Overview
- Experts advise daily protein targets of about 0.8 g/kg for sedentary adults and roughly 1.0–1.6 g/kg for active people, with intakes above 2 g/kg only under professional supervision.
- Nephrologists explain that sustained high intake can trigger glomerular hyperfiltration, increasing filtration pressure and potentially stressing vulnerable kidneys over time.
- Standard-dose creatine at about 3–5 g per day shows no meaningful decline in kidney function in healthy users, though it elevates serum creatinine and can confuse lab results if not disclosed.
- Stacking protein powders with creatine, amino blends, or pre-workouts can raise the cumulative metabolic load, making hydration and careful tallying of total intake especially important.
- Doctors recommend periodic checks such as serum creatinine and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, prioritizing lean and plant proteins, and extra caution for people with CKD, diabetes, hypertension, or older age.