Does Protein Powder Affect Kidney Function? What Authoritative Guidelines and Public Sources Say, and Who Should Be Extra Careful
“A celebrity drinks protein powder for years and ends up with kidneys that look ‘70 years old’?” This sentence has been popping up on many people’s screens over the past few days. According to the person’s own account, as covered by multiple media outlets, Xiang Zuo mentioned on a TV show that he had been drinking protein powder for a long time and that his kidney function was “overaged.” However, according to reports, as early as 2019 his family had explained on a program that this was related to multiple factors — years of injuries from martial arts training and long-term use of painkillers — and was not solely about protein powder. Let’s be clear up front: this is one individual’s self-reported case, and it cannot be taken as evidence that “drinking protein powder causes problems.” Can protein powder be consumed at all? How much per day is appropriate? And who should be careful? This article explains it all at once, to help older family members who want to supplement protein avoid detours. ...