We came across research when assessing some of our client preferences for animal VS plant protein in their diets:
- Shark fins and meat content of neurotoxins linked to progression of Alzhemier’s disease
- Cancer biologist finding DNA damaging toxins in common plant based foods
- Bowel inflammation and disease in test panels who consumed high levels of meat and alcohol
- Long term effects of mortality in people with a predominantly red meat diet
If there’s one disease that you really don’t want, it’s kidney disease. Being stuck on dialysis machines for the rest of your life is no fun at all and there’s a strong case for that not only when switching or reducing red meat consumption but are pleasant effects for anyone on a diet for blood pressure, heart disease, .
So what could you do if you want to shift your diet with kidney health in mind?
Eat Plant Protein
Animal protein is generally bad for the kidneys, according to Nutrition Facts. The body can deal with it in the short term – say a few times a year. But if you’re eating large quantities of animal protein day in, day out, it will eventually take its toll on your kidneys.
Animal protein puts the kidneys under stress. It forces them into a state of hyperfiltration where they have to work much harder than usual to remove waste products from the blood. Kidneys are adapted to do this because, in the past, people would occasionally feast on meat. But they’re not able to sustain this action over the long-term. Eventually, they putter out, causing severe kidney disease.
Many people develop problems with their kidneys when they are young without even realizing it. The organs begin to accumulate damage which only shows up later on in life.
But the body needs protein, right? So what’s the solution?
It turns out that animal and plant proteins interact with the kidneys differently. If you eat a regular-sized steak, you’ll get around 30 grams of protein. Soon after the meal, your kidneys will go into overdrive hyperfiltration mode, trying to clear the blood. But if you eat a can of chickpeas and get the same 30 grams of protein, the kidneys will respond differently. You won’t stress them out and they will remain undamaged after your meal.
Sites like paulmanoharurology.com.au discuss kidney problems in more detail. There are some genetic conditions that put you at a greater risk of disease. But, mostly, problems emerge as a result of improper lifestyles.
The good news is that you can fix the problem quickly by changing how you get your proteins. Instead of doing what most people do and eat dairy, eggs and meat three times per day, switch to getting protein from plant sources.
All plants contain all of the essential amino acids that your body needs to survive, so you don’t have to worry about getting specific foods. All you need to do is eat a range of plant foods, and your body will do the rest.
If you’re looking for plant foods that are higher in protein than others, then choose legumes. In many legumes, protein comprises around 30 percent of the calories, which is actually higher than most animal foods. Plus, you avoid all of the heaviness and the saturated fat. Beans, for instance, are high in resistant starch which gets down to the colon and feeds you good bacteria.
There are many ways that you can enjoy beans. You can make hummus, make a bean chilli or make Indian spiced dal.
You don’t have to cut out meat entirely. But if kidney health is what you’re after, then it can help tremendously.