician and wanted to share that conversation. (Bolded are my questions)
How much protein do you recommend for the average individual?
1 gram per pound of bodyweight.
What would be the upper limit of protein consumption?
Well, patients with wounds to heal get greater protein amounts, usually around 2g/lb or even as high as 2.2g/lb, but that would be temporary for the sake of the kidneys.
What about an individual who is working out or bodybuilding?
I would recommend 1.5g/lb, but then you get into the effect of the protein on the kidneys according to the quality of the protein source. You must drink LOTS of water also.
What do you mean by quality of the protein source affecting the kidneys differently?
Well, first are eggs, they are the most highly bioavailable, then are things like meats, last on the list is milk and cheese products. The lower on the list of bioavailability they are, the more ADDITIONAL WASTES are produced that the kidneys must filter.
So eggs are the best, but then for milk, if you make that a main protein source, you are getting a lot more waste products that increase the load on the kidneys. For kidney patients we let them have only 1/2 cup of milk a day for this reason.
What about the quality of vegetable sources?
Vegetable sources of protein, as far as additional waste load on the kidneys are considered, are just above milk. Vegetarians have to combine protein sources to make them complete proteins, this could increase the wastes because of the increased actual amount of food being consumed relative to protein content.
So in order, the effect on the kidneys by protein sources is Egg (lowest effect), Meats/Fish, Vegetable, Dairy?
Yes that's right, but also make sure: plenty of water. Water, water, water.
Should I limit my intake of protein from dairy sources then?
For a person with normal kidney function this is not an issue. Everything in moderation
What about protein supplements?
Once again, it depends on the quality of the protein, the same as with food. Some companies make more quality than others. If it's really cheap than be careful. And DRINK WATER!
How much protein do you recommend for the average individual?
1 gram per pound of bodyweight.
What would be the upper limit of protein consumption?
Well, patients with wounds to heal get greater protein amounts, usually around 2g/lb or even as high as 2.2g/lb, but that would be temporary for the sake of the kidneys.
What about an individual who is working out or bodybuilding?
I would recommend 1.5g/lb, but then you get into the effect of the protein on the kidneys according to the quality of the protein source. You must drink LOTS of water also.
What do you mean by quality of the protein source affecting the kidneys differently?
Well, first are eggs, they are the most highly bioavailable, then are things like meats, last on the list is milk and cheese products. The lower on the list of bioavailability they are, the more ADDITIONAL WASTES are produced that the kidneys must filter.
So eggs are the best, but then for milk, if you make that a main protein source, you are getting a lot more waste products that increase the load on the kidneys. For kidney patients we let them have only 1/2 cup of milk a day for this reason.
What about the quality of vegetable sources?
Vegetable sources of protein, as far as additional waste load on the kidneys are considered, are just above milk. Vegetarians have to combine protein sources to make them complete proteins, this could increase the wastes because of the increased actual amount of food being consumed relative to protein content.
So in order, the effect on the kidneys by protein sources is Egg (lowest effect), Meats/Fish, Vegetable, Dairy?
Yes that's right, but also make sure: plenty of water. Water, water, water.
Should I limit my intake of protein from dairy sources then?
For a person with normal kidney function this is not an issue. Everything in moderation
What about protein supplements?
Once again, it depends on the quality of the protein, the same as with food. Some companies make more quality than others. If it's really cheap than be careful. And DRINK WATER!