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The kidneys are vital organs that filter the blood, removing excess
fluids and wastes from the body. One of the primary wastes is dietary protein.
Excess protein increases the flows and pressures in the filtering units (called
nephrons)—causing the kidneys to wear out and fail sooner. Within seventy years
of following the high-protein, Western diet people lose on average a third of
their kidney function, but this is inconsequential because of their reserve
capacity—as seen by people who function normally after removal of one entire
kidney. The damage from excess protein becomes critical when kidney tissues have
been previously lost for other reasons, such as injury, donation, diabetes,
atherosclerosis, and nephritis. With reduced kidney function the amount of
protein commonly consumed on the Western diet can result in progressive kidney
failure, dialysis, and transplant. A simple, highly effective way to preserve
kidney function is to reduce the workload on them by eating a diet with a
minimal amount of excess protein—this is best accomplished with a starch-based
diet, with limitation of legumes and a few other higher protein plant foods.
Medications commonly recommended to "protect" the kidneys are of limited benefit
with serious side effects and costs. They should be the last treatments medical
doctors resort to.
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Do not take this information as personal medical advice. Do not change your diet if you are ill, or medication without the advice of a qualified health care provider (your physician, for example). More detailed information is found in The McDougall Program - 12 Days to Dynamic Health (Plume 1990) in your bookstore.
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