Animal flesh (protein) breaks down into uric acid, which eats away at the kidney tissues. There are 20 million Americans at risk of decreased kidney function, primarily due to a diet rich in animal protein.
Kidney stones are also attributed to diets rich in animal protein.
Symptoms
There are no symptoms for early kidney disease due to a high animal protein diet.
Benefits of Protein
The body needs protein to function at its best. It’s recommended to consume approximately .3 ounces of protein for every 10 pounds of body weight.
The good news is that the body doesn’t distinguish between the health benefits of animal protein or plant protein, so knowing that animal protein can cause kidney disease, its common sense to make plant protein the preferred choice.
Protein benefits are:
- Bone health
- Helps you feel “full” and keeps you from over eating
- It provides amino acids that are necessary for the body to function
Dietary Intervention
To avoid kidney failure or kidney disease, transition from animal protein to plant-based protein. Make these protein-rich plants and seeds the foundation of your diet:
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Kale
- Spinach
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Mung bean sprouts
- Lentils
- Tempeh
- Beans (black, kidney, pinto, lima)
- Spirulina
- Artichokes
- Beets
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Mushrooms
- Lettuce
- Brussel sprouts
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Yam
- Zucchini
Grains
- Quinoa
- Oatmeal
- Brown rice
- Barley
- Buckwheat
- Wild rice
- Millet
Fruits
- Apple
- Banana
- Peaches
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Papaya
- Grapefruit
- Grapes
- Honeydew melon
- Cantaloupe
Seeds and Nuts
- Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- Peanuts
- Almonds
- Hemp seeds
Soy is only recommended as a transition food, since it is a processed food as well as genetically modified.
This list of plant-based protein is not complete, but it does show how easy it is to consumer plant protein instead of animal protein.
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Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
