Kidney Stress

• The human body cannot use excess protein, so when you consume too much of it, your kidneys must work extra hard to filter it out of your system. The additional waste can strain your organs and cause kidney stones, especially for those already dealing with kidney disease (see References below). Kidney stress becomes even more of a concern with age, when organs are no longer functioning as efficiently.
  
  

Dehydration

• When you take in too much protein, your body has to compensate for the imbalance in your system. As your kidneys work to flush excess protein from your body, they excrete water with it. This can lead to dehydration, which may make you feel weak, tired and dizzy (see References below).
  
  

Calcium Loss

• The body releases acids as it processes protein. These acids are then absorbed by calcium. The more protein you eat, the more calcium your system needs. If your body doesn't have enough calcium available, it will take it from your bones (see References below). Inadequate calcium can cause osteoporosis, a disorder in which your bones become brittle and break easily.
  
  

Gout

• Gout, a type of arthritis, occurs when uric acid builds up in the joints, causing pain and tenderness. Healthy kidneys eliminate uric acid from the body, but when the kidneys are busy coping with excess protein, they are unable to process the uric acid quickly enough, which may lead to gout (see References below).
  
  

High Cholesterol and Weight Gain

• High protein foods that come from animal sources are typically very high in fat. Too much fat in your diet may cause a rise in cholesterol, which puts you at a greater risk of developing heart disease, even if your overall caloric intake is low. If the high protein foods you're consuming are also high in calories, you are at risk of gaining weight as well.