# Korean cohort: low protein intake in chronic kidney disease linked to 42% higher risk of kidney failure

- Published: 2026-11-10 11:16 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Medicine
- Tags: chronic kidney disease, protein restriction, end-stage kidney failure, dialysis, kidney transplantation, JAMA Network Open, Chonnam National University Hospital, International Society of Nephrology
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-1e2fd0adb6bd2bd44837d073_korean_cohort_low/

**A follow-up of patients with chronic kidney disease at 9 hospitals in Korea linked extremely low protein intake to higher risks of kidney failure and death.**

![Korean cohort: low protein intake in chronic kidney disease linked to 42% higher risk of kidney failure](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/2e6a0ae349462e04.jpg)
*shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0*

The National Institute of Health of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported on 10 November that a team from Chonnam National University Hospital followed patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis at 9 hospitals in Korea from 2011 to 2024, according to yna.co.kr. [1] Extremely low protein intake was associated with higher risks of kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation, and of death. [1]

The researchers estimated daily protein intake from the nitrogen excreted in urine after protein is broken down in the body. Lower intake was associated with a 42% higher risk of progression to end-stage kidney failure and a 117% increase in overall mortality risk. [1]

Professor Seo Sang-heon said protein restriction has been a management principle for more than 100 years, yet evidence that it reduces long-term kidney failure and death was insufficient. He said the study shows that cutting protein indiscriminately may not help every patient, but does not mean a high-protein diet is advised. Intake should be set per patient by physicians and clinical dietitians. [1]

The International Society of Nephrology's 2024 guideline recommends 0.8 g/kg per day, as for other adults, rather than uniform strict restriction for patients not on dialysis. The results were published in JAMA Network Open. [1]

## Sources

1. [yna.co.kr](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261109131700530)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-1e2fd0adb6bd2bd44837d073_korean_cohort_low/