01/08/2026
In light of the new dietary guidelines promoting up to 1.6 grams protien per kilogram body weight coming out yesterday, I thought it would be fun to continue our Mr. McStoney series today with a lesson on protein.
🥩The evidence is abundantly clear that a high protein diet, especially coming from MEAT, can contribute to kidney stones in susceptible people?! When protein is metabolized, acid is produced. Your kidneys and bones have to neutralize (or buffer) that acid. This puts your bones at risk by breaking them down. That calcium from bone breakdown ends up in your urine, increasing the risk of kidney stones. All the extra acid also reduces the pH and amount of citrate in your urine - both of which increase risk of the most common types of kidney stones.
🥦Also, despite the fact that animal protein has ZERO oxalate in it, it could increase urine oxalate levels by promoting liver production of oxalate (which contributes to urine oxalate levels MUCH more than how much oxalate is in your food)
🥚🍒When protein is eaten as part of a balanced diet and not in excess, the alkaline (or base) produced by the fruits and vegetables helps neutralize the acid, protecting our bones and kidneys.
🙋🏼♀️Work with your dietitian to figure out how much protein you should be eating. For most people, keeping meat portions to no more than 3-4oz and choosing only 1 protein source per meal (meat OR beans OR eggs OR nuts, etc.) are good guidelines.
🍗Patients are often concerned about getting enough protein. However, if you eat any meat, poultry or fish, it is actually EASY to get enough protein in your diet to protect your muscles, even if your exercise. ❌You DO NOT need that protein powder they sell at the gym (or, likely all that protein being recommended in the new dietary guidelines).
Stay safe friends!
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