Soy protein instead of animal protein and kidney function
What it found
In people with diabetes, swapping soy protein for animal protein usually lowered the filtering pressure in the kidneys and may have reduced albumin in the urine.
Some of the evidence comes from animal studies.
What they found
Studies in people
Protein intake in early disease
Cutting protein intake preserved kidney function in people with early diabetic kidney disease.
Filtering pressure in diabetes
Substituting soy protein for animal protein usually decreased hyperfiltration in people with diabetes.
Albumin in the urine
The swap may reduce urine albumin excretion in people with diabetes.
Animal and lab studies
Kidney disease in animals
Using soy protein instead of animal protein reduced the development of kidney disease in animals.
Other findings
Possible active components
Specific peptides, amino acids and isoflavones in soy protein may be behind the benefits.
Soy components in diabetes
Only limited data exist on how soy peptides, isoflavones and other soy components affect kidney function in diabetes.
What the authors conclude
“Further studies are required to discern the specific benefits of soy protein and its components on renal function in diabetic subjects.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say further studies are required to discern the specific benefits of soy protein and its components on renal function in diabetic subjects.
How it was done
Dietary protein plays a part in preventing and managing several forms of kidney disease, and the authors wanted to test whether soy protein protects the kidneys better than animal protein.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- Some of the evidence comes from animals, so it cannot show what happens in people.
- The data on soy peptides, isoflavones and other soy components in diabetes are limited.
- The findings are about people with diabetes and may not apply to everyone.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Kentucky, USA
The paper
- Title
- Beneficial effects of soy protein consumption for renal function
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Anderson JW (2008). Beneficial effects of soy protein consumption for renal function. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition.PubMed 18296369
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error