06/11/2026
Your kidneys act as your body’s filtration system. They remove waste, extra acids and fluids from your system. Eating a lot of protein creates more work for your kidneys by increasing acids and waste products.
While your body needs protein, too much puts more pressure on your kidneys to filter and process all of those substances.
That extra workload matters, particularly as you age. Your kidneys naturally experience wear and tear over time. Adding excessive protein can stress a tired system.
High-protein diets may also increase inflammation and oxidative stress in your body. That can make it harder for your kidneys — and the rest of your essential organs — to function at their best.
How much protein should you try to consume every day? Recommendations in the U.S. changed in January 2026 to put a greater emphasis on daily protein intake.
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that adults should eat 1.2 grams to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. That’s a 50% to 100% increase over the old standard of 0.8 grams (g).
If you weigh 150 pounds, the new guidelines translate to eating between 82g and 108g of protein per day.
But the stakes are higher if you have kidney disease. That’s a big group, too, as it’s estimated that more than 30 million Americans have kidney disease — with only about 10% knowing it. Many people don’t have symptoms until the disease is advanced.
If you have kidney disease and eat that much protein, you’re putting more of a load on kidneys that are not working appropriately to begin with. If your kidneys are healthy, an uptick in protein is usually fine — particularly if you’re an athlete in training with specific dietary needs. But going overboard can be risky.
Animal-based proteins tend to produce more acids for your kidneys to clear from your system. That increases the workload and stress on your kidneys as they go about their job.
Plant-based proteins, on the other hand, tend to be easier for your body and kidneys to process.
