Effects of Bodybuilding Supplements on the Kidney: A Population-Based Incidence Study of Biopsy Pathology and Clinical Characteristics among Middle Eastern Men

Abstract

Background: The incidence of kidney diseases among bodybuilders is unknown. Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2019, the Iraqi Kurdistan 15 to 39 year old male population averaged 1,100,000 with approximately 56,000 total participants and 25,000 regular participants (those training more than one year). Annual age specific incidence rates (ASIR) with (95% confidence intervals) per 100,000 bodybuilders were compared with the general age-matched male population. Results: Fifteen male participants had kidney biopsies. Among regular participants, diagnoses were: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), 2; membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), 2; post-infectious glomeruonephritis (PIGN), 1; tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), 1; and nephrocalcinosis , 2. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was diagnosed in 5 regular participants and 2 participants training less than one year. Among regular participants, anabolic steroid use was self-reported in 26% and veterinary grade vitamin D injections in 2.6%. ASIR for FSGS, MGN, PIGN, and TIN among regular participants was not statistically different than the general population. ASIR of FSGS adjusted for anabolic steroid use was 3.4 (-1.3 to 8.1), a rate overlapping with FSGS in the general population at 2.0 (1.2 to 2.8). ATN presented as exertional muscle injury with myoglobinuria among new participants. Nevertheless, ASIR for ATN among total participants at 1.4 (0.4 to 2.4) was not significantly different than for the general population at 0.3 (0.1 to 0.5). Nephrocalcinosis was only diagnosed among bodybuilders at a 9-year cumulative rate of one per 314 vitamin D injectors. Conclusions: Kidney disease rates among bodybuilders were not significantly different than for the general population, except for nephrocalcinosis that was caused by injections of veterinary grade vitamin D compounds.

Impact of nutritional protein supplements on liver and kidney functions among athletes attending gym

“…The work of A. A. Ali et al Kidney disease rates were not significantly different between bodybuilders and the general population[35].Schlickmann et al2021) found a link between liver function markers and the usage of dietary supplements, with a higher likelihood of having slight liver changes (AST enzyme)[1]. According to (A. K. Abbas 2017), the increase in the levels of AST, ALT, and ALP in the whey protein group implies a defect in liver metabolism[50].…”

“…In his paper, A. A. Ali discovered that the prevalence of renal disease within Kurdistan Iraqi body builders was not significantly different from the overall population when examined by age-specific incidence rates [35]. Furthermore, N. Santesso argues in his article that high-protein diets have no substantial link to unfavorable kidney consequences but do show benefits in terms of weight loss, BMI, and waist circumference [36].…”