A troubling case
A recent case has added urgency to the warning. As per a TOI report, a 20-year-old college student from south Delhi was admitted to PSRI Hospital after he developed severe swelling on his face and legs, a sign that doctors say often indicates kidney distress.
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The student had no history of medical illness. However, blood and urine tests conducted at the hospital revealed heavy protein leakage from his kidneys, signalling damage to the renal filtration system.
Doctors who studied the case told TOI that the problem appeared linked to a six-to-eight-month period last year when the student regularly consumed protein powders while working out at a gym. Although he stopped taking the supplements later, doctors say the impact on his kidneys had already occurred.
Young gym-goers increasingly showing up with kidney issues
Doctors say such cases are no longer rare. At PSRI Hospital alone, specialists see around five to seven similar patients every month.
Many of them are young adults chasing quick muscle gains or influenced by fitness trends circulating online or in gyms. Without medical evaluation, they begin high-protein diets or start using supplements in large quantities.Also Read: Monalisa Marriage: Who is Kumbh Mela girl’s husband Farman Khan and how did she meet him? Her Kerala story explained
Nephrologists say the kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the body, and an excessive protein load can increase pressure on the organ’s filtration units.
Experts warn against unsupervised supplement use
Doctors emphasise that protein supplements are not harmless fitness products and should be consumed cautiously.
“Protein powders can be damaging when taken without professional medical guidance,” said Dr Ravi Bansal, director of nephrology and kidney transplant medicine at the hospital. “Unless clinically indicated for specific metabolic needs, individuals should avoid exceeding a protein intake of 1.2 gm/kg of body weight to prevent undue glomerular stress. It is critical to verify the purity of all supplements, as poor-quality formulations are frequently linked to systemic allergic reactions and unintended toxicities. Ultimately, natural dietary proteins remain superior to artificial substitutes, offering a balanced amino acid profile and better bioavailability without the hidden risks of unregulated additives,” Bansal added.
Dr (Prof) Sanjay Agarwal, former head of nephrology at AIIMS, New Delhi, said people often begin high-protein diets without knowing how strong their kidneys actually are.
“Our kidneys have a functional reserve. If the reserve is low or borderline, long-term excessive protein can cause kidney damage,” Agarwal said.
World Kidney Day reminder: fitness should not harm health
Doctors say the growing number of cases among young gym users highlights the need for greater awareness around supplements.
While treatment and lifestyle changes can sometimes control the damage, nephrologists warn that in some patients the impact on kidneys may be permanent. That means individuals may have to manage the condition for the rest of their lives.
Health experts say the safest approach remains a balanced diet and medically supervised nutrition plans rather than blindly following supplement trends in gyms or on social media.
