Eating more protein might make your kidneys work worse over time, according to a big study that followed a group of adults.

Eating a lot of protein might make your kidneys get worse faster, according to a big study that followed people over time.

If you're overweight or obese and on a high-protein diet to lose weight, your kidneys stay just as healthy — or may even get a little better — even if you already have mild kidney issues, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes.

Eating lots of protein makes your kidneys work harder in healthy people, but it probably doesn't harm them if your kidneys are already healthy. However, if you have kidney problems, high protein might make them worse.

Eating more protein is linked to how well your kidneys filter blood, even when considering other health factors like weight and blood pressure.

If you're overweight and your kidneys are working too hard at the start, going on a high-protein diet to lose weight might make your kidney function look more normal—not worse—by bringing down their overactivity.