The kidney is an essential organ in our body because it filters blood and eliminates waste and other substances through urine. prevent damage to other organs and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. If the kidneys are not working well, … They can build up toxins, raise blood pressure and even increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Additionally, the kidneys help maintain a proper balance of water and salts (like sodium), which is essential for stable blood pressure and proper functioning of the heart and blood vesselsamong other functions.
This is why the recommendations for caring for the kidneys focus on maintaining the health of the whole body: a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, little salt and added sugars and trying to have a healthy weight, regular exercise and good rest. Not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and controlling blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol also promote good kidney health.thus helping to prevent serious chronic diseases that can affect the entire body.
Given the great importance of the kidneys in the body, some people may have doubts about how to take care of them, one of them being whether protein harms kidney health.
Nephrologist José Luis Górriz explains if the protein causes kidney damage
The doctor has spoken out on this question José Luis Górriz, head of the nephrology department from the University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, in an interview with her colleague Isabel Viña, in which she seeks to refute some false beliefs about the relationship between proteins and the kidneys. Thus, Viña asks the following question: “Does protein damage a healthy person’s kidneys?
The nephrologist José Luis Górriz specifies: “Proteins are essential for many missions of our body. Protein, conclusively, does not cause problems in healthy people.. In response to this response, Viña insists on clarifying this idea because it comes from a reference figure like Dr. Górriz: “You have just said forcefully that proteins do not harm the kidney, that is, I hope that this debate is now somewhat over.”
What is the role of proteins in this organ?
The nephrologist supports this idea by explaining in more detail what the proteins do in the kidney: “What they do is: they open the artery, the afferent arterioles or the microarteries that enter the kidney, and when they open it, they generate more pressure within the glomerulus. The healthy person has a capacity, called functional reserve, to act against this hyperfiltration or hypertension within the glomerulus. Absolutely nothing happens to a healthy person.“.
It should be noted that the glomerulus “This is a key microscopic structure of the kidney, responsible for carrying out the first phase of the blood filtration process. It is found in the nephron, the basic functional unit of the kidney, and plays an essential role in the balance of fluids and electrolytes, as well as in the elimination of metabolic waste from the body,” according to the Clínica Universidad de Navarra.
@isabelvinabas Does protein damage kidneys? This is one of the questions I get the most…and that’s why I wanted a nephrologist to answer it🥰 Dr. Górriz says it very clearly: in healthy people, proteins DO NOT damage the kidney. Not even the proteins in food. Not even protein powder. The problem is NOT the protein. The problem is excess body fat, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, poorly controlled blood sugar, excess added salt, lack of potassium, inadequate hydration, alcohol use, tobacco use, and overuse of anti-inflammatories and painkillers. This has a direct impact on kidney function and often goes unnoticed for years. If you would like to listen to the full conversation about: • how to tell if your kidneys are healthy • warning signs you shouldn’t ignore • realistic hydration • the key role of blood pressure control in kidney health • the safety of creatine in the kidneys and how to interpret your tests if you consume it, explained by a nephrologist • the role of salt in the diet • coffee consumption and its relationship to high blood pressure or dehydration • supplements that help and supplements that can harm You can watch and listen to the full episode of Tus Amigas Hormones on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts (as well as any free audio platform)🥰🥰 You have the link in my profile, share it with whoever still has this idea in order to transmit the philosophy of knowing more to fear less and choose better for and for our health ✨
♬ original sound – Isabelle Vina
To reinforce his explanation, the nephrologist adds this: “It is also true that We need 1 to 2 grams of protein per pound of weight, and there is no need to take excessive amounts. You can eat 100 or 200 grams of protein per day. If one day you eat a steak, nothing happens; The important thing is not to do it excessively or constantly. After a meal very rich in proteins, there may be temporary hyperfiltration, but this does not result in kidney damage in the short or medium term. No studies show that sustained high consumption in healthy people causes kidney damage. It’s another matter when the kidney is already damaged.
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