Friday Aug 8, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Marckmann et al. at  Roskilde Hospital in Roskilde, Denmark published a review suggesting that a high protein diet based on meat and dairy products, which is often promoted for weight loss, can increase risk of glomerular hyperfiltration, hypertension and nephrolithiasis.

High protein diets are defined as having the protein content in a diet at more than 25% or more than 2 grams per kg body weight per day.  Generally, no more than 11% protein in a diet is sufficient for adults, according to Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a nutrition profesor at Cornell University .  In the United States, the average protein content in American diet is more than 15%.

The authors even claim that the evidence supporting the effect of high protein diets based on animal meats and dairy products on weight loss "is quite dubious".

High protein diets due to their adverse effects might increase the risk of chronic kidney disease in the general population without preexisting kidney disease, the authors say in their report. (David Liu)

Marckmann P, Osther P, Pedersen AN, Jespersen B.  High-Protein Diets and Renal Health.  J Ren Nutr. 2014 Aug 1.