Table 3.
Summary of observational studies of protein source (plant versus animal) and kidney health
| Study Reference | Study or Location | Type | Size | Age (yr) | Follow-up Period (yr) | Variable and Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knight et al.12 | Nurses’ Health Study | Prospective cohort study | 1624 | 42–68 | 11 | Consumption of nondairy protein was associated with rapid decline of eGFR among participants with mild CKD |
| Lin et al.19 | Nurses’ Health Study | Prospective cohort study | 3121 | 67 | 11 | HP usually found in Western dietary pattern (red and processed meat, saturated fat, sweets) was associated with albuminuria (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.18 to 3.66) and rapid eGFR decline (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.03 to 3.03). On the other hand, DASH diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) had a lower risk of rapid eGFR decline (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.80) |
| Lin et al.20 | Nurses’ Health Study | Prospective cohort study | 3348 | 67 | 11 | Highest quartile of animal fat was associated with higher odds of microalbuminuria (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.64). Consuming two or more servings of red meat/wk was associated with higher odds of microalbuminuria (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.26) |
| Beasley et al.76 | Cardiovascular Health Study | Prospective cohort study | 3623 | >65 | 6.4 | There were also no significant associations when protein intake was separated by source (animal versus vegetable) |
| Lew et al.51 | Singapore Chinese Health Study | Prospective cohort study | 63,257 | 45–74 | 15.5 | Highest quartile of protein intake (from red meat) had 40% increased HR of ESKD (dose dependent). Replacing one serving of red meat with other protein sources was associated with a max relative risk reduction of 62.4% |
| Haring et al.50 | Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study | Prospective cohort study | 11,952 | 44–66 | 23 | Highest quintile of red/processed meat intake had 23% increased HR of incident CKD. On the other hand, highest quintile of vegetable protein intake had 24% reduced HR of incident CKD |
| Oosterwijk et al.84 | DIAbetes and LifEstyle Cohort Twente-1 Study (DIALECT-1) | Cross-sectional | 420 | 63±9 | N/A | The prevalence ratio for the incidence of CKD (<60ml/min per 1.73 m2) in the fully adjusted model was 0.47 (95% CI, 0.23 to 0.98; P=0.04) in the highest tertile of vegetable protein intake |
HP, high-protein diet; OR, odds ratio; DASH, Dietary Attempt to Stop Hypertension; HR, hazard ratio; N/A, not applicable.