How to Remove Extra Protein from Body: Addressing the Root Causes

December 27, 2025 •

4 min read

An elevated protein level found during blood or urine tests is most often a sign of an underlying medical issue, not simply from eating too much protein. To effectively remove extra protein from the body, the primary focus must be on diagnosing and treating this root cause, often with the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Quick Summary

Managing high protein levels requires addressing the specific underlying cause, which can include kidney or liver disease, dehydration, or certain cancers. Treatment involves medical intervention for the core issue, alongside targeted dietary and lifestyle modifications for better health.

Key Points

Underlying Medical Conditions: Most cases of high protein in the blood or urine are symptoms of a medical issue, not just a high-protein diet.
Medical Diagnosis is Crucial: A doctor must diagnose the root cause, which could be dehydration, kidney disease (proteinuria), or other specific conditions like multiple myeloma.
Targeted Medical Treatment: Treatments focus on the underlying condition, such as rehydration, specific medications for kidney issues, or chemotherapy for certain cancers.
Focus on Diet & Fiber: Adopt a low-protein diet only under medical guidance; otherwise, focus on balancing intake with more plant-based foods, fiber, and healthy fats.
Support Organs with Lifestyle: Promote kidney and liver health by staying hydrated, managing underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and exercising regularly.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to symptoms like foamy urine, swelling, or fatigue, and consult a healthcare provider for a proper evaluation.

Understanding the Root Causes of Extra Protein

Many people associate high protein levels with a high-protein diet. However, extra protein in the body, which can be identified through blood or urine tests, is typically a symptom of a health problem. There are two main clinical scenarios: hyperproteinemia (high protein in the blood) and proteinuria (high protein in the urine).

Conditions Causing High Blood Protein (Hyperproteinemia)

Hyperproteinemia is not a disease itself, but an indicator of another condition. The most common cause is dehydration, which increases the concentration of proteins in the blood. Other serious conditions include:

Multiple Myeloma: A cancer of the plasma cells that causes an overproduction of certain abnormal proteins (M-proteins).
Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: A rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that causes the bone marrow to produce too much of a specific protein.
Certain infections and inflammations: Chronic inflammation or acute infections can cause an increase in antibodies, which are a type of protein, in the blood.

Conditions Causing High Urine Protein (Proteinuria)

Protein in the urine is a key sign of kidney damage. When kidneys are healthy, they filter waste products from the blood while keeping proteins in. Damaged kidneys, however, may leak protein into the urine. Causes of proteinuria can include:

Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease is a major cause, as are other kidney-specific issues like glomerulonephritis.
High Blood Pressure and Diabetes: These conditions are leading risk factors that can damage the kidneys over time.
Heart Failure: Can impact kidney function and cause protein to leak into the urine.
Intense Exercise or Stress: Can cause temporary, benign proteinuria, but persistent symptoms should be medically evaluated.

Medical and Lifestyle Approaches to Managing Excess Protein

Since high protein levels are often a symptom, the treatment strategy is to address the underlying disease. This is crucial for preventing long-term damage, particularly to the kidneys.

Medical Treatment Strategies

Treating the Root Cause: For conditions like multiple myeloma, specific treatments like chemotherapy or stem cell transplants are used to halt the abnormal protein production. Infections are treated with antibiotics or antivirals.
Medication for Kidney-Related Issues: Doctors may prescribe ACE inhibitors or ARBs for those with kidney disease and proteinuria, especially if they also have high blood pressure or diabetes. Newer medications like SGLT2 inhibitors and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may also be used.
Rehydration: For cases caused by dehydration, increasing fluid intake, sometimes via IV, will normalize blood protein concentration.

Dietary Adjustments

For individuals with kidney or liver disease, a low-protein diet under medical supervision can reduce the workload on these organs. For others simply aiming for better balance, moderate changes are sufficient.

Choose Plant-Based Proteins: Swap high-protein animal sources for healthier alternatives.
Portion Control: Use smaller servings of meat and dairy, focusing on plant-based options.
Increase Fiber: Compensate for reduced meat intake with fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Limit Sodium and Processed Foods: High sodium levels can increase blood pressure and worsen kidney issues.

High-Protein vs. Lower-Protein Food Choices


Food Group	High-Protein Choices to Limit	Lower-Protein Choices to Favor
Meat & Poultry	Red meat, cured meats, organ meats	Smaller portions of lean poultry, fish
Dairy	Cheese, milk, yogurt	Rice milk, low-protein dairy alternatives
Legumes & Soy	Kidney beans, black beans, lentils, tofu	Limited portions as a side dish, not the main protein
Grains	High-protein bread, some cereals	Rice, pasta, low-protein bread and baking mixes
Fats	Nuts, seeds, nut butters	Olive oil, avocado, butter

Essential Lifestyle Changes

Alongside dietary modifications, several lifestyle factors support kidney and liver health and can help manage protein levels naturally:

Stay Well-Hydrated: Drinking sufficient water helps flush waste products, supporting kidney function.
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity supports a healthy metabolism and can improve overall health markers.
Manage Underlying Conditions: For conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, consistent management with your doctor is critical.
Prioritize Sleep and Manage Stress: Both play a role in overall bodily functions, including inflammation and metabolic processes.
Limit Alcohol and Quit Smoking: These habits are detrimental to both kidney and liver health.

Conclusion

Understanding how to remove extra protein from the body fundamentally depends on pinpointing the cause. For most individuals, high protein levels are not a result of dietary habits but signal an underlying medical condition. Management is a two-pronged approach, requiring targeted medical treatment for the primary issue, alongside supportive lifestyle modifications. These include rehydration, dietary changes, and adopting healthy habits to ease the burden on the kidneys and liver. Always consult a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan before making significant dietary changes, especially for a low-protein diet. This ensures you address the root problem safely and effectively. You can learn more about specific medical conditions causing high protein from reliable sources like the Cleveland Clinic.

Important Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

While staying hydrated is vital for overall health and supports kidney function, simply drinking more water will not cure the underlying cause of excess protein in your urine (proteinuria). It may temporarily dilute the concentration, but it won't fix kidney damage.

High blood or urine protein levels are usually identified through blood and urine tests ordered by a doctor. These levels typically signal an underlying medical condition, not over-consumption from diet, and a medical evaluation is the only way to determine the cause.

Excess protein can strain the kidneys, especially in people with pre-existing kidney disease. High intake, particularly of red meat, is also linked to an increased risk of heart disease and may lead to digestive issues like constipation due to low fiber intake.

A low-protein diet is only recommended for individuals with specific conditions, such as kidney or liver disease, and must be followed under medical supervision to avoid nutritional deficiencies. For healthy people, a balanced diet with adequate, not excessive, protein is best.

Symptoms of high protein often relate to the underlying cause. Signs can include foamy or bubbly urine, swelling in the face, hands, or ankles, fatigue, and frequent urination.

Focus on balancing your meals by increasing intake of fruits, vegetables, and grains, and using meat and dairy as smaller side dishes. Prioritize plant-based proteins and healthier fats, and consult a dietitian for personalized advice.

You should not stop exercising without consulting a doctor. While intense exercise can temporarily affect urine protein, regular, moderate activity is beneficial for overall health. Your doctor can provide guidance based on your specific condition.