What are the consequences of excessive protein intake in CKD patients?

Excessive protein intake in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to several negative outcomes, and one of the most significant consequences is the accelerated progression of kidney disease. When the kidneys are compromised, they struggle to filter waste products from protein metabolism effectively. An increased protein load can result in greater production of nitrogenous waste products, which can create a higher burden on the already impaired kidneys. This can lead to a decline in kidney function over time.

Moreover, high protein intake is associated with increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) due to the larger amount of urea and other solutes that need to be cleared, which can put additional stress on the kidneys. In CKD patients, maintaining a lower protein intake is often recommended to help slow down the progression of the disease and to manage uremic symptoms better.

In the context of CKD, it is critical to balance protein intake to ensure that patients receive adequate nutrition while minimizing additional strain on kidney function. Thus, excessive protein consumption does not improve health or kidney function, does not decrease cardiovascular risks (which can actually be heightened with higher protein diets in certain cases), and cannot be deemed to have no significant health impacts, as it directly influences the trajectory of kidney disease