Consequences of a Low-Protein Diet

Proteins, made of amino acids, are found in every cell of the body and comprise the majority of the skin, muscles, organs, glands, and bodily fluids other than bile and urine. The body needs protein to repair damaged cells and create new ones. Children and adolescents need protein for proper growth and development, and pregnant women need this nutrient to help their unborn children. The body produces complete proteins by means of amino acids. Essential proteins come from foods like animal products, beans and nuts. A low-protein diet has different effects on particular segments of the population.

Protein Needed in a Diet

• Between 10 to 35 percent of calories consumed should come from protein. The grams of protein needed depend on a person's age and caloric intake. Women need approximately 46 grams of protein, and men need approximately 56 grams of protein. The grams of proteins decrease for children and preteens. Teenagers' protein consumption is equivalent to that of adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most U.S. adults consume more a protein than the recommended daily allowance; therefore, many doctors prescribe low protein diets for health conditions that affect the kidneys.

Consequences of a High-Protein Diet

• High amounts of protein in a daily diet lead to a number of health conditions. These health conditions include heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and gout. People who consume large amounts of protein, particularly from saturated fat, increase their chances of being overweight or obese. Every Diet says that overeating protein for a long time leads to metabolic changes that cause bone loss and kidney stones. Consuming too much protein makes kidneys work harder to eliminate waste products from the body. Doctors who diagnose patients with kidney disease recommend low protein diets.

A Low Protein Diet and Kidney Disease

• The National Kidney Foundation says people with kidney disease experience appetite loss and fatigue because of the buildup of waste products in the bloodstream. A low protein diet reduces the workload on healthy kidney parts. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says low protein diets are low in sodium and potassium. Low sodium improves blood pressure and prevents fluid retention, and reduction in excess potassium protects the heart from arrhythmias.

How to Eat Less Protein

• The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that kidney disease sufferers on low protein diets should get consume the majority of their calories from complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates provide vitamins, minerals and fiber to diets and include foods like whole wheat breads, cereals and pasta, beans, peas, vegetables, and brown rice. The National Kidney Foundation says people should fill their plates with vegetables and consider meat as side dishes. Doctors recommend going to a nutritionist who specializes in kidney disease for an effective meal plan.

Negative Consequences of a Low Protein Diet

• The U.S. National Library of Medicine says that a low protein diet leads to malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Deficiencies include lack of essential amino acids, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and iron. Patients should follow guideline of their doctors and nutritionists and ask about taking supplements.