Are certain proteins better for your kidneys than others? pic.twitter.com/PwSlbPf5P1
— Dr Shawn Baker 🥩 (@SBakerMD) June 30, 2025
What if the kind of protein you eat could help protect your kidneys even if you have type 2 diabetes? Now a new study has just revealed a game-changing insight. It's not just how much protein you eat, but what TYPES of amino acids you're feeding your body. Researchers looked at dietary patterns in adults with type 2 diabetes, and here's what they found. High total protein intake was associated with greater risk of diabetic kidney disease, BUT certain amino acids told a different story. And our ketogenic amino acids, like leucine and lysine. These specific amino acids were inversely linked to kidney disease risk. That means that the more people consumed THEM, the lower the risk appeared to be.
Why?
Ketogenic amino acids don't flood the body with nitrogen waste the same way other proteins can, and that's a big win for the already stressed kidneys.
So what does this mean? Foods rich in ketogenic amino acids like eggs, salmon, and beef might actually protect your kidneys even on a high protein diet. This isn't just about counting grams. It's about understanding the profile of your protein.
If you want to find out more, check out Revero. We deal with the stuff all the time.
