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Among women from the Nurses’ Health Study with
mild renal insufficiency, high protein intake, particularly of
animal origin, was associated with a more rapid
than expected decline in kidney functioning (GFR). A causal connection
has yet to be demonstrated. Proteinuria or spilling protein in the urine is associated with a more rapid decline in kidney functioning. It occurs when there are abnormal levels of protein in the urine.
Normally, protein is not removed when the kidneys filter waste from the blood.
However, when the kidneys are damaged protein leaks through the damaged
filters and leaves in the urine, along with the waste. The appearance of protein
in the urine may be the first sign of an otherwise silent kidney condition. Higher blood pressures eventually also leads to increasing kidney cyst size and diminished kidney function. |