An author, Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattana teng-umnuay stated that he has received many results of decreased kidney functioning value from those who do body building this starts a wrong belief like “Muscle builders have high risk for Kidney Failure ” And since they require a taking of high protein supplement many doctors also understand that the supplement such as whey protein could be a cause of “Kidney Problem”
Why we have that Misconception?
Today, standard examination procedures for kidney function value measurement are Creatinine (Cr) and Blood urea nitrogen-Check; furthermore, the creatinine level depends on body muscle mass when we get older our ages link to amount of muscle in the body ,the older the smaller, for that reason older people have their creatinine level decreased. In general, male body contains more creatinines than females and those who have buff muscles or always take supplement can also have high creatinine ( not more than 1.5mg%) which is why people think they may have a high risk of kidney failure.
Let’s find out! Can kidney disease affect the muscle builder?
Method to prove the misconception can be done with a special examination called “Cystatin C” muscle builder who slightly has creatinine more than usual but has normal value of kidneys will also have a normal level of cystine C including normal urine test result and kidney ultrasound.
Does high protein food .. really have effect on “kidney failure”?
The reason why doctors often tell patients who have kidney disease (the deteriated function of kidney ) that eating high protein foods such as meat and cow’s milk leads to kidney failure faster as these foods make the blood become more acidic the deteriorated kidneys then have to work harder to drive out the acidity which later leading to kidney failure condition.
On the contrary, in many ways for people with normal kidney function eating a lot of high protein foods doesn’t cause them kidney failure.
Therefore, we encourage every bodybuilder to continue doing their mission as the exercise is useful to both patients and normal people it decreases sugar level in blood , control blood pressure to prevent Osteoporosis and strengthen the join and muscles.
However, exercising too hard can cause the body acidic reaction due to the presence of lactic acid in the blood. Prevention is done by having sodium bicarbonate known as Soda Mint pill which is not the one used in alcohol drink. In addition, before and after the exercise you should have 3-4 pills of sodium bicarbonate instead of drinking water so the body can stay fresh and does not have to work intensively.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattana teng-umnuay
Specialist of kidney diseases (Nephrology) Phyathai 2 Hospital
Medicine Center 1st Floor , Building A
Phyathai 2 Hospital
Tel. +662-617-2444 ext. 4104, 4106
Phyathai Call Center 1772
