Dr. Mohit Sharma MCh Urology AIIMS
Most of us have heard “eat more protein” — from gym trainers, diet gurus, and even well-meaning family. But if your kidneys are not working at full capacity, too much protein can actually speed up the damage.
Here is why: when your body breaks down protein, it produces nitrogen waste. Healthy kidneys filter this out easily. But in chronic kidney disease (CKD), those filters are already struggling — and extra protein only adds to their workload, pushing up pressure inside the tiny filtering units called glomeruli.
So what is the right amount? It depends on your kidney stage:
CKD stages 3–5 (not on dialysis): Aim for 0.55–0.8 g per kg of body weight per day. For a 70 kg person, that is roughly 40–56 g of protein daily — less than two chicken breasts.
On dialysis: The rules flip! Dialysis removes protein, so you actually need more — around 1.0–1.4 g/kg/day to prevent muscle loss.
At high risk but no CKD yet: Keep protein moderate, below 1.0 g/kg/day, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Clinical tip
Plant-based proteins (lentils, tofu, whole grains) are gentler on the kidneys than animal proteins — they produce less acid and less phosphorus burden. Aim for at least 50% of your protein from plant sources.
Always work with a Urologist, nephrologist and kidney dietitian before making big changes — the right target is personal, not one-size-fits-all.