Kidney Failure Linked To A Diet High In Red Meat

Statistics link an estimated 26 million to chronic kidney disease in the United States, a health issue that can lead to kidney failure. Once kidneys fail, patients either need to undergo dialysis treatments three times a week or have a kidney transplant to remain alive.

New findings published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology show that a diet high in animal proteins, or red meat, can worsen the progression of the health problem.

"Our study found that patients with chronic kidney disease who consumed diets high in animal protein were three times more likely to develop kidney failure than patients who consumed diets high in fruits and vegetables," said Donald Wesson, M.D., of Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, in a news release. 

The study was based on data collected from 1,486 adults with chronic kidney disease who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, which is believed to be the largest one to look at the long-term impact of diet on kidney disease in humans.

The reason animal proteins can be so hard on the liver is because when the body metabolizes these acids, the kidneys produce substances that help the body rid itself of the acids that can hurt kidney function.

"It's like a double-edge sword," Wesson added. "In the short term these substances can help the kidneys get rid of acid, but in the long-term they can reduce kidney function."

While studies have yet to prove that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables can prevent kidney disease, previous studies have shown that switching from a diet that's high in animal protein to one that's high in plant protein can help protect kidney function.