Do you take protein supplements to bulk up because your gym trainer recommended them? Doctors warn that blindly following such advice could put your kidneys at serious risk.
According to a report in The Times of India, nephrologists in Delhi are seeing a growing number of young gym-goers developing kidney damage linked to the unsupervised use of protein supplements.
Doctors say the trend is worrying because many of these patients are otherwise healthy individuals who start consuming large amounts of protein powders without medical guidance, often on the recommendation of gym trainers who may not fully understand the potential health risks.
One recent case involved a 20-year-old college student from south Delhi whose parents are doctors. He was admitted to PSRI Hospital after developing severe swelling in his face and legs — a clinical warning sign of kidney distress.
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Doctors told TOI that the student had no prior medical history. However, blood and urine tests revealed significant protein leakage from his kidneys, indicating damage to the organ’s filtration system.
Further investigation showed that the student had been consuming protein powders for six to eight months while training at a gym. Although he later stopped taking the supplements, nephrologists said the damage to his kidney filtration system had already occurred. Doctors caution that while kidney damage in some cases can be managed through treatment and lifestyle changes, in others the impact may be permanent, leaving patients with lifelong health complications.
At PSRI Hospital, doctors say they see five to seven such cases every month, many involving young adults influenced by social media fitness trends and eager to build muscle quickly.
“Protein powders can be harmful when consumed without professional medical guidance,” said Dr Ravi Bansal, director of nephrology and kidney transplant medicine at PSRI Hospital.
He explained that individuals should generally avoid consuming more than 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight unless medically recommended, as excessive intake can put stress on the kidney’s filtering units.
Dr Bansal also warned about the quality of supplements available in the market. Poorly regulated formulations may contain impurities or additives that can trigger allergic reactions or toxic effects in the body.
He added that natural food sources of protein are usually a safer option because they provide a balanced amino acid profile and better bioavailability without the risks associated with unregulated supplements.
Dr (Prof) Sanjay Agarwal, former head of nephrology at AIIMS, New Delhi, said many people start high-protein diets without assessing their kidney health.
“Our kidneys have a functional reserve,” he said. “If that reserve is already low or borderline, prolonged excessive protein intake can eventually lead to kidney damage.”